Indiana nearly went back to its backup quarterback Saturday in Ann Arbor. Instead, the Hoosiers stuck with Josh Hoover, and he delivered the game-winner.
Hoover fought for many Indiana’s 13-6 overtime win at Michigan, completing just 8 of 18 passes for 81 yards with one interception.
After the game, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti revealed that the coaching staff had discussed returning to backup Grant Wilson during the second half.
“I wasn’t even liking what I was seeing,” Cignetti said. “And there was a lot of talk about Grant Wilson and Josh Hoover in the second half because Grant had a good week of practice and he’s very skilled. He’s big, strong, can run.”
After halftime, the Hoosiers barely shot at all. Indiana attempted just two passes in the second half and overtime combined, and Hoover didn’t complete a pass in the second half of regulation.
The first of those two shots went to the Wolverines.
With Indiana leading 6-0 in the third quarter, Michigan’s Zeke Berry stepped in front of a Hoover pass for an interception. The Wolverines returned the field goal to cut the deficit to three. It was Hoover’s first shutout of the season.
Cignetti decided to travel with his starter, even though Hoover was not at full strength after suffering an apparent injury last week against Ohio State.
“I think at the end of the day we felt like it was Josh’s season and even though he’s not 100 percent, we had to finish it with him,” Cignetti said. “And he responded, and he’s going to get better physically from here on out.”
Hoover responded when it mattered most.
Indiana’s second pass attempt of the first half came on the first snap of overtime when Hoover found Brock Schott for a 21-yard gain.
One play later, Hoover ran it in from 4 yards out for the only touchdown of the game. Indiana’s defense was then held at its own 13-yard line, where Tommy Carr’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete to seal the win.
The victory had a lot of weight for the defending champions of the national team. Indiana avoided back-to-back losses for the first time under Cignetti and won at Michigan Stadium for the first time since 1967.
Michigan started Carr over freshman Bryce Underwood. Carr finished 20 of 32 for 167 yards, an interception and a fumble.
Indiana hosts Minnesota next week, when the Hoosiers will look to get their offense back on track with a healthier Hoover.
