Michigan had every chance to walk out of Saturday with a win, and instead it walked straight into one of the most frustrating losses of the season. The 13-6 defeat to Indiana was defined less by what the players failed to do and more by how the game was handled from the sideline.
The clearest example came in the third quarter, with Michigan down 6-0 and sitting at the one-yard line with third-and-goal coming up. That was the moment to keep it simple.
Run the ball. Sneak it.
Do anything that put the offense in the most direct path to six points. Instead, Jason Beck called play-action, Carr was sacked for a seven-yard loss, and the drive eventually ended with a missed field goal.
That sequence summed up the afternoon. Michigan had three goal-to-go situations and never scored a touchdown in any of them.
The Wolverines settled for two field goals, including one with one second left to force overtime, but that still wasn’t enough. Indiana punched in a score on just a few plays in overtime, and Michigan, after Tommy Carr’s fourth-down run got a first down, came up empty again in the red zone for the fourth time.
Beck’s decision-making was the story of the game. He tried to run a play-action pass to Manuel Beigel, a former defensive tackle, instead of handing the ball to Jordan Marshall or calling a quarterback sneak from the one.
The result was brutal, and it wasn’t the only time Michigan left points on the field. The offense had several chances to make this a different game and kept finding ways not to finish.
The defense, meanwhile, did almost everything asked of it. Indiana never scored on a drive that started in its own territory.
Tommy Carr’s fumble and interception were the source of the Hoosiers’ six points in regulation. Zeke Berry’s interception turned into three points, and even as he came down with it, there was disappointment because he wasn’t going to take it back himself.
Josh Hoover finished 8 of 18 for 81 yards and an interception, and Indiana managed just 212 total yards. Michigan gave up only one explosive play the entire game, and that came in overtime. It was as clean a defensive performance as you can ask for.
Carr did enough to win, which makes the loss sting even more. The true freshman completed 20 of 32 passes for 167 yards.
He also got Michigan inside the 10 with two minutes left and delivered a huge conversion to Channing Goodwin. In overtime, he picked up a first down on 4th-and-5 with his legs.
But after that, the offense stalled again.
There were mistakes from Carr, and the sack late in the first half hurt. But the bigger issue was what happened around him.
On that end-of-half sequence, Michigan could have played it safer, run the ball, and lived with the result. Instead, the offense went for a long field goal and missed.
If that run happens and the kick goes through, Michigan wins.
This one was on the coaching. Not all of it, but enough.
Beck has now been the main reason Michigan has let several winnable games slip away, and this was another one that felt there for the taking. The defense was good enough.
Carr was good enough. The game plan and the play calls weren’t.
In Other News...
Michigan Still Has One Big Lineup Concern Ahead Of Indiana
Michigans third availability report for its upcoming game against Indiana brought no new changes, but it did reinforce the same concern that has been hanging over the week: the offensive line is still not where the Wolverines want it to be. Several players remain listed across the out, questionable and probable categories, leaving the front five as the biggest area to watch heading into the matchup.
There was at least a bit of encouraging news elsewhere on the injury front, with Kyle Whittingham saying safety Rod Moores issue is minor and not expected to keep him out long. Offensive tackle Andrew Babalola also appears to be nearing a return, which would help, but Michigan is still waiting for the line to look settled before kicking off against Indiana. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Fans Wont Believe The Flag That Helped Indiana Score
A controversial roughing-the-passer flag on Michigan freshman Tariq Boney became one of the early turning points in the game between No. 6 Indiana and Michigan, handing the Hoosiers 15 yards and a fresh set of downs after contact with quarterback Josh Hoover. The penalty kept Indiana's drive alive and helped it build an early lead, turning what looked like a routine defensive play into an immediate source of frustration for the Wolverines sideline and their fans.
Fox analyst Joel Klatt didnt hide his displeasure with the ruling as the game unfolded, calling out the officiating on air in real time. And with roughing calls already drawing attention in recent games, the flag fit neatly into a bigger conversation about how these plays are being judged, even if Michigan had little choice but to move on and keep playing. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Red Zone Frustration Just Put Jason Beck Under Fire
Michigans 13-6 loss to No. 6 Indiana was the kind of game that left the offense searching for answers on both sides of the ball. The Wolverines managed only 224 total yards, never found much rhythm on the ground, and had too many empty trips after moving the ball far enough to at least threaten. Kicker Trey Butkowski also missed two kicks, which only added to a night when Michigan couldnt afford to waste chances.
The pressure now turns toward offensive coordinator Jason Beck after a questionable play call drew attention from Kyle Whittingham, who said he took responsibility for the decision and its impact on the game. For a Michigan team that needs cleaner execution and better protection of possession moving forward, the margin for error is getting thinner. The next few games will show whether this was a one-off misstep or a sign the offense still has work to do before it can be trusted in tight spots. [Read more 🡒]