Indiana Trounced 52-7 By Michigan After Holding Early Lead
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — There are no such things as moral victories, but for the first quarter it looked like Indiana might claim one against second-ranked Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten).
That modest hope was short-lived. After leading 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Hoosiers (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) got flattened 52-7 by the far-superior Wolverines.
The two teams traded three-and-outs on their first drives of the game, but it was Indiana under new play caller Rod Carey that got things clicking first. With Tayven Jackson at quarterback, the Hoosiers picked up four first downs and moved the ball all the way to the Michigan 10-yard line.
However, that momentum quickly dissipated when Jackson threw an errant pass that was first deflected by Mike Sainirstil and intercepted by Rod Moore. The Indiana defense would come through with another three-and-out for Michigan, but that would be the last time Jackson saw the field during the first half.
Instead, it was Brendan Sorsby who came in at quarterback for the third drive of the game. The FOX Sports broadcast reported on-air that Indiana planned to rotate its two quarterbacks during Saturday's game. In his first meaningful game action in nearly a month, Sorsby led a 77-yard touchdown drive the culminated in a Donaven McCulley touchdowns pass to Jaylin Lucas.
It was a double pass trick play that completely caught one of the nation's best defenses off-guard.
Through the first quarter, Indiana's offense had 141 yards and seven first downs, compared to 17 yards and just two first downs for the Michigan offense.
But as most predicted, the tide turned.
Michigan responded with a 77-yard touchdown drive that ended with a Blake Corum touchdown.
The game would be rinse and repeat from there. Indiana moves the ball a decent bit, but not enough to get into scoring range and punts it back to Michigan. Then the Wolverines' offense marches down the field and scores a touchdown.
This happened on five straight drives for Michigan, as the Hoosiers' defense just ran out of answers. After Indiana failed to get a stop on fourth-and-goal with the game tied 7-7, there was little hope left for an upset.
Michigan went from down 7-0 to leading 21-7 at halftime to scoring 52 straight points and covering the 33.5-point spread.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy didn't see a snap in the fourth quarter after completing 14 of 17 passes and accounting for 249 yards of offense. Former Indiana quarterback Jack Tuttle played the fourth quarter for the Wolverines and led a long touchdown drive.
A game that started off with so much promise soon turned into another discouraging defeat. Indiana outplayed the No. 2 ranked team in the country for 15 minutes only to get destroyed for the next 45.
The only positive moment the Hoosiers had during the final three quarters of play was a physics-defying reception made by Omar Cooper Jr.
For roughly 25 minutes, this looked like it could be a moral victory for IU, if nothing else. No one expected the Hoosiers to stay competitive with Michigan, let alone beat the No. 2 ranked team in the country.
But giving up 52 straight points and failing to force a defensive stop for three quarters erased that good will. From the flip-flopping at quarterback to a porous defense to blown coverages to senseless penalties, Indiana looked overwhelmed and overmatched against the Wolverines.
Indiana is now halfway through its 2023 season and continues play in Week 8 when the Hoosiers host the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Bloomington. It's Indiana's 2023 homecoming game, with kickoff at Noon ET on Saturday, Oct. 21.
Related Stories on Indiana Football:
- JACK'S TAKE: Indiana rotated quarterbacks Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby during Saturday’s 52-7 loss at Michigan, but neither made a convincing case to earn the starting job. Dexter Williams II is close to returning from injury, adding another layer to the decision. Indiana needs to stop the rotation and pick one. CLICK HERE
- WHAT ALLEN SAID: Indiana football moved to 2-4 on the season after a 52-7 loss at No. 2 Michigan. Here's everything coach Tom Allen said after the game. CLICK HERE
- WHAT MCCULLEY SAID: Following coach Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers' loss to the Michigan Wolverines, wide receiver Donaven McCulley spoke to the media about the rotating quarterback situation between Tayven Jackson and Brendan Sorsby, and a whole lot more. CLICK HERE
- WATCH IU'S TRICK PLAY TD: Indiana's new offensive coordinator Rod Carey dialed up a trick play, resulting in a 44-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Donaven McCulley to Jaylin Lucas. The Hoosiers took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter against No. 2 Michigan. CLICK HERE
