Michigan beats Indiana 63-47 in shootout
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Devin Gardner set school records with 584 yards of offense and 503 yards passing and matched a Michigan mark with five touchdowns to help the Wolverines outscore Indiana 63-47 Saturday.
Michigan (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) lost two fumbles in the second half that gave the Hoosiers (3-4, 1-2) a chance to win in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1967.
Indiana quarterback Tre Roberson ran for a 15-yard score that pulled the Hoosiers within two points early in the second quarter.
But after Gardner fumbled at the Indiana 2 on the ensuing drive, Nate Sudfeld gave the ball back with an interception that was thrown well short of a teammate who had gotten past Michigan’s secondary.
That was Thomas Gordon’s first of two interceptions in the fourth quarter. The other one was at the Wolverines 6 with 2:57 left, helping them avoid an upset.
Michigan’s Jeremy Gallon had a Big Ten-record 369 yards receiving and two TDs on 14 receptions. Fitzgerald Toussaint had 151 yards rushing and scored for a fourth time with 1:12 left in the shootout.
The Wolverines set a school record with 711 yards of offense, and gave up 572 on defense.
Gardner completed 21 of 29 passes for two TDs and avoided throwing an interception for the second time in three weeks. He ran 15 times for 81 yards and three scores.
Through three quarters, Gallon had 343 yards and was within reach of the major college record set in 1998 by Louisiana Tech’s Troy Edwards with 405 yards receiving. Toussaint gave Michigan the desperately wanted running game it wanted — by a running back — with 32 carries.
Indiana had a lot of success with the ball, too, especially with its hurry-up offense.
Roberson was 16 of 23 for 288 yards with three TDs and an interception. He ran 11 times for 50 yards and a score. Sudfeld was 8 of 19 for 122 yards with a TD and an interception.
Tevin Coleman had 11 carries, none for a negative gain, for 78 yards and a score.
Kofi Hughes caught six passes for 138 yards and a TD. Cody Latimer had five receptions for 96 yards and a score. And, Shane Wynn scored on two of his four receptions.
The Hoosiers scored first, but both teams scored often.
Gardner and Toussaint combined for three TDs on the ground to give Michigan a 21-7 lead midway through the second half and it seemed as if the team, unranked for the first time this year, might coast to an easy victory.
The Wolverines’ shaky defense, though, couldn’t stop Indiana until the late in the game.
Michigan has won 19 straight at home, the longest streak by a BCS-conference team, and 18 in a row against Indiana. The Wolverines’ next game is Nov. 2 at Michigan State.