Michigan 48 Indiana 41

Isaiah Hole/247 Sports

They bent, and they broke, and then they broke some more.

The Michigan defense played far below what they were advertised to be, but came up big when needed.

On fourth and goal with their backs in the endzone the defense lined up for what could either be the final play of the game or the game clincher.

Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld did not hand off to workhorse running back Jordan Howard whom had torched the Wolverine defense all night.

Sudfeld slung the ball to his right, and into the endzone where Delano Hill was waiting. Hill jumped in front of the receiver and broke up the pass, ending the wild game and keeping Michigan’s hopes of a Big Ten Championship appearance alive after a 48-41 double overtime victory.

Jake Rudock shined, especially in overtime, going 2/2 with two touchdowns in the extra time.In fact, the Wolverines only ran three plays offensively between the two overtime periods.

Rudock finished the game with 440 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. Easily beating out his career/season high set last week with his 337 yard performance.

Rudock connected all night with wide receiver Jehu Chesson who finished the game with 207 yards, and four touchdowns. Jake Butt and Amara Darboh also each caught a touchdown pass. Darboh went over 100-yards as well, finishing with 109 on the day.

Michigan did however, struggle defensively on the road, a theme that has haunted them dating back to the Rich Rod era, as Howard ran all over them throughout the game for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

The Wolverines had previously only allowed around 80 rushing yards per game, but were without defensive lineman Ryan Glasgow.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh said in his post-game press conference that Glasgow will miss the remainder of the season with a pectoral injury.

Despite the poor run defense, the Wolverines did lock it up defensively in the pass game. Sudfeld threw for 220 yards, but the Wolverine pass defense came up big when needed in overtime.

With the victory against Indiana the Wolverines remain in the discussion to win the Big Ten East division. In order to do so, the Wolverines will need to beat Penn State next week, while Ohio State defeats Michigan State in their showdown next weekend as well. That would set up “The Game” to essentially be the Big Ten East championship.

The Wolverines travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State next week. Per Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News that game will be played at either noon or 3:30 p.m. it will not be a night game like some had presumed.

The Wolverines dedicated their game against Indiana for Chad Carr, grandson of Michigan legendary head coach Lloyd Carr who suffers from a brain tumor. Chad recently entered hospice care, and the Carr family celebrated Christmas for Chad on Saturday, and he was able to see an excellent Michigan victory on his Christmas celebration.

“I think the fellas were drawing on that at the end,” Harbaugh said after the game about the dedication.

#ChadTough

UPDATE 9:10 a.m.
Michigan at Penn State next week has been announced as a noon kickoff.