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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, September 26, 2009

CFB Top 25: No. 23 Michigan rallies to beat Indiana 36-33


By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Tate Forcier's 26-yard pass to Martavious Odoms with 2:29 left lifted No. 23 Michigan to a 36-33 win over Indiana today.

Donovan Warren's interception on Indiana's next snap sealed the tougher-than-expected victory for the Wolverines (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten), who were outgained by the Hoosiers (3-1, 0-1) despite being favored to win by about three touchdowns.

Forcier, whose TD pass in the closing seconds two weeks ago beat then-No. 18 Notre Dame, missed some plays on the game-winning drive after taking a hit and tapping his helmet as he looked to the sideline.

The freshman quarterback returned to convert a third down on a long pass to Odoms in the end zone.

Earlier, Forcier leaped for a TD and a 2-point conversion to put Michigan ahead 29-26, but Darius Willis put Indiana back ahead with an 85-yard run on the next play.

Michigan did not look impressive — until it counted — on either side of the ball.

Indiana had 467 yards of offense to the Wolverines' 372.

Forcier was 11 of 21 for 184 yards, two TDs and an interception after doing a 360-degree spin in the pocket and throwing an ill-advised pass that defensive tackle Nicholas Sliger caught. Forcier ran for a score and a 2-point conversion, diving into the end zone on both plays early in the fourth quarter.

Carlos Brown turned one of Forcier's short passes into a 61-yard score — a week after he ran for a 90-yard TD — and had a 41-yard score on the ground against Indiana. Brandon Minor had 50 yards rushing and a TD.

Ben Chappell was 21 of 38 for 270 yards and gave the Hoosiers a shot to win at Michigan Stadium for the first time since 1967 until his pass to Damarlo Belcher was ripped away by Warren on a play that stood after video review with 2:14 left in the game.

Minor ran for a first down on a third-and-1 and the Wolverines kneeled to drain the clock and keep their record perfect heading into their first road game this season against rival Michigan State (1-3, 0-1).

Willis ran for 152 yards on 16 carries and Tandon Doss had five catches for 104 yards.

Nick Freeland tied an Indiana record with four field goals, but was wide left on a 42-yard kick early in the fourth quarter that proved to be costly.