Josh Hoover struggled for most of the second half but scored the game's only touchdown on an overtime run as No. 6 Indiana improved to 7-1.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti admitted his staff seriously weighed benching quarterback Josh Hoover during Saturday's overtime win over Michigan, a game that was more demolition derby than showcase. Hoover, dealing with an apparent lingering injury from the Ohio State game, wasn't on Indiana's availability report but clearly wasn't fully right. His second-half numbers were rough: just 49 total yards of offense for the Hoosiers over that stretch, and only two pass attempts from Hoover, one of which Michigan intercepted deep in Indiana territory to set up the Wolverines' only points late in the third quarter.
Cignetti said he and the staff discussed turning to backup Grant Wilson throughout the second half but ultimately stuck with Hoover. That patience paid off in overtime, when Hoover connected with tight end Brock Schott for Indiana's first completion since halftime, then capped the drive himself with a 4-yard touchdown run, stumbling into the end zone behind a blocker.
The defense sealed it with a stop to preserve the 13-6 final. It marked Indiana's first win at Michigan Stadium since 1967, and Cignetti didn't dress it up. "It was gritty as hell," he said. The No. 6 Hoosiers move to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Big Ten.