Defense/ST Notes: Goal-Line Stand Preserves Michigan Win In Overtime
Michigan set a record against Indiana that it definitely isn't proud of.
The Wolverines picked up a school-record 16 penalties in their 27-20 overtime win against the Hoosiers in Bloomington, Ind.
Michigan could have had even more, except on one defensive play alone, it recorded three fouls and two were declined.
Despite the mistakes, the Michigan defense held Indiana to its season low in total yards — 278. Its previous lowest output was 308 yards at Virginia. The last time Indiana had that few yards was against Michigan in 2016 (255).
Redshirt freshman quarterback Peyton Ramsey was hounded by Michigan’s front seven all game, even leaving the contest briefly due to injury, and finished 20-of-41 passing for 178 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked twice and hurried four times.
Both interceptions proved to be crucial, with the first coming in the fourth quarter by sophomore cornerback Lavert Hill. The second, however, sealed the victory for the Wolverines in overtime.
Indiana faced fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line trailing by seven. Ramsey rolled out to the left and had to throw the ball up in the end zone so he wouldn’t be sacked, and Michigan junior safety Tyree Kinnel came down with the pick, ending the game.
“The goal-line stand was great, [it was] an opportunity for us to keep them out of the end zone, win the ball game,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Responded with the tackle for loss, incompletion, interception, the quarterback option run up the middle. It was a great four plays for us.”
The defensive stand came after allowing the Hoosiers to drive down the field in the final minute and kick a 46-yard game-tying field goal, courtesy of fifth-year senior kicker Griffin Oakes.
It was a flip from what the defense has done all season. Entering the game, Michigan hadn’t allowed a single fourth-quarter point all season, but gave up 10 to Indiana. Instead, Michigan nearly shut out the Hoosiers in the first half — allowing only a field goal in the final minutes of the second quarter.
“We knew what we were in for,” Harbaugh said. “We really did. We knew we were in for a football fight. Last time we were down here went to double overtime. This time it goes to overtime. Indiana’s got a veteran ball club and played very well, like they always do.”
Ups And Downs On Special Teams
Michigan’s star redshirt freshman kicker Quinn Nordin made both of his field goals attempts for the Wolverines and is now 14 for 16 on the season. That’s good enough to tie him for 14th-most made field goals in a season at Michigan. He’s still on pace (for 28) to top Remy Hamilton, whose 25 field goals in 1994 is a school season record.
With his 40-yarder Saturday, he also becomes one of just 13 kickers in program history to have made four kicks from that distance or longer in a single season. The last to do so was Matt Wile, when he made five such kicks in 2014. Surpassing 15 career tries also qualifies Nordin for the school's career record, and although he has plenty more attempts to come his 87.5-percent success rate would break the program mark of 82.9, held by Bob Bergeron (1981-84).
The Wolverines came up big on special teams when fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. Jr. blocked an Oakes' field goal attempt in the first half.
No special teams play was bigger than getting the ball back after an Indiana onside kick, with the score 20-17, appeared to be recovered by IU redshirt junior wide receiver Simmie Cobbs after — who also nearly burned Michigan for a 62-yard gain on offense before being overturned. The replay showed that Cobbs didn’t have possession of the kickoff before stepping out of bounds, thus giving Michigan the football with 3:27 left to play in the game.
Michigan also allowed dangerous IU punt returner and redshirt junior J-Shun Harris to nearly take one back to the house, but was caught inside the red zone. The 53-yard return is the longest against the Wolverines this season, and Indiana would score several plays later.
Miscellaneous Notes:
· Michigan sophomore cornerback Lavert Hill had his second interception of the season, picking off Ramsey in the fourth quarter. He had another called back due to pass interference earlier in the game. Michigan had two interceptions in a game for the second time this season, the first time coming against Cincinnati.
· Sophomore linebacker Devin Bush Jr. led Michigan in tackles with eight. He leads the team in tackles on the year with a total of 49.
· Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst Jr. recorded half of a sack. It’s his first of the season. Sophomore cornerback David Long also had his first half-sack of the year.
· Sophomore defensive lineman Rashan Gary had his second sack of the season. He also briefly left Saturday’s game with an injury, but returned.
· Indiana’s 278 yards were the most Michigan has allowed all season. The previous high allowed by U-M was 252 by Michigan State.
· Indiana was just 5 for 17 (29.4 percent) on third down against the Wolverines. The Hoosiers were more successful compared to what other teams have averaged against Michigan's defense on third down (18.2 percent).
The Wolverines forced seven three-and-outs.
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