IN loses double overtime heartbreaker to MI

The Hoosiers now needs to win their final two games to get bowl eligible for the first time since 2007.

“I saw the quarterback look over to the slot, he had what he wanted – had the matchup he wanted on Delano Hill”, MI head coach Jim Harbaugh said.

MI entered the weekend with the nation’s best scoring defense and third-best run defense.

On Indiana’s drive in the second overtime, Howard gained 17 yards on the first play but the Hoosiers ended up with fourth-and-goal at the 2. “We’re exhausted of losing”.

This was a tale of two programs in distinctly different places.

After being outscored 21-9 in the first 25 minutes, in went on a 25-6 run, including a 10-0 third quarter, to take a 34-27 lead with 2:55 to play in the fourth quarter.

IU bolted right down the field with a touchdown, en route to what would be an 8-point halftime deficit.

In the end, it was just a 29-yard drive.

“It’s a little bit of what you see”, Rudock said. Sometimes, you poke the snake with a stick. Teams with postseason aspirations find whatever extra effort is necessary to close that kind of game out, especially at home.

Following a wild four-hour back and forth on Saturday, including four overtime possessions, Indiana’s upset bid of the 15th-ranked Wolverines came down to one play. Oakes kicked after IU quarterback Nate Sudfeld fumbled the ball, pushing the Hoosiers back 12 yards to the UM 22. Hill broke up a pass intended for Hoosiers wide receiver Mitchell Paige on fourth-and-goal from the 2 to seal the victory.

It unfortunately was a great day, and I thought this thing was over.

With a chance to still play for a Big Ten title, MI brings the A-game once again and won’t lose this one. Today’s game has an afternoon start time and will air on a niche TV channel as well as being made available as a live stream online option. “I’ve just got to make the play”. The running game has not been as road grating.

After Howard made it 41-34 with a fourth-down plunge in the first overtime, Rudock needed just two plays to tie the score at 41 with a 21-yard TD pass to Jake Butt.

The fifth-year senior threw one TD pass with two seconds left in regulation and two more on more on back-to-back plays in overtime, then watched excitedly as MI came up with a goal-line stand. The Wolverines still need a few other things to break in their favor (like MI State picking up a second loss) but first and foremost they have to take care of their own business.

MI will have mixed feelings following this win.