Michigan vs. Indiana score, takeaways: Hoosiers finally challenged, but make history with first 10-win season

Indiana's defense could take it far 

Indiana's offense has stolen headlines this year, thanks to the strong play of quarterback Kurtis Rourke and the fact that the Hoosiers lead the Big Ten with 46.6 points per game. But while Cignetti's squad struggled on that side of the ball against Michigan, the defense shows that it has what it takes to win plenty of games this year. 

Sure, Michigan's offense has had its fair share of limitations The Wolverines have a revolving door at quarterback, and none of the options have impressed. The offensive line has taken a big step back, and Michigan hasn't had the same level of success with explosive plays in the running game. 

Even so, Indiana's defense kept Michigan from capitalizing on plenty of opportunities to take control of the game. Holding Michigan to a field goal after Rourke's interception inside Indiana's 10-yard line changed the game. The Hoosiers also came up big by stopping Michigan on fourth-and-10 late in the fourth quarter, allowing the offense to drain the clock for the win. 

Indiana was consistently dominant most of the game, though. Two of Michigan's scoring drives began in Indiana territory. Otherwise, the Wolverines crossed the 50-yard line just three times. Michigan quarterback Davis Warren completed just 50% of his passes for 137 yards and no score. The Wolverines also rushed for fewer than 100 yards as a team and averaged just two yards per carry. 

Sherrone Moore's coaching hamstrings Michigan 

Michigan had plenty of opportunities to outright win this game, but Sherrone Moore's poor coaching decisions got in the way every time. One crucial sequence shows that Moore was in over his head. 

Down 17-3, Michigan faced fourth-and-3 from Indiana's 42-yard line during its first offensive drive in the second half. Instead of going for it, the Wolverines allowed the play clock to hit zero and then punted after taking the delay of game penalty.

As it turns out, punting wasn't a bad strategy. Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke immediately threw an interception that gave Michigan the ball at Indiana's 7-yard line. The Wolverines ran the ball three straight times for a gain of four yards. That included an ill-fated designed run for quarterback Alex Orji, even though Indiana had such looks scouted out earlier in the night. 

Instead of going for it facing a 14-point deficit, Moore decided to kick the field goal. To save you the math: Indiana's lead stayed at two possessions in spite of Dominic Zvada's make. 

To put a bow on things, Michigan clawed its way back into the game but needed to stop Indiana with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Hoosiers ran the ball with the clock reading 1:35. Michigan stopped the play short of the first down mark to force second-and-2, but Moore let almost 20 seconds tick off of the clock before taking a timeout. 

Indiana converted on the second-and-2 and won anyway, but those would have been crucial seconds that Michigan could have saved if it was able to stop the Hoosiers. 

Indiana should never take its foot off the gas 

Final: No. 8 Indiana 20, Michigan 15

Indiana's second-half decision making was baffling, to say the least. It actually started late in the first half, when the Hoosiers got the ball back with less than two minutes to play and two timeouts. 

Instead of stepping on Michigan's throat and building on its 17-3 lead, Curt Cignetti elected to bleed the clock out and take it into the second half. He then carried that same strategy into the second half, to little effect. In fact, it was the sole reason that Michigan was able to battle back. 

Indiana held the ball for less than two minutes in the third quarter. That allowed Michigan's plodding offense to at least kick two field goals, the second of which made it a one-possession game at 17-9. 

Indiana's more conservative approach also magnified mistakes. Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt had a couple of crucial drops -- including on third-and-6 from Michigan's 23-yard line late in the fourth quarter, when a conversion would have effectively won the game -- that would not have mattered as much if the Hoosiers played better everywhere else. 

It was weird to see Cignetti sit on the ball when that hasn't been his identity at all this year. It's clear that he trusts his defense, but Indiana is going to have to keep its foot on the gas if it wants to even compete against teams like Ohio State. 

