Michigan Football: 3 takeaways from the bashing of Indiana

After trailing 7-0, Michigan football absolutely blasted Indiana in the mouth with an unstoppable offense and immovable defensive effort.

The Wolverines came out of the locker room like they were in a funk and could only dominate on the road. They only netted 17 yards in the first quarter and allowed three sacks, which is what they had given up all year coming into Saturday. Indiana took the lead on a double pass that found Jaylin Lucas wide-open in the endzone for six. They had Michigan’s defense on their heels in the first.

In the second quarter, the No. 2 team in the nation showed up. Blake Corum got in the endzone twice and J.J. McCarthy hit Roman Wilson on fourth and goal to go ahead for good. McCarthy flipped a pass to Donovan Edwards on the third scoring drive that got the crowd to its feet. Unfortunately, Edwards did not get the call for a touchdown and he seemed to be dejected with his body language and facial expressions afterwards.

It was more of the same after the intermission. McCarthy scrambled out of the pocket to lead Colston Loveland downfield for a 54-yard touchdown strike. Another short drive was capped off by a screen pass that set up Semaj Morgan to fight his way into the endzone. McCarthy wrapped up his day with only three incompletions and three touchdown passes.

The defense did their job again by turning over the Hoosiers multiple times in the second half. Michael Barrett got a sack and a fumble recovery on the same play. Keon Sabb intercepted a hail mary attempt for his second pick in as many weeks, while Mason Graham was ready to dawn the turnover buffs with his fumble takeaway.

Here are the three takeaways from the second straight week of Michigan football scoring more than 50.

1. Benjamin Hall outgains Blake Corum in mop-up duty

The freshman didn’t enter the contest until late, but he made the most out of his carries. He averaged over six yards a crack and led the team with 58 yards on the ground. Blake Corum had 52, which is his lowest total since 2022 Ohio State, but technically it was dating back to 2021 against Georgia in the playoff loss.

For Hall, it’s just the beginning of working his way to be the next in line behind Corum, perhaps as soon as next season. Hall’s longest run was for 19 yards, while Corum climbed into the top four on Michigan’s all-time touchdown list for rushers. He now has 12 on the season and 43 in his sensational career.

Donovan Edwards finally reached the endzone for the first time in 2023. The crowd went nuts and Michigan football fans on social media and his teammates were genuinely thrilled for him. The staff knew they had to get him a trip to the house after coming so close on Saturday and throughout the previous six affairs.

2. The offense scored on 8 drives in a row

It was an auspicious start for the Wolverine offense, but they flipped the switch in the second quarter. They answered Indiana’s 7-0 advantage by taking it 11 plays for six. J.J. McCarthy got the spark ignited by getting Colston Loveland involved. Blake Corum ended it with the first of two scores on the day.

Michigan football went 11 plays again on their next series with a fourth down conversion for six. They got the ball back before the break and that should have been the one that Donovan Edwards scored on, but Corum came in after a timeout was called by Michigan and took it away from him.

Two and a half minutes into the third, McCarthy and Loveland hooked up for a hard-working touchdown. Indiana gave it right back and McCarthy threw his third score through the air to Semaj Morgan who fought for every yard of it.

Edwards got his in the fourth, followed by a Jack Tuttle touchdown pass to another freshman, this time Karmello English got free with inches to spear.

3. It’s officially hate week

Michigan football is on a historic roll, they’re 20-1 since 2021. The Wolverines keep scoring more and more each week and the defense seems to give up less and less. In the last three games, they have outscored Nebraska, Minnesota, and Indiana 149-24. Nebraska had the most yards, while Minnesota scored the most points and Indiana gave away the football the most.

Mark Dantonio will be in attendance next weekend and will tell the green and white to pull out all the stops they can for the rest of their lives. The Spartans have to treat this one like they have a playoff berth on the line, even though that is not the case. The last time Michigan football went to East Lansing, Kenneth Walker ran all over them and they choked away a winnable game.

All that is meaningless now as Michigan State is on the clock. The Spartans are coming in limping to their game seven of sports rivalries.

There’s no doubt that they will give Michigan all they can handle and then some. This state war makes or breaks their season, whether they’re competitive or not. Harlon Barnett will have his group ready to win and the hostile environment will be hate-filled.