ANN ARBOR — For the first two drives of Michigan’s 52-7 beatdown of Indiana, redshirt freshman quarterback Tayven Jackson led the Hoosiers’ offense. Mix a three-and-out with a promising drive in which Jackson was efficiently moving the ball downfield — albeit ending in an interception — and in comes redshirt freshman quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
Sorsby’s first drive commanding the offense resulted in a touchdown, giving the Hoosiers an early 7-0 lead against the No. 2 team in the country. A backward lateral from Sorsby to former quarterback-turned-wide receiver Donaven McCulley gave sophomore running back Jaylin Lucas an escape behind the Wolverines’ defense to haul in the 44-yard toss from McCulley.
While Sorsby and the offense found success in his first series, gaining a total of 77 yards, the Hoosiers’ offense racked up just 62 yards of total offense from that point forward. Sorsby was the quarterback for the following four drives until the two alternated throughout the rest of the game.
“That was the plan, you know, we met with the guys earlier in the week and told them we were going to do exactly what we did,” Indiana head coach Tom Allen said postgame. “We were going to play Tayven (Jackson) the first two series and play Brendan (Sorsby) the third and the fourth series and then just kind of see who had the hot hand and who was playing the best.”
While Sorsby saw the field more than Jackson did on a windy and rainy Saturday afternoon, he went just six-for-15 for 44 yards and tacked on 30 rushing yards on 13 carries. While Sorsby left much to be desired, he turned the ball over just once compared to Jackson’s three turnovers.
“We had a couple fumbles that we can’t have at the quarterback position,” Allen said. “And then just throwing the football and making sure we are doing a good job of protecting it. It’s partly the call at times and sometimes it’s being able to execute the calls and do a great job of catching the football and getting upfield.”
Jackson quarterbacked just four plays in the second half — one resulting in a fumble and another in an interception. Allen planned to have Jackson under center more frequently in the second half, but the University of Tennessee transfer had a “situation” with his throwing hand, as Allen explained.
Looking ahead to the final six games of the season, Allen explained that he and his coaching staff won’t continue to alternate quarterbacks.
“We’ll make a decision on who we feel like needs to be the guy,” Allen said. “I was just trying to use this as an opportunity to see who would step up and take it, hoping that one of them would’ve done that.”
While Allen promoted Rod Carey to offensive coordinator to Walt Bell in hopes of Indiana’s offense making an improvement, none were seen Saturday as one of the best defenses prevented the Hoosiers from establishing a rhythm.
Although Allen explained that Jackson was named the starter after defeating Indiana State University on Sept. 8, yet another decision on the quarterback will be made before the Hoosiers take on Rutgers at noon Oct. 21 in Bloomington.
“I just wanted to see one of them step up and I don’t feel like that happened,” Allen said.
Follow reporters Matt Press (@MattPress23) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
