Offensive failures nearly cost Indiana football in overtime win at Michigan | Grades
· Yahoo Sports
ANN ARBOR — Indiana football ended a 22-game losing streak at Michigan Stadium on Saturday thanks to a stout effort from the defense.
The No. 6 Hoosiers (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) won 13-6 in overtime over the Wolverines (4-3, 1-3) despite putting up the second fewest yards of Curt Cignetti's tenure.
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Here's a report card for Saturday's win:
Offensive struggles created ugly showing for IU in win at Michigan
OFFENSE: F
Ugly stuff.
Josh Hoover did not look sharp, at all. He kept sailing throws high — a reoccurring problem this season — and worse, threw an interception that gave Michigan a short field. Wolverines corner Zeke Berry had an easy read on the play with Hoover staring down Nick Marsh.
The Hoosiers couldn't rely on their ground game either.
Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe Jr. remained consistently inconsistent with the duo struggling to generate chunk plays on first and second down (or short yardage situations). Indiana's average distance to go on third down was 6 yards through the first three quarters. Khobie Martin dressed out, but didn't get any snaps on offense as he works his way back from the arm injury he suffered in the season opener.
Indiana defense saves day in overtime win at Michigan
DEFENSE: A
Indiana's defense should be applauded for their second half effort. With the offense only putting up 49 total yards, and closing out regulation with two straight three-and-outs, the Hoosiers didn't prevented Michigan from taking the lead with repeated chances in the red zone.
The Hoosiers contained first-year Michigan quarterback Tommy Carr in the pocket and didn't allow any big plays in the passing game. Carr turned it over twice in the first half — he fumbled on the one and only option play his coaches called and threw an interception— to give IU a short field.
Tobi Osunsanmi deserves recognition for picking up another two sacks. He now has nine on the season, and at least one sack in seven straight games. He couldn't have picked a better time for the first one with Michigan lining up at the goal line. Carr tried to roll out on a bootleg, only to turn right into a bear hug from Osunsanmi. The Wolverines first red zone trip ended in disaster when they missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.
IU special teams bounces back, helps defense in win vs Michigan
SPECIAL TEAMS: A
Billy Gowers knew the assignment. Indiana's punter put multiple punts inside the 20-yard line, with one stopping dead at Michigan's 5-yard line. He put the Wolverines freshman quarterback in tough situations throughout the game and IU benefitted from it.
Nico Radicic bouncing back from a tough game against Ohio State was another positive sign on special teams. He made a pair of field goals on kicks of 22- and 34-yards to give IU a 6-0 lead going into the half.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Offensive failures nearly cost Indiana football in overtime win at Michigan | Grades