Indiana still talking about what Denard Robinson did on Saturday
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Indiana thought it did all the right things against Michigan.
The Hoosiers more than doubled the Wolverines' play total. They had more than twice as many first downs. Indiana's defense kept Michigan's electric quarterback off the field for 42 of 60 minutes, and a sold out Memorial Stadium was ready to celebrate an upset.
And Denard Robinson still beat them, 42-35.
"We played a very, very good football team with some great players," coach Bill Lynch said.
Denard Robinson impressed the Indiana players on Saturday. He was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Robinson is clearly the best of the bunch.
He exploited the Hoosiers' most glaring weakness — stopping the run — and gave every other Big Ten school a game plan for how to beat them.
Almost every time the sophomore quarterback touched the ball, something magical happened. Robinson carried 19 times for 217 yards and two scores, the first and last for the Wolverines (5-0, 1-0). When he wasn't running, he was setting up teammates for their own big plays, and now the Hoosiers (3-1, 0-1) have to fix things.
It starts with better tackling.
Indiana has allowed 828 yards rushing, or 207 per game, and is yielding 6.3 yards per carry as it heads into the coming weekend's daunting challenge at No. 2 Ohio State, a team that has traditionally relied on the run.
"It's tackling, angles and execution," senior linebacker Tyler Replogle said when asked what Indiana's defense will focus on this week. "We're going to watch the film, we're going to learn from it and we're going to be a better defense."
The Hoosiers had better be.
To win three more games and become bowl eligible, they don't have a choice.
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor is equally proficient at running and throwing, like Robinson. Pryor also finds himself squarely in the Heisman Trophy conversation, like Robinson.
And also like Robinson, Pryor now faces Indiana with something to prove after getting hurt in the lead-in game.
Robinson's bruised left knee didn't seem to bother him at all Saturday.
But Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez was still upset with his offense's inability to seal the game late in the second half after stopping Ben Chappell & Co. on three straight second-half series.
"Every time, it seemed like we were a yard short," Rodriguez said. "That is the thing that is disappointing for us, that we had two or three opportunities to go up two scores."
Rodriguez's critique comes after Michigan rolled up 297 yards rushing and 574 yards on just 45 plays.
But after three straight games exposed cracks in Indiana's run defense, Robinson blew right through them.
He started the winning drive with runs of 8, 17 and 2 yards, then hooked up with Junior Hemingway for a 42-yard completion to the Indiana 4. And when the Wolverines needed one more big play, they kept the ball in Robinson's hands and let him run against the Big Ten's No. 10-ranked run defense.
The result: A 4-yard TD for the win that left the Hoosiers searching for answers as they prepare for another ranked opponent this week.
"He's No. 1 for the Heisman, he's obviously a great player. There's not much else that needs to be said," Replogle said. "They're a great football team and we've got another great football team (ahead). I think you want to play great football teams, especially after a loss."
Comments
Forever27
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
Dusty, that is exactly what I have thought. Yost was more like Rich Rod than people are willing to admit. His point-a-minute offense was built from the same philosophy as Rodriguez's spread offense is; score early and score often. Not to mention they are both West Virginia natives.
Dusty
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 : 2:25 a.m.
For all the talk about Rich Rod not being a Michigan Man, I think Fielding Yost would absolutely love this offense. Now shore up the defense and let's win some championships, shall we, Mr. Rodriguez?
Mick52
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 6:32 p.m.
Ditto clarklaker. Imagine where this team would be ranked if the defense had held opponents to half the points they have scored. I think Michigan would be in the top ten. The poor defense could be hazardous to starters who have to stay on the field. If Michigan could score this many points and allow few, back up players could get more game time and starters would be less exposed to injury.
jameslucas
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 4:32 p.m.
This is the week we play the ones formerly named the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, and AnnArbor.com is still writing stories about last weeks game.
clarklaker
Mon, Oct 4, 2010 : 4:06 p.m.
Indiana was denarded. I just wish we had defense to go with that great offense