The 2023 national champions now have five losses in 2024.
Michigan fell to Indiana 20-15 in Bloomington on Saturday. The loss dropped the Wolverines to 5-5 one year after the program went undefeated 15-0 and won its first national title since 1997. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers improved to 10-0, a two-fold achievement that marks the program's first-ever 10-0 start and first-ever 10-win season.
Final | Indiana 20 Michigan 15
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) November 10, 2024
Hoosier W. pic.twitter.com/iSNrTDoavZ
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) November 10, 2024
Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the contest. Michigan's quarterback woes continued as Davis Warren completed 16 of 32 attempts for 137 yards. Both teams failed to find success on the ground, as the Hoosiers ran for 40 yards and the Wolverines rushed for 69.
The Hoosiers took control of the contest when Rourke tossed a 7-yard touchdown to wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and a 36-yard touchdown to wide receiver Elijah Sarratt in the second quarter to make it 14-3. Indiana added a 40-yard field goal late in the first half to hold a 17-3 advantage at the break.
Following halftime, Michigan added two field goals – a 22-yarder after the Wolverines picked off Rourke at the Indiana 7-yard line and a 56-yarder following a drive that stalled near midfield. The Wolverines had a chance to tie the game when running back Kalel Mullings plunged in from 1-yard out with 9:35 left. However, Warren's two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete. Indiana later extended its lead with a field goal, and Michigan turned the ball over on downs before the Hoosiers ran out the clock.
Indiana's win adds to what has been a monumental season under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. The frontrunner to win Big Ten Coach of the Year, Cignetti has the Hoosiers in contention for a conference championship and College Football Playoff spot one year after the program went 3-9.
With three weeks left, Indiana will be idle on Nov. 16 before a top-10 showdown with Ohio State (Nov. 23) and a season finale versus Purdue (Nov. 30). Michigan will also be idle next Saturday. The Wolverines will then host Northwestern (Nov. 23) and travel to Ohio State (Nov. 30) to close its season. They need to win at least one of those games to become bowl-eligible in 2024.