Michigan comes up just short 

Late 4Q: No. 8 Indiana 20, Michigan 15 

That should just about do it. Michigan, needing a touchdown to take the lead, went for it on fourth-and-10 from its own 33-yard line. Quarterback Davis Warren completed a short pass to Peyton O'Leary, who took the hitch and fell just short of the first down. Michigan does have all three timeouts, so it could get the ball back, but a first down ends the game for Indiana. 

Indiana can't shut the door 

Late 4Q: No. 8 Indiana 20, Michigan 15 

Michigan is going to have a chance to drive down the field and win this game, though it won't be easy. Indiana came close to effectively slamming the door on the Wolverines' comeback hopes. On third-and-6 from Michigan's 23-yard line, Kurtis Rourke was unable to hit wide receiver Elijah Sarratt -- who initially caught the ball but couldn't maintain possession as he hit the ground -- and Indiana had to kick a 41-yard field goal, which Nicolas Radicic nailed. 

So the Wolverines need a touchdown and will have a long field to drive. 

Michigan with a big chance 

Indiana is firmly in the danger zone. The Hoosiers had a chance for a huge play, but wide receiver Elijah Sarratt dropped a nice pass from quarterback Kurtis Rourke. On the ensuing third-and-11, Rourke was sacked for a loss of 14 yards. Michigan has quietly taken over the trenches on both sides of the ball, which is a big reason why the Wolverines are surging late. Now they have a chance to take the lead, down 17-15 with just over seven minutes left to play. 

Wolverines clawing back

Early 4Q: No. 8 Indiana 17, Michigan 15 

Finally, Michigan turned a prime opportunity into a critical touchdown. After sacking Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke twice in three plays and taking over deep into Indiana territory off of a 25-yard punt, Michigan marched down the field and made it all the way to Indiana's goal line. It still took some effort to finally get the ball across the plane; Michigan running back Kalel Mullings took to the air on fourth-and-goal and sailed into the end zone. 

Michigan's ensuing 2-point attempt failed, so Indiana still holds onto a narrow lead. The Hoosiers need to get a drive going. They've had the ball for less than four minutes since the start of the second half. That's a big reason why Michigan is right back in this one, with all the momentum right now. 

Michigan's defense changing the game 

Indiana is entering dangerous territory. The Hoosiers cannot stay on the field offensively -- they possessed the ball for less than two minutes in the third quarter -- and the start of the fourth quarter was a mini disaster for them. On second-and-17, Michigan blew up an Indiana screen for a loss of four yards. Then quarterback Kurtis Rourke was sacked for the second time in three plays, setting up a Hoosiers punt near their own goal line. Punter James Evans' kick went just 25 yards, giving Michigan another prime scoring opportunity deep in Indiana territory. 

Michigan eating away at Indiana's lead

End 3Q: No. 8 Indiana 17, Michigan 9

Dominic Zvada is Michigan's MVP this season. The Wolverines kicker just tied his career high and hit a boot from 56 yards out to cut Indiana's lead to just one possession. He is responsible for all nine of Michigan's points tonight, in spite of the fact that the Wolverines have had a couple of prime opportunities to score a touchdown. Zvada and Michigan's defense are the only reasons that this game is relatively close thus far. 

Otherwise, the offense is going through its typical struggles. Quarterback Davis Warren found some momentum late in the third quarter with short passes, but he was completely ineffective the moment Michigan fell behind the chains. 

Indiana's offense isn't without its own sins. Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke didn't complete a single pass in the third quarter. He also threw an interception inside Indiana's own 10-yard line that handed Michigan its second field goal of the game. Indiana was lucky that Michigan wasn't able to turn that interception into more. 

Though the Hoosiers have been in control most of the game, they have yet to really blow things wide open. As such, Michigan is doing enough to at least hang around. 

Michigan kicks a sad field goal

Early 3Q: No. 8 Indiana 17, Michigan 6

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke just handed Michigan its biggest play of the day. With his back to his own goal line, Rourke decided to keep the ball on a run-pass option play and tried to deliver a quick strike pass the line of scrimmage. Michigan defensive back Zeke Berry made a play on the ball like he was the intended receiver and came away with a crucial interception for the Wolverines. 

