Indiana Close, But No ‘W’ Against Michigan in OT (WEB EXCLUSIVE PHOTO GALLERY)

Photo by Rodney Margison

Indiana gave the homecoming crowd just about everything it could have hoped for Saturday afternoon at sold-out Memorial Stadium. Everything, that is, but the victory.

Trailing 20-10 late in the fourth quarter, Hoosier quarterback Peyton Ramsey found Whop Philyor with an 8-yard touchdown pass with 3:27 remaining in regulation. Indiana (3-3, 0-3) attempted an onside kick, but the officials ruled that Michigan (5-1, 2-1) deflected it out of bounds, taking possession at their own 48 yard line.

The No. 16 Wolverines, however, were three-and-done and forced to punt, when Indiana began a do-or-die drive on their own 30 with 1:05 left to play.

Ramsey, a redshirt freshman, led the Hoosiers to the Michigan 28 with 10 seconds remaining, then threw the ball out of bounds with :02 on the clock. A Griffin Oakes 46-yard field goal sent the fans into a frenzy and the game into overtime.

Indiana won the toss and elected to start the OT period on defense. It only took the Wolverines one play, however, to set the stage for victory, a 25-yard touchdown run by Karan Higdon.

The Hoosiers threatened, reaching the 1-yard line and a first-down, but couldn’t convert. Ramsey’s final pass—on fourth and 4—was intercepted deep in the end zone giving Michigan the 27-20 win.

Ramsey was 20-41 passing for 178 yards, including one touchdown and two interceptions. Morgan Ellison paced the Hoosiers on the ground with 14 carries for 68 yards, and Luke Timian hauled in seven passes for 95 yards.

The Hoosiers travel to East Lansing, Michigan, this Saturday, October 21, to challenge No. 19 Michigan State (5-1, 3-0). Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.