Michigan avoided a disaster on Saturday at Indiana.
The Wolverines led 20-10 late in the fourth quarter, but allowed the Hoosiers to score 10 points in the final 3:27 to force overtime. But in the extra session, UM relied on its two strengths, its running game and defense, to ultimately come away with a win.
On the first snap of overtime, John O’Korn turned and handed the ball to running back Karan Higdon and he scored his third touchdown of the day on an awesome individual effort. Michigan’s offensive line was pushed back and Higdon looked like he had nowhere to go, but he was able to bounce left, make a few IU defenders miss and sprint 25 yards to the end zone.
When it was Indiana’s turn on offense, it looked like the game was quickly headed for a second overtime when the Hoosiers quickly moved the ball down to the 1-yard line. But the Hoosiers tried to run it in on three straight plays, all of which were stuffed by Michigan. All of a sudden it was fourth and goal from the four. This time, IU went to the air with QB Peyton Ramsey. He rolled left on a play designed to move the pocket, but had nowhere to throw and his pass was intercepted by Tyree Kinnel.
The interception ensured the Wolverines didn’t suffer a brutal loss. UM jumped out to a 13-0 lead and controlled things most of the way despite its completely inability to throw the ball. Indiana was able to claw back into the game in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 13-10, but a Higdon 59-yard burst early in the fourth to make it 20-10 looked like it would seal the deal.
Karan Higdon now has 162 yards and two touchdowns for Michigan.
UM leads Indiana 20-10. 10:25 4Q. pic.twitter.com/JcEybaxuuQ
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) October 14, 2017
But Indiana kept chipping away. With 3:27 to go, Ramsey hit Whop Philyor for an eight-yard score, cutting the lead to 20-17. After the score, IU looked like it recovered an onside kick but it was determined Simmie Cobbs was out of bounds when he hauled in the kick on a bounce. It was really close.
Michigan couldn’t run out the clock and punted it back to IU. Ramsey quickly led the Hoosiers down the field, allowing Griffin Oakes to drill a 46-yard field goal to force overtime. But ultimately, for the third straight year, Michigan was able to edge the pesky Hoosiers by a slim margin.
The win marks Michigan’s 21st straight win over Indiana. And more importantly, it kept Michigan in the College Football Playoff picture. Last week’s loss to Michigan State was disappointing, no doubt, and the UM offense failed to impress once again on Saturday, but there will be chances for the Wolverines to move up the rankings moving forward. That starts next week when they travel to State College to face No. 3 Penn State.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
