Report card: IU loses first half lead, then game to No. 4 Michigan

Jordan Guskey | IndyStar

Show Caption Hide Caption IU Coach Tom Allen reacts to loss to No. 4 Michigan The Hoosiers weren't able to pull out the win on the road.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Indiana led No. 4 Michigan at halftime and looked like it might be headed for an upset, but as the second half went on the Hoosiers fell further and further behind. Here’s how IU (5-6, 2-6 in Big Ten) graded out from a 31-20 loss:

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OFFENSE: C+

IU started off aggressive against Michigan and that helped Stevie Scott get going. It’s why Scott was able to rush for 139 yards, in addition to a touchdown, and average 4.6 yards per carry on his way to breaking the program’s record for yards in a season by a true freshman (1,033 and counting). But sophomore quarterback Peyton Ramsey wasn't consistent enough for the offense to expand much on its 17 first-half points. Ramsey failed to complete at least 50 percent of his passes and paired his touchdown pass with an early interception. Also, while the offensive line created holes for Scott and Ramsey in the running game, the Wolverines had two sacks and five tackles for loss. Scott fumble once, too. IU's 385 total yards, the most Michigan's allowed this season, could have had more of an effect on the game.

DEFENSE: C

IU’s bend-don’t-break defense saw Michigan collect 507 yards of total offense. Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson threw for 250 yards and a touchdown and a group of rushers, including Patterson, combined for 257 yards on the ground. It’s why Michigan was on the field for 35:54 and put up 31 points. But it should have been more. The Hoosiers forced one interception from Patterson and repeatedly frustrated the Wolverines in the red zone. Michigan kicker Jake Moody had to take six field goals, all between 23 yards out and 33. The Hoosiers can take pride in their red zone defense but they also have to get off the field and do a better job of pressuring the quarterback. IU registered no sacks against Michigan.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B-

IU sophomore kicker Jared Smolar struggled to place his skied kickoffs, repeatedly giving Michigan good field position. (One even went out of bounds.) But junior Logan Justus nailed both of his field goal attempts and extra points, and junior Haydon Whitehead was effective punting. It wasn’t a glamorous day for the special teams unit but IU kept itself in the game more so than it took itself out of it at times. Maybe next time that fake punt works instead of coming up short.

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COACHING: B-

IU coach Tom Allen wanted his kickoff return men to call for fair catches and for Smolar to try kickoffs the way he did, which is why, on average, Michigan started with better field position than Indiana. At some point, though, Allen needs to give Smolar and the returners a chance to do a little more. Offensively, the Hoosiers were on the right track until the second half when the offense had too many drives stall and others ended by self-inflicted mistakes. Defensively, IU has to find a way to make bend-don’t-break not equal a mammoth day for the offense in terms of yards. Points matter more, obviously, but if IU gives a team like Michigan, or even Purdue next week, enough chances in the red zone, it will surrender touchdowns at some point. IU was aggressive offensively, it just didn’t work out all the time. That needs to carry over to the other two aspects of the game.

IU quarterback Peyton Ramsey reacts to loss to No. 4 Michigan The Hoosiers weren't able to pull out the win against the Wolverines.

PLAY OF THE GAME

IU senior wide receiver Luke Timian took flight to make a leaping, 30-yard reception midway through the second quarter for the Hoosiers that flipped the field and put them in Wolverines territory. The skill it took to make the grab was made all the more impressive because it was the second time in as many quarters Timian had shown he was capable of such an acrobatic play. He may not have come down with it during the first quarter, but when he did during the second the grab delivered a shot of adrenaline into IU’s drive and the Hoosiers ultimately came away with a field goal. At that time, IU was up 10-9. Timian finished with six receptions for 62 yards.

PLAYER OF THE GAME

Scott delivered a milestone but Patterson quarterbacked Michigan to a victory and totaled 318 yards of total offense for the Wolverines. Not often flustered, Patterson played with poise in the pocket after he worked out of a few missed throws early in the game and had his offense clicking to the tune of 31 points. He averaged 15.6 yards per completion and 7.6 yards per rush in addition to recording a passer rating of 136.8. The Wolverines are No. 4 in the nation and close to the College Football Playoff for a number of reasons, and he’s a big one.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Jordan Guskey on Twitter at @JordanGuskey or email him at jguskey@gannett.com.