Grading the Hoosiers: IU football shows signs of life, but comes up short again

Indiana Hoosiers Peyton Ramsey (3) is chased by Michigan Wolverines defensive back Drake Harris (6) at Memorial Stadium.

BLOOMINGTON – Another close loss at home to a ranked team, another frustrating afternoon for Indiana University football. Here’s how the Hoosiers graded out, after a 27-20 overtime loss to No. 16 Michigan.

OFFENSE

C+

Graded on a curve, considering Michigan’s defense is so good. Yes, IU struggled to move the ball all day. Yes, the run game was anemic and Peyton Ramsey threw two picks. No, it’s not OK that Simmie Cobbs finished with just 39 yards receiving. But IU gained more yards and scored more points than any other Michigan opponent so far this season. The Hoosiers ripped off 10 in the game’s final minutes to force overtime, and came within two yards of forcing a second OT period. For a redshirt freshman, Ramsey was very good on the last drive of regulation. There’s a lot to work on there, but when you consider the circumstances, Indiana’s offense wasn’t as bad as it seemed Saturday.

►MORE: 3 reasons Indiana lost to Michigan, 27-20

DEFENSE

B-

Indiana was bad at both ends and superb in the middle of Saturday’s game. Michigan scored on its first three drives, then didn’t dent the scoreboard again for almost 45 minutes. John O’Korn only managed 58 passing yards. This was good. Michigan also finished with 271 team rushing yards. Karan Higdon tore off two back-breaking touchdown runs, one of 59 yards in the fourth quarter and then the eventual game-winner from 25 yards in overtime. IU didn’t force any turnovers, and it didn’t sack O’Korn. This is a good defense. Most of the time, against most opponents, it is a stout defense. But it is not a defense that is changing games often enough, particularly given IU coach Tom Allen’s emphasis on takeaways. That has to change.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Indiana kicker Griffin Oakes (92) kicks a field goal during the first half an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.

B-

There were rough moments early — the blocked field goal and Devonte Williams fielding a kickoff inside the 15 that was otherwise going out of bounds for a procedure penalty. But IU’s special teams redeemed itself in a big way late. J-Shun Harris’ fourth-quarter punt return set up a touchdown, and then Griffin Oakes 46-yard field goal forced overtime. Oakes said afterward that he would’ve traded the field goal for a touchdown any day, and Allen would too. But after a rough start, IU was solid on special teams.

COACHING

B-

The offense still feels stunted sometimes, and the lack of a go-to running back is glaring. Only once this season has an IU back broken 75 yards. Cobbs was credited with 10 targets Saturday, but managed just four catches. And that defense needs to produce more game-changing plays. But in the final telling, Indiana rallied from a poor start and forced overtime against a Michigan team that looked willing to turn on cruise control as soon as it could.

PLAY OF THE GAME

Michigan running back Karan Higdon, center, runs between Indiana defenders Greg Gooch, left, and Chase Dutra during the first half an NCAA college football game in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017.

Higdon looked bottled up in the backfield on Michigan’s first overtime play, with Hoosiers swarming. It would have set the Wolverines back to start their OT possession and given IU’s defense another boost of momentum on a broadly good day. But Higdon broke contain, cornerback Andre Brown didn’t see him in time and the Michigan running back bounced to the outside and all the way to end zone for a 25-yard touchdown. It was Michigan’s only overtime play, and it would be the game-winner.  

PLAYER OF THE GAME

That was one of three touchdowns Higdon scored, with another coming from 59 yards on perhaps the game’s defining drive. IU backed Michigan up to its own 16, had field position flipped and, it seemed, was building momentum. After a couple of first downs, IU called timeout to regroup. On the next play, Higdon cut left and sprinted for the end zone. He finished with the afternoon’s two most memorable moments, plus 200 yards rushing and those scores.

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.