All eyes were on Ann Arbor, Michigan where one of the biggest college football games of the year was taking place. The No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes vs the No. 3 ranked Michigan Wolverines. A game that some say is the biggest rivalry in all of college football. A game that is circled on each team’s schedule since the last time they met a year prior. A game that decides who plays for the Big Ten Championship and ultimately a trip to the College Football Playoffs.
Michigan won the last two meetings decisively and looked to make it three in a row over their rivals from the south for the first time since 1997. Everyone expected to be a hard fought back and forth battle and that it was.
The Big House has never been louder. More than 110,000 packed into Michigan stadium, mostly in maize and blue, braving the cold temperatures to root for their team. Michigan won the coin toss deferring to receive the ball until the second half. So, it was the Buckeyes that looked to score first on the opening possession. But Michigan’s stingy defense forced a three and out giving Michigan’s offense the ball. Ohio State’s defense would hold as both team’s defense played solid through the first quarter, but it was the Wolverines defense that would pick up the first big play off an interception at the OSU 25-yard line by Will Johnson who then ran it back to the 7 to make it first and goal Michigan. Taking advantage of the turnover, Michigan’s Blake Corum would bring the crowd to its feet as he scored on a 1-yard run later on the possession to give Michigan a 7-0 lead. The touchdown was Corum’s 21st of the year, setting a new Michigan single season record.
Ohio State tried to answer, driving down field 51 yards but would come up short and have to settle for a field goal making the score 7-3. Each team would add a touchdown in the second quarter resulting in a halftime score of 14-10 in favor of Michigan.
The Wolverines started the second half with the ball and wasted no time getting down the field picking up two straight first downs. The Buckeye defense would however stand tall forcing a long field goal attempt by Wolverine Kicker Tommy Doman. Doman would make the 50-yard field goal and it was 17-10 Michigan. Behind the running of TreVeyon Henderson and Chip Trayanum, Ohio State would tie the game at 17 points apiece as Henderson scored midway through the quarter. Not to be outdone, J.J. McCarthy, Donovan Edwards, and Corum would add to their rushing yard totals on a Michigan 75-yard drive that ended with Corum’s 22nd touchdown of the year. This gave the Wolverines the lead again, 24-17, and that would be the score entering the fourth and final quarter.
The Buckeyes were within one touchdown with a full quarter to play. After Michigan scored on another field goal to go up by 10 points, Ohio State marched down the field and answered with a Marvin Harrison Jr. touchdown. With eight minutes to go, it would become a nail biter and you could sense the nervousness in the crowd. The Wolverines received the kick after the Buckeyes’ touchdown. Using up seven minutes of clock and driving down field, they needed one more first down from the OSU 21 yard line. On a 3rd-and-6, the drive would stall as Corum could only get two yards bringing up 4th down. After a timeout, Michigan would kick the 37-yard field goal. A minute was left, Ohio State would get the ball and could win the game with a touchdown. With what is probably the best group of receivers in college football, the win for Ohio State was not out of reach. OSU Quarterback Kyle McCord completed two 22-yard passes, one to Harrison and the other to Julian Fleming. Just like that, the Buckeyes were moving the ball and in Michigan territory. Michigan needed another big play on defense and they got it, an interception by Rod Moore at the Michigan 22 yard line with 34 seconds left. However, it was no surprise that the catch would be reviewed. The Big House was silent as 110,000 plus fans waited for the call. The ruling on the field of interception stood and the Maize and Blue faithful could rest easy. McCarthy would take a knee, the clock would run out, and Michigan was victorious. The fans rushed the field in celebration with the players. The Wolverines had made it three straight wins over the Buckeyes.
On offense, Corum led the rushing attack with 88 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in the game for Michigan. McCarthy completed 16 out of 20 passes for 148 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Eighty-eight of those passing yards went to Tight End Colston Loveland. The defense was led by Junior Colston with 10 tackles. The Michigan defense also had the two interceptions, one by Johnson and one by Moore.
McCord had 271 passing yards for Ohio State, completing 18 out of 30 passes. Harrison Jr. was the recipient of 118 of those yards with one touchdown, and Fleming added 58 receiving yards. The Buckeye’s rushing attack was led by Henderson with 60 yards and one touchdown.
Unfortunately for the Wolverines offense, Senior Lineman Zak Zinter suffered a leg injury late in the third quarter. Zinter, who is one of the top Offensive Lineman in the country, was carted off the field before giving the thumbs up to fans indicating he was ok.
With the victory, Michigan (12-0) wins the Big Ten East and will play the Iowa Hawkeyes (10-2) next week in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship. The win also likely secures the Wolverines third straight BCS Playoff Berth.
Final Score: Michigan 30 – Ohio State 24
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