Observations on the win over Ohio State, 13-10
Michigan had four red zones for 10 points; Ohio State gained 5 red zones for 10 points. Both teams were terrific in red zone stops. The Wolverines scored 7 points off one Buckeye turnover while Ohio State couldn't convert two Michigan turnovers into points including a red zone turnover.
Offense had 13 first downs with 234 net yards and 172 on the ground; they were 7 of 15 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Davis Warren was 9 of 16 for 62 yards, and two interceptions; he ran once for 11 yards. Kalel Mullings ran 32 times for 116 yards for a TD; Mullings was stellar, and his toughness was a major factor in this win. Alex Orji had 3 carries for 32 yards. Donovan Edwards ran 4 times for 11 yards, and caught 2 passes for 2 yards; he couldn't play in the second half due to injury. Peyton O'Leary caught an 18 yarder. Tyler Morris caught a 14 yarder. Hogan Hansen caught a 9 yarder. Freddy Moore caught a 6 yarder. Marlin Klein caught 3 passes for 13 yards. We didn't have much of a passing attack with 9 receptions for 62 yards, but our running game helped us prevail due to our outstanding defense. Our offensive line took away the Buckeye pass rush with an aggressive running game that tired out the Ohio State defense. Michigan had a 7 minute time of possession advantage, but Ohio State had a 1 offensive play edge; in the 4th quarter, the Wolverines possessed the ball over 13 of the 15 minute quarter, another huge key in the win. The Buckeyes possessed the ball for 10:28 in the 3rd quarter, but scored no points. Caleb Downs led the Buckeye defense with 11 tackles including an interception plus a 4th down red zone stop on Mullings; Lathan Ransom and Cody Simon contributed 9 tackles each.
Defense was INCREDIBLE!!! Ohio State gained 16 first downs, 252 net yards, and were 7 of 18 in 3rd and 4th down conversions. Will Howard was 19 of 33 for 175 yards, a TD and 2 interceptions by Aamir Hall and Makari Paige. Quinshon Judkins has 12 carries for 46 yards. Michigan outgained Ohio State on the ground, 172 to 77. Carnell Tate had 6 catches for 58 yards. Emeka Egbuka had 4 catches for 51 yards. Jeremiah Smith had 5 catches for 35 yards. Treyveon Henderson had 10 carries for 21 yards, and caught 2 passes for 25 yards. Ernest Hausmann had 8 tackles to lead the defense; Mason Graham contributed 7 tackles. We had 3 quarterback hits on Howard, but no sacks; neither team had a sack. Both teams had two "3 and outs."
Special Teams and Defense won this game! Dominic Zvada hit a 54 yard field goal, and the game-winning 21 yarder; Jayden Fielding cost the Buckeyes as he hit only one of three attempts. Ohio State punted three times for a 36 yard average with one downed inside the 20; Tommy Doman punted three times for a 47.3 yard average with one downed inside the 20. Tyler Morris had a 2 yard punt return. Jordan Marshall started the game with an 11 yard return giving us poor field position, but we at least got a first down. Similarly, Treyveon Henderson started the second half for the Buckeyes mishandling the kickoff at the 6 yard line, a bad omen for the beleaguered Buckeyes. Michigan had 4 penalties for 50 yards; Ohio State had 2 penalties for 19 yards.
This game epitomized Michigan Wolverine Football! Our program is about running the ball effectively, and DEFENSE! It will go down as one of the hallmark games in Michigan Wolverine History! We came into the game as a 19.5 point underdog to the #2 ranked Buckeyes, and beat them in their own stadium; we never trailed in this game after scoring early in the second quarter, and the game was tied the entire 3rd and 4th quarters until the Zvada field goal with 45 seconds to go. We played solid, hard-nosed football for four quarters, and never lost our resolve to beat the Buckeyes; we knew we could accomplish that, and we did. We kept our poise, and played over our mistakes. There is nothing more satisfying for a true Michigan Football Fan that a win against Ohio State at Columbus, but it is even way more satisfying when they are such an overwhelming favorite as they were today. We beat Ohio State in Columbus without our best offensive player, Colston Loveland, and our best defensive player, Will Johnson. It doesn't matter if Ohio State makes the playoffs, they will fire Ryan Day after losing 4 in a row to Michigan. We might now move up to the Outback Bowl! Hail to the Victors! Go Blue!
