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The defense saves the Hoosiers and makes it 10-0

Vaseline November 10, 2024

BLOOMINGTON – Really pushed for the first time this season, No. 8 Indiana outlasted Michigan 20-15 on Saturday, notching the first 10-win season in program history. Here’s how the Hoosiers are rated:

VIOLATION: C+

IU threatened to turn this game into another laugh in the first half, outscoring Michigan 228-94 and opening a two-touchdown lead. Then things came to a standstill. The Hoosiers gained seven total yards in the third quarter, and spent the fourth battling to get out of negative territory. Michigan’s pass rush crushed Kurtis Rourke’s pocket time and time again. Normally, reliable receivers dropped passes. The aggressive, free-flowing offense that had buried one Big Ten opponent after another stopped cold in the face of Michigan’s tough defensive line, allowing the Wolverines to claw their way back into the game.

There is some injury relief here, as IU lost a starting guard midweek and then multiple skill players in and out of the game itself. Still, this was by far Indiana’s worst day on that side of the ball, and a wake-up call for Ohio State in two weeks.

DEFENSE: A

Considering how often it was put in tough positions, IU’s defense came away with some credit on Saturday. Michigan is no big shakes offensively. But a stop in the red zone after an interception by Rourke kept Michigan within a field goal when the Wolverines needed a touchdown, and while last week’s sack fest in East Lansing didn’t carry over into this game, Indiana’s front put Davis Warren under enough pressure to to make him scramble and speed him up, resulting in a number of overthrows and rescues.

Ultimately, a stingy defense and a crucial fourth-down stop finished the game. Another good day for a unit that steps out of the shadow of its attack here in November.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

James Evans’ bad kick set up a Michigan touchdown drive, but Ke’Shawn Williams’ return in the fourth quarter negated that. Michigan probably hurt Indiana more on the kick return than anyone else this year, though that was still a matter of degrees. Nico Radicic’s field goals ultimately proved quite important, even though the kicks were straightforward. IU was better here, but made winning plays when it mattered.

COACHING: B+

Indiana faced real adversity for the first time this year. Not a close game in the fourth quarter or down 10-0 early to an inferior opponent. But a team with rhythm and confidence was suddenly robbed of both, despite the most talented opponents it has faced so far this season. Saturday was a test of intent, but more than that of organization, adaptation and courage. It all becomes more real now and therefore more pressure, and sometimes Indiana needed coaching through that.

The Hoosiers held their nerve and held on. They faced a different kind of pressure for the first time this season and didn’t back down. Now they have a second bye week to clean up before Columbus.

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Aiden Fisher, linebacker

On an afternoon when the defense held the Hoosiers to perfection, their de facto captain gets the honor. Fisher finished Saturday tied for the Big Ten lead with 98 tackles after recording a remarkable 14 in IU’s win over Michigan. In a game that turned into a physical battle more than any other, no one epitomized Indiana’s ability to meet that challenge like their junior linebacker.

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