No. 21 Michigan Steamrolls Indiana 41-14

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Posted 4:46PM on Saturday, November 12, 2005

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Chad Henne had three touchdown passes in the first half as No. 21 Michigan built a huge lead and coasted to a 41-14 victory over Indiana on Saturday without scoring after halftime. The Wolverines (7-3, 5-2 Big Ten) won their fourth straight, avoiding a letdown coming off a bye and heading into the regular-season finale against Ohio State. The Hoosiers (4-6, 1-6) fell out of bowl contention with their fifth consecutive setback, and 14th in a row to Michigan. Indiana scored on the opening drive of the game, then Michigan took control. Henne's passing, Kevin Grady's two TD runs and Steve Breaston's 201 all-purpose yards gave the Wolverines a 41-7 lead at halftime. It was Michigan's highest-scoring first half since scoring 45 against Indiana in 2000. Henne was 17-of-24 for 174 yards and three TDs, then was relieved in the second half by Matt Gutierrez. Grady had a career-high 94 yards rushing and two TDs, filling in for Mike Hart, who missed his second straight game with an ankle injury. Jason Avant had five receptions for 66 yards and a TD. In the first half alone, Breaston had three receptions for 46 yards and a score; a 30-yard run; a 47-yard kickoff return; and three punt returns for 78 yards. Indiana's Blake Powers was 10-of-19 for 112 yards with a TD and an interception. The Hoosiers were without their top two receivers James Hardy (injuries) and James Bailey (academics). They opened the game with a 77-yard drive, capped by Powers' 42-yard TD pass to Jahkeen Gilmore. After the impressive start, Indiana had three straight three-and-out drives while Michigan pulled away. The Hoosiers' day began to unravel on special teams, a facet of the game that has hurt them this season. After their first kickoff went out of bounds, Michigan declined the penalty and that led to Breaston's return to the Hoosiers' 34. Henne's 5-yard pass to Tyler Ecker - inches over safety Will Meyers - started the scoring. Indiana was called for penalties on its first two punts - one a 15-yard penalty for hitting Breaston before the ball got to him - and on its third, Breaston broke several tackles on a 53-yard return. Grady's tackle-breaking, 32-yard run, Michigan's longest run for a score this season, gave the Wolverines a 27-7 lead midway through the second quarter. Henne's 11-yard pass to Breaston with 23 seconds left in the half put the Wolverines ahead 41-7. Most of Michigan's starters on both sides of the ball joined Henne on the sideline midway through the third quarter. Gutierrez's fumble early in the fourth quarter led to Graeme McFarland's 7-yard pass to Brandon Walker-Roby to make it 41-14. © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.