A sold out crowd was on hand Saturday afternoon as Indiana opened Big Ten play against No. 19 Michigan. The weather cooperated in Bloomington and cleared up a couple hours before kickoff.
This game was set up to be a high scoring affair with record setting numbers. And it was no disappointment, except for the final score. Michigan 42, Indiana 35.
Denard Robinson is worth all the hype. The exhilarating player had 19 carries for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also threw 16 times, completing 10 for 277 yards and 3 TD’s.
Michigan took advantage of the big play in the first half. Robinson’s first touch was no let down. He galloped 72 yards down the field for 6. Then after a defensive stand, Robinson found Roy Roundtree from 32 yards out for a score.
Indiana was strong on offense as well. Eight players caught balls for Indiana, including touchdown catches by Duwyce Wilson, Damarlo Belcher and Darius Willis.
The change in the flow of the game came at the 2:48 mark in the first, when Denard Robinson fumbled on the one yard line, and senior linebacker Tyler Replogle recovered. IU then went 99 yards to the end zone finishing with a Darius Willis 22 yard run.
The Hoosiers looked to tie it up midway thru the second but a poor throw by Ben Chappell was intercepted by Cameron Gordon in the end zone and Chappell tallied his first interception of the season.
Down seven just before half, Indiana had the ball first and goal with 42 seconds left. Poor clock management found the Hoosiers at 3rd and goal with four seconds remaining. The team played to win the game, went for it and Chappell found Belcher from two yards out to notch things up at 21 at the break.
Michigan came out of the locker room firing. On the second play, Robinson connected with Junior Hemingway for a 70 yard score…and they would never look back.
On the Wolverines second series of the final half, Robinson went to the sideline with an apparent knee injury. Tate Forcier then came in to complete a pass, and punt on fourth down. Robinson returned on the next drive.
Michigan was efficient throughout the entire game. The Wolverines had the ball just over 18 minutes compared to IU’s 41 minutes and 47 seconds time of possession. What’s most intriguing is the fact that Michigan’s offense averaged 12.7 yards per play. At one point in the second half, it was well over 16 yards per play.
It didn’t take much work for the visiting team to score, thus Indiana dominated time of possession and plays from scrimmage. Michigan’s scoring drive consisted of just 2, 5, 9, 2, 3 and 5 plays. Both effective and efficient.
This shootout stayed true to form. The two teams amassed 1,142 yards—Michigan with 574 to Indiana’s 568. Ben Chappell finished the game 45 of 64 for 480 yards (school record), 3 touchdowns and the costly interception.
Junior wide-out Tandon Doss had a career game for IU. 15 receptions for 221 yards and 342 yards from scrimmage. His kick returns have been solid, averaging over 22 yards per return. You will surely see Doss play on Sunday’s.
The fans cannot be underestimated today for both teams’ first conference game. The sellout speaks volumes about Athletic Director Fred Glass and the improving football program. Last year, Indiana improved ticket sales by record numbers and this year, season tickets were way up. Today’s game featured a capacity crowd of 52,929 ranking as the fourth-largest crowd in school history.
“The response from our student body and the general public has been overwhelming. This record-setting crowd reflects that people are excited about the direction of our football program and enjoy the new game-day experience at Memorial Stadium,” said Glass of tonight’s response.
The two powerful offenses put on a show. 11 touchdown, 0 field goals and over a 1,142 yards gained–a step in the right direction for this Hoosiers program. The fans embraced IU football tonight and stayed until the clock hit zero. The loss is difficult and frustrating, but cannot be undervalued. A sold-out crowd in a game that went down to the final play.
If you build it, they will come.