With a prime opportunity to change the dynamic of this game, Michigan's offense instead turned in three pointless runs and settled for a 22-yard field goal from Dominic Zvada. He made it and trimmed Indiana's two-possession lead to ... two possessions ... in the process. Not sure that's a good example of coaching to win. 

Michigan did not make noise 

Michigan at least got a first down to open the first half, but it didn't take long for a pivotal drive to stall. The Wolverines got into Indiana territory and initially looked like they would go for it on fourth-and-3 from the 42-yard line. Instead, they let the play clock run out, drawing a delay of game penalty before punter Tommy Doman came on to kick it away. It was a good boot at least; Michigan's coverage team was able to down it at Indiana's 4-yard line. Still, that was not the drive, or sequence of events, that Michigan needed to open the second half. 

Michigan needs to make some noise 

Michigan will start with the ball in the second half, which gives it a prime opportunity to flip the dynamic of this game. If the offense can actually get going, that is. The Wolverines did well defensively in the first half, all things considered. Indiana had explosive plays, but the Hoosiers can score in a flurry and Michigan made sure that things never spiraled out of control, even while its offense was struggling to so much as move the ball past midfield. The Wolverines' quarterback situation is what it is at this point, so former offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore needs to get creative -- knowing his team's limitations -- and make things happen before the dam breaks. 

Indiana up big at halftime 

Half: No. 8 Indiana 17, Michigan 3 

Aside from a couple of self-inflicted mistakes, No. 8 Indiana has been impressive with 17-3 lead after two quarters of play against Michigan. The Hoosiers are the only FBS team to lead by at least seven points by halftime of all of their games this season, and they're one of just two teams, with Oregon, to score at least 14 points in the first half of every game.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke is putting together another excellent showing. He torched Michigan's secondary in the first half, completing 14 of his 18 attempts for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He completed three passes of at least 25 yards, including a beautiful 36-yard bomb to wide receiver Elijah Sarratt for Indiana's second touchdown of the day. 

Michigan quarterback Davis Warren, meanwhile, was held to 7 of 18 for 83 yards. It will be interesting to see if the Wolverines continue to try and play two quarterbacks, since it seems like Indiana has it well-scouted. Alex Orji rushed twice for a gain of one yard, and his second carry resulted in a fumble after three Indiana defenders met him before he reached the line of scrimmage. 

Indiana defender ejected for targeting 

Indiana starting cornerback Jamier Johnson was just ejected for targeting. He lowered his helmet while tackling Michigan wide receiver Semaj Morgan. Though officials didn't throw a flag initially, replay review deemed that Johnson committed the foul. As one of Indiana's best defensive backs, he's a huge loss for a Hoosiers defense that has been playing well today. Johnson entered Saturday's game with 28 total tackles and one interception. 

Indiana tacks onto its lead 

Late 2Q: No. 8 Indiana 17, Michigan 3 

Indiana likely would have wanted a touchdown after pouncing on a fumble in Michigan territory, but the Hoosiers were able to expand their lead with a field goal. It looked like they would have first-and-goal on a completion to Myles Price. Offensive pass interference took that off the board, though, and Indiana was unable to convert on third-and-21. That brought Nicolas Radicic on for the 40-yard kick, which he nailed. 

Indiana defenses pounces on fumble

The whole two quarterback thing really isn't working for Michigan. After Davis Warren converted with his arm on third-and-5, the Wolverines turned to Alex Orji. Orji kept the ball on a fake jet sweep and Indiana was all over it, with three defenders meeting Orji before he could get back to the line of scrimmage. Indiana's Jailin Walker made a nice play to punch the ball out and the Hoosiers were able to jump on the fumble, giving them possession on Michigan's 48-yard line. If the Wolverines want to use Orji, they might want to at least try hiding the fact that he's going to run the ball. 

