WOLVERINED

Plays come in all ranges and sizes, from small plays that net a few yards to medium plays that keep the team on the field. But Saturday, it was Michigan's "big plays" that resulted in the Hoosiers losing their third straight game, 35-14.\nThe Wolverines didn't squander their opportunities -- scoring five touchdowns either based off a big play or as a result.\nPlays weren't limited to one side of the ball as Michigan's special teams contributed with two big plays, including one for a touchdown off a 76-yard punt return by sophomore Leon Hall in the first half. The second was a 97-yard kickoff return by Grant Mason.\nGiving up big plays throughout the game wasn't the only reason for the team's loss Saturday, IU Coach Gerry DiNardo said.\n"There were five big plays -- the two in the kick game and we had the ball thrown over our head three times," DiNardo said. "That and our inability to convert on third down was the biggest difference in the game."\nWhen IU came up with its first big play of the game, Michigan (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) struck quickly back. Following junior Kyle Killion's fumble recovery and sequential sophomore BenJarvus Green-Ellis touchdown run from two yards out cut the Michgan lead to 14-7 going into halftime, Michigan's Mason brought back the kickoff to the Hoosier 3-yard line.\nFreshman running back Michael Hart had a big play of the short variety by giving the Wolverines a 21-7 lead on a one-yard touchdown run after IU had held Michigan out for three plays.\n"We didn't stop them, but for four downs we gave our all and we were put in a bad situation," senior defensive lineman Jodie Clemons said. "They scored but, all we had to do was make them take another snap, it would have been a major play if we would have stopped them. But we didn't."\nOne of the best wide receiver's in the country, Braylon Edwards, hadn't shown his big play potential -- yet. \nAwakening the do-everything senior wide receiver Edwards proved to be the demise for IU during the third quarter.\nEdwards struck twice in the quarter on back-to-back possessions, first on a 69-yard pass from freshman quarterback Chad Henne and again on 38-yard touchdown strike that pushed the lead to 35-7.\nEdwards had a highlight real day as he caught eight balls for a career high 165 yards.\nTrying to contain Edwards all day was a tough challenge for the IU secondary, junior cornerback Buster Larkins said.\n"(Edwards) is a good athlete, he's on scholarship just like the rest of us. He made a good play, but on a lot of catches, we beat ourselves," Larkins said. "We've just got to get better by keeping the ball in front of us and come out and play a better second half."\nDespite the abundance of game changing plays by the Wolverines, the Hoosiers have to convert on the opportunities when they are given, senior Matt LoVecchio said.\n"Obviously in our offense we just have to play hard and do whatever it takes to move the ball down the field. We did that in the first half because we get in the redzone a couple of times," he said. "When you play a team like Michigan and you're moving the ball and get inside the redzone, it is a critical situation and we have to capitalize on those opportunities."\n-- Contact staff writer Dan Click at daaclick@indiana.edu.