After holding off the Hoosiers, Michigan turns its focus to OSU
The ANN ARBOR, MICH. — Michigan Wolverines looked like they were peeking ahead to playing Ohio State, turning an expected rout into a closely contested game.
Karan Higdon ran for a go-ahead touchdown early in the third quarter and Jake Moody set a school record with six field goals, helping Michigan beat Indiana 31-20 Saturday.
“When you’re in playoff mode — that’s our mindset, right — playoff wins are big,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Wins against Big Ten teams in late November are huge.”
The next one would be bigger if Michigan can pull it off.
The Wolverines (10-1, 8-0 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP) close the regular season against the Buckeyes, needing a win to reach the Big Ten championship game for the first time. If Michigan can win a road game in the series for the first time since 2000, it will be another victory away from likely earning a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“We understand the tradition and the meaning behind it,” said quarterback Shea Patterson, who will make his debut in the rivalry Saturday in the Horseshoe.
The Hoosiers (5-6, 2-6) were competitive against Michigan as they have been lately — losing in overtime twice in the previous three meetings — but came up short again.
Indiana led 17-15 at halftime and finished with more yards (385) than anyone has had against Michigan’s topranked defense this season. The Hoosiers also forced Michigan’s offense to stall in the red zone and settle for field goals.
Patterson was 16 of 28 for 250 yards with one touchdown, a 41-yard throw to Nick Eubanks in the second quarter. He threw his first interception in more than a month and had nine carries for 68 yards.
Indiana’s Peyton Ramsey was 16 of 35 for 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Ramsey also ran for 51 yards. Stevie Scott had 30 carries for 139 yards, scored a touchdown — extending his single-season, school-record total to nine — and lost a fumble for the Hoosiers. Scott has 1,033 yards rushing, the most by a true freshman at Indiana.
Michigan defensive end Chase Winovich left the game midway through the third quarter after appearing to hurt his left shoulder. Harbaugh said Winovich’s X-rays and CAT scans were negative.
Harbaugh said Berkley Edwards, who primarily plays on special teams, had a concussion. Edwards was put on a backboard and taken off the field on a cart after being hit by Cam Jones, who was ejected for targeting. Harbaugh said Edwards was taken to a hospital as a precaution, adding he was able to talk, respond and move.