Indiana's gamble doesn't pay off 

Curt Cignetti clearly isn't happy with a 14-3 lead. He just decided to go for it on fourth-and-12 from Michigan's 33-yard line, looking to build off momentum from a big 41-yard pass from quarterback Kurtis Rourke to wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. earlier in the drive. The Hoosiers even took a timeout to think about it after initially lining up to attempt the conversion and doubled down. But the gamble did not pay off, as Rourke's pass to Elijah Sarratt fell to the turf. 

Indiana has Warren discombobulated 

Michigan quarterback Davis Warren has been under fire from Indiana's defensive front all game, and it's showing in how he navigates the pocket. The Wolverines signal-caller is clearly uncomfortable. He's missing on open receivers and having trouble keeping his eyes downfield when he drops back. Again, it doesn't help that Indiana's defense is getting through on almost every play, which means that Warren is having a difficult time trusting his offensive line. 

Rourke dropping dimes 

Early 2Q: No. 8 Indiana 14, Michigan 3 

This is the largest stage that Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke has played on thus far so, naturally, he's balling out. He just delivered an absolute dime to wide receiver Elijah Sarratt for a 36-yard touchdown to expand on his team's lead. Rourke put the ball in Sarratt's pocket with a defender bearing down on him as well. He's already up to 10 completions for 122 yards and two touchdowns and we're less than three minutes into the second quarter. Michigan's secondary could be in for a long day. 

Indiana up after one 

End 1Q: No. 8 Indiana 7, Michigan 3 

Michigan drew first blood, but it's Indiana that has the advantage after one quarter of play. After a slow start on offense, the Hoosiers were cerebral on their second drive of the game. They drove 75 yards in just seven plays, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke was able to log his 20th touchdown of the season by hitting wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. from seven yards out. 

Wide receiver Ke'Shawn Williams was huge on Indiana's scoring drive. He had three catches for 42 yards, including one spectacular toe-tapping effort that gained 26 yards -- Indiana's largest chunk play of the day. Indiana's defense has also been strong. The Hoosiers are winning in the trenches thus far, and that's clearly thrown off Michigan's ability to operate in rhythm, as evidenced by quarterback Davis Warren's unforced fumble on the goal line that stripped the Wolverines of a prime touchdown opportunity. 

Michigan WR Charleston carted off the field 

Michigan wide receiver C.J. Charleston was carted off the field late in the first quarter with an apparent leg injury. Charleston was in as a gunner on a Michigan punt and got his right leg trapped in the turf when he went to the ground. He remained down while trainers worked on him. Charleston has one catch for 22 yards this season. 

Indiana didn't trail for long 

Late 1Q: No. 8 Indiana 7, Michigan 3 

After Michigan took an early lead off the leg of kicker Dominic Zvada, putting Indiana behind for just the second time this year, it didn't take long for the Hoosiers to march right down the field and storm back ahead. They went 75 yards in just seven plays, capping things off with a 7-yard scoring connection between quarterback Kurtis Rourke and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. Indiana didn't face a down worse than second on that entire possession, as the Hoosiers were able to stay ahead of the chains and gain yardage in significant chunks. 

Michigan strikes first 

Late 1Q: Michigan 3, No. 8 Indiana 0 

Michigan had a prime opportunity to score a touchdown, but the Wolverines were forced to settle for three after their drive stalled deep in Indiana territory. Quarterback Davis Warren dropped back to pass on third down from Indiana's 3-yard line. Immediate pressure off the edge forced him to drop the ball, but Michigan was able to jump on it and at least preserve a scoring chance. Kicker Dominic Zvada broke the scoring with a 39-yard boot. 

This is just the second time all season that Indiana has trailed. The Hoosiers fell behind 10-0 against Michigan State last week before scoring 47 unanswered points. 

