Michigan Wolverines Slip Past Indiana Hoosiers in Double Overtime

Ina game that was too close for comfort and showed some weaknesses in the defense, the Michigan Wolverines managed to defeat the Indiana Hoosiers 48-41 in double overtime.

The lead went back and forth all game: 7-6 Wolverines after one, 24-16 at the half, 24-26 after three then 34-34 after four. If the Wolverines put a drive together, Indiana answered with its own. When it was all said and done, however, two Wolverines had career days.

First, there was Jake Rudock, who threw for a whopping 440 yards and 6 touchdowns. He went 33-for-46 and only threw a single interception. To compare, in the previous 9 games, he had only thrown 8 touchdowns. Total.

The team ran for 141 yards, to give the Wolverines 581 total yards. Who lead the team in rushing yards? That would be a man named Jake Rudock. That’s right. Rudock didn’t just show his talent through the air; he ran for a 64 yards on 7 attempts, as well. De’Veon Smith was right behind him with 12 carries for 58 yards.

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As for those 33 completions, almost a third of them went to the other star of the game, Jehu Chesson, who had 10 receptions, including one for 64 yards, totaling 207 yards and 4 touchdowns. Those 4 scores tied a school record for most in one game. The other two touchdowns went to Amara Darboh, who had the game-winner and 109 yards on 8 receptions, and Jake Butt, who had 82 yards on 7 receptions. 

Indiana played a great game, too. Quarterback Nate Sudfield went 20-for-34 with 220 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT. Running back Jordan Howard was a thorn in the side of the Wolverine defense, going 238 yards for 2 TDs on 35 carries, and kicker Griffin Oakes kept his team in the thick of it with three major field goals, including a 51-yarder. The team also rushed for 307 yards, to give the Hoosiers a total of 527 yards on the day, not far behind the Wolverines.

Both defenses had rough days. The teams had a combined 1,108 yards, 161 plays and 89 points. Rudock also became the first Michigan QB to have back-to-back games with 300+ yards through the air since Chad Henne in 2004.

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Penalties didn’t help the defense, either.The Wolverines had 13 for 72 yards, while the Hoosiers had 9 for 79 yards. There was plenty of blown coverage and a general “out-of-whack” feeling.

But hey. What’s done is done. Hopefully the Wolverine defense can get back on track before facing Penn State next week.