On Saturday afternoon Indiana defeated No. 2 Michigan 7-0, had the game lasted only the first quarter. Unfortunately for the Hoosiers, there are four quarters of football.
Indiana could not capitalize on that early lead, losing in Ann Arbor, 52-7.
The typical Indiana Football storylines were maintained throughout the game. A quarterback battle has returned. Unnecessary penalties cost the team repeatedly. An inconsistent secondary plagued the defense. The Hoosiers cannot play four straight quarters of quality football.
Before the game had even started, it was announced that starter Tayven Jackson would take snaps for the first two drives. Brendan Sorsby would take the next two and from there they would stick with whoever had the momentum. Head coach Tom Allen had previously said that Jackson was their guy, but Indiana is clearly not satisfied.
“We gotta find who’s going to be that person,” Allen said. “It’s going to be important we get a guy in there that’s going to protect the football and run the offense to the highest level possible.”
On top of the Jackson-Sorsby competition, Dexter Williams II, who has been recovering from a knee injury suffered last year, was listed as questionable for the first time this season. Fans can expect to see him thrown in the mix within the next few weeks.
“He was active as far as he was an emergency for us,” Allen said. “He’s getting closer. Hopefully, that will be in the next week or two we will get a chance to get him back on the field.”
Jackson was the first out on the field. The drive was a quick three and out. On the second however, the young quarterback looked calmer and more collected, leading the Hoosiers down to the red zone. The impressive march did not end so positively, with Jackson throwing an interception off of a tipped pass.
After a solid stand from the defense, Sorsby took the field. A flea-flicker to Donaven McCulley who launched the ball to Jaylin Lucas in the endzone resulted in Indiana’s only score. Sorsby stayed on the field for most of the game after that, with an occasional appearance from Jackson.
“I think it’s really hard to get yourself in a routine and get other guys in a routine,” McCulley said. “I’m not sure why they were flip-flopping, but I think it’s hard to get in a routine when you’re doing that stuff.”
That trick play gave Indiana a 7-0 lead. That was the first time Michigan trailed at the end of the first quarter all season. Rod Carey’s debut as offensive coordinator had a successful beginning, with 141 yards of offense compared to Michigan’s 17 in the first quarter.
However, that moment of greatness was short-lived, Michigan found their footing in the second quarter and suddenly the Hoosiers had no answer.
Indiana did not help itself. Not only were there four turnovers, but five avoidable penalties. Multiple times a play had the potential to turn into a positive for Indiana, but a silly penalty would bring it back. Sorsby found McCulley for what would have been a 37-yard gain, but the play was called back, half the distance to the goal due to a hands-to-the-face penalty. Marcus Burris Jr. took down Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy for a loss, but in a moment of anger and frustration a late hit was called on Burris.
“I’m just disappointed,” Allen said. “You can’t play a team like this, of this caliber, and have those kinds of mistakes.
That would-be sack would have added one more to the four sacks on the day. Michigan had only allowed three sacks up until this point in the season. The line put on the pressure, but the secondary was routinely lost on routes and beat in coverage, allowing 244 passing yards.
Despite playing the no. 2 team in the nation, these struggles Indiana is going through are issues that have been apparent throughout the season. Issues that should have been remedied by week seven.
Indiana’s next challenge comes on Saturday when they host Rutgers for Homecoming Weekend.