Michigan's offensive line takes another hit 

Michigan starting right guard Giovanni El-Hadi had to be helped off the field with an apparent lower-body injury. Dominick Giudice entered the game for him midway through the first quarter. Michigan's offensive line, which has had its fair share of struggles this year, can hardly afford another injury. The Wolverines have had various starters deal with injuries this season.

Michigan's defense holds 

Michigan could have its hands full against Indiana's offense today, but good start for the Wolverines. The Hoosiers got the ball first and converted on a third down before their drive stalled near midfield. Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke's third-down pass was batted down by Kenneth Grant and the Hoosiers were forced to punt. Michigan's offense now has a chance to make a statement and set the tone for a game in which the Wolverines are big underdogs. 

Michigan vs. Indiana prediction 

Indiana is for real. The Hoosiers faced their first honest bit of adversity (besides briefly losing quarterback Kurtis Rourke to injury) when they fell behind 10-0 to Michigan State early in Week 10, trailing for the first time all season. They subsequently ripped off 47 unanswered points to secure their ninth double-digit win of the year. The law of averages says Indiana is going to get taken to the brink at some point. It won't be this week. Michigan is spiraling and its struggling offense won't be able to keep up, especially since Indiana boasts the Big Ten's best rush defense. Pick: Indiana -14 (-110)

A look at Indiana's unprecedented success 

The job Curt Cignetti has done thus far is nothing short of miraculous. The Hoosiers are 9-0 for the first time in program history, and they have a chance to secure the program's first ever 10-win season this weekend. They're the only Big Ten team without a 10-win season on record. Indiana has already matched its win total from the last three seasons combined and is the first FBS team in the past 50 years to start 9-0 after winning just nine games the three years prior. Indiana also has the largest year-over-year improvement in points per game (plus-40.6) of any FBS team in the last half century. 

Michigan OL vs. Indiana DL a matchup to watch 

Amid all of Michigan's struggles passing the ball, the Wolverines can normally hang their hats on a strong rushing attack. That hasn't been the case recently. Michigan's offensive line, which has limped its way through a litany of injuries this year, has struggled to create running lanes in recent games. The Wolverines managed just 105 yards rushing as a team against Oregon, only 68 of which came from the running backs. It was their third straight game with fewer than 150 yards on the ground. Now they have to face an Indiana defensive front that not only holds opponents to just over 72 yards rushing per game, but also boasts the Big Ten's best pass rusher. Hoosiers edge Mikail Kamara currently leads the Big Ten with 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He also leads the FBS with 45 quarterback pressures. His 9.5 sacks are the most through nine games for a Big Ten edge rusher since Chase Young had 13.5 in 2019. 

Michigan stars plan to see things through 

In spite of Michigan's disappointing 5-4 season, its defensive stars aren't thinking about moving on anytime soon. First-year coach Sherrone Moore confirmed on Oct. 28 that cornerback Will Johnson, who has dealt with various injuries this season, has no plans of sitting out the rest of the yea, and a week later, star defensive lineman Kenneth Grant made a similar statement. 

"Will has no plan of just shutting it down or anything like that. Will, if he could go out there, he would go out there in a heartbeat," Moore said during a midweek press conference. "I know that he'll be back out there at some point this season. Whether it's this week, next week, or whatever it is."

How Alabama prepared Cignetti for big stage 

Long before leading undefeated No. 8 Indiana (9-0) in what could be the story of this 2024 college football season, Cignetti was closely watching college football's greatest coach and preparing for what he'd do when he finally got a shot at the big chair one day. That Indiana is a 14-point favorite over defending national champion Michigan this weekend (3:30 p.m., ET on CBS) speaks to how well he did in that department.

Those first couple of years at Alabama were challenging for everyone involved. The staff was largely new and hadn't worked for Nick Saban before, and the pace of getting the Crimson Tide back on top was unrelenting. If you couldn't keep up with Saban's work ethic, organization, and precise attention to detail, even on seemingly the most minute things, you wouldn't last long. 

Here's how Cignetti's time at Alabama prepared him for this moment: