ANN ARBOR -- It might only last for one game, but Michigan football was finally Michigan football again Saturday.
Before an announced homecoming crowd of 103,111 at Michigan Stadium, the Wolverines used an opportunistic offense and a dominant defense to trounce the banged-up Indiana Hoosiers 34-10.
Indiana twice fumbled deep in their own territory (at their 20 and 27-yard lines), which Michigan quickly converted into 14 points -- leaving little doubt that the Wolverines would rack up their fourth win of the season.
"It was good to see the kids with how hard they've worked," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said as he began his press conference. He then caught himself and continued, "I know I say it every week and some of you (the media) believe me and some of you don't."
"They work their tails off every time they go to practice, they work their tails off as a group, they really are accountable to each other and that's important and that's the way they came out and played."
If it sounds as if Hoke was a bit snippy, at this point in his Michigan coaching career he really has nothing to lose.
When asked about the resignation of former athletic director Dave Brandon, Hoke was stern and direct by answering, "I am not going to talk about that. I am going to talk about what those kids did between the white lines.
Hoke was then asked about whether he's had any contact with interim athletic director Jim Hackett, to which he replied, "Look, we can talk all about that on Monday."
Once the white elephants in the room were addressed, the conversation turned to Michigan's performance, centering on redshirt sophomore running back and Ann Arbor native Drake Johnson.
Johnson -- whose mother, Pat, also the longtime Michigan cheer coach, used to take him to Wolverines games back when Mike Hart was their tailback -- rushed the ball 16 times for 122 yards, scored two touchdowns and averaged 7.6 yards per carry.
"The expectation is for the position," said a humble Johnson. "I was fortunate to go into the game. I just did the best I could with it."
Last season, Johnson was competing for the starting running back job, but unfortunately tore his ACL in Michigan's first game of the season against Central Michigan and was lost for the year.
He admitted that he didn't really feel comfortable this year until mid-way through Michigan's fall camp, which put him a little behind the rest of the Wolverines' running backs.
But he's completely healthy now and is playing for the team he grew up watching, idolizing Hart, which is why he wears No. 20 for the Wolverines.
"I used to see him (Hart) score touchdowns as a kid," said Johnson. "And when I scored, I was like, 'Wow, this is really happening.'"
At times Johnson looked like Hart as he weaved his way through the Hoosier defense, giving the Wolverines production from the running back position that has lacked consistency in recent years.
"He is more of a slasher than the others (running backs)," Hoke said of Johnson's style. "He has a very good burst when you look at the gears and he has the ability to take it the distance, also."
Entering the game, Indiana's Tevin Coleman led the nation in rushing, racking up 170.3 yards per game. Michigan's defense held Coleman in check for most of the game, but the dynamic junior did finish with 108 yards on 27 carries. He didn't score a touchdown.
Corralling Coleman was the key for Michigan since Indiana was down to their third string quarterback, Zander Diamont, who attempted only eight passes the entire game. He completed five of them for 24 total yards.
"When you play against a guy like that (Coleman) it's a chance to make some noise and play well," said Michigan defensive end Brennen Beyer. "We did a good job of studying film and getting an understanding of what their offense wanted to do running him in certain situations.
"We had a little advantage knowing where the ball was going to go. We definitely took advantage of that."
Michigan outgained the Hoosiers by 213 yards -- 404 yards to 191 yards -- and showed remarkable resiliency considering it was such a tumultuous week on campus.
The atmosphere in Michigan Stadium seemed to be one of relief as the players and their fans concentrated on football for change.
"I can't say it wasn't fun, it was really nice, I really enjoyed it, but you can't get caught up in just one game," said Johnson. "We now have to focus on Northwestern."
And that's what Michigan football should be all about.
