The Wolverine Now

BY JOHN BORTON I ndiana entered The Big House without its starting quarterback, without a Big Ten win, and without a lot of hope outside of a high-pro- file running back. The Hoosiers (3-5 overall, 0-4 Big Ten) left empty handed, save for a meaningless late score in a 34-10 thumping. Michigan (4-5, 2-3) warmed things up a little for the Homecoming crowd and left a glimmer of hope alive for a better November. The Wolverines manhandled the hapless Hoo- siers, rolling up 404 yards to Indiana's 191, the latter including 75 on a touchdown drive with the game long decided. Fifth-year senior quar- terback Devin Gardner (22-of-29, 220 yards, two touchdowns) found redshirt sophomore wideout Amara Darboh for 107 yards and a TD on nine catches, while redshirt sophomore tailback Drake Johnson gave the home folks something to talk about on the way home. Johnson came from obscurity to rack up 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 carries, handling more than 67 percent of the Wolver- ines' 184 yards on the ground. Michigan's defense did the rest, setting up a pair of touchdowns with fumble recoveries deep in Indiana territory. "It's awesome to see your work get reward- ed," senior defensive end Brennen Beyer said. "And we've been working really hard. This was a good win." It wasn't a great day for the Big Ten's leading rusher, IU's Tevin Coleman, despite what the numbers said. He piled up 108 yards on 27 car- ries, but only 41 in the first half, and was well shy of 100 before the Wolverines had the game wrapped up. "That just comes from knowing what to expect, watching film, being stout up front, our linebackers and D-line making plays, and our DBs coming in there too," Beyer said. Michigan never stopped coming and sent Indiana packing. The well-chilled Homecoming crowd saw 34 10 TOP FIVE PLAYERS OF THE GAME 1. Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Amara Darboh — Darboh put up a career game, with nine catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. He gave the Wolverines what they need to offset the attention given to junior wideout Devin Funchess. 2. Fifth-year senior linebacker Jake Ryan — Ryan was all over the Hoosiers, notching 11 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. He forced a pair of fumbles, including one to produce an early score, something the Wolverines had been missing. 3. Redshirt sophomore running back Drake Johnson — Johnson came out of nowhere for his 122 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 16 tries. He also stated his case for more action. 4. Junior linebacker Joe Bolden — Bolden pitched in with nine tackles, including a sack among a pair of tackles for loss. On a day when the Wolverines' defense barely budged, Bolden stood tall. 5. Fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner — Although Gardner experienced a couple of hold-your-breath moments on near picks (and one that didn't turn into points), he still went 22-of-29 passing with two TD tosses and 220 yards through the air. — John Borton

• Cover