It had been 2191 days since the Ohio State Buckeyes (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) tasted victory against Michigan (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten. Redemption now belongs to the Buckeyes. It’s time for the Buckeye faithful to hold it over their rivals’ heads for at least the next 365 days. It didn’t start off all cupcake and rainbows. It started out as a field goal-fueled slug fest just as the Michigan Wolverines wanted. The opening drive was more like watching the movie Groundhog’s Day, here we go again, re-living the ground attack of years past over and over again. After Ohio State deferred, Michigan was ready to exert its will. On the first play from scrimmage, RB Jordan Marshall ran wide open through the left side of the line for 36 yards. Immediately, Bryce Underwood completed a short pass over the middle to Marshall out of the backfield, but DC Matt Patrica pulled the not-so-fast card. His defense bent but didn’t break, holding Michigan to a field goal.
Ryan Day and OC Brian Hartline opened the game with two straight shots downfield, which ultimately backfired. Julian Sayin got a welcome to “The Game” moment, throwing a pick into double coverage on an attempt to Jeremiah Smith. Again, setting up the Wolverines for another field goal (6-0 Michigan). In an ordinary game, this is the point you hear the old men in the stands saying, “you can’t win big games with field goals”. Of course, this game is different; last year’s battle was decided by three points (Michigan winning 13-10).
Ohio State’s second drive was highlighted by a 36-yard run of its own from freshman RB Bo Jackson. Jackson took the handoff to the right and looked to be stopped before stutter-stepping and finding an opening down the sidelines. Aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct first down by Michigan LB Jaishawn Barham, Ohio State had 6 attempts in goal-to-go situations. The Buckeyes settled for a field goal of their own (6-3 Michigan).
4th down and the Michigan DBs were giving WR Jeremiah Smith gifts of one-on-one coverage all game. Ryan Day was quoted saying, “When it’s time to turn up the gas, we will”. For Smith, his 20th birthday gift came in the endzone after a 35 yard go ball (10-6 Ohio State). Some may say the gift was from the referee; the play was repeatedly called controversial by Joel Klatt. Michigan responded in what was its last score of the game by fighting fireworks with another field goal (10-9 Michigan).
Ohio State, on the other hand, was just starting to turn up the gas. Closing out the half Ohio State methodically chipped away at the time remaining. Sayin managed an 11-play, 87-yard drive. Sayin with surgical precision, cut through the Michigan defense with ease. On third down, he timed a pass perfectly to Bradon Inniss, who scored easily on a beautifully designed play. Ohio State owned a 17-9 lead heading into the locker room.
Getting the ball back after the break, an opening half score would be suffocating to this Michigan offense, which finished the game with just 163 total yards. They struggled epically against this historical silver bullet defense, and it was exponentially worse with only 39 total yards in the second half.
The snow was starting to fall with some accumulation, but the weather did not favor the Wolverines as expected. The teams traded possessions. Once again, it was time to turn up the gas. To acheive a WR trifecta, each of the three starting WRs would need to haul in a score. Heisman hopeful Julian Sayin answered the call, connected on a 50-yard bomb to WR Canell Tate for six (24-9 Ohio State). The dagger had officially been unseathed. Michigan had only been able to muster field goals, and the last one came with more than 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter.
Finally, up 24-9 Ohio State proved Michigan is a soft team. On the final drive of the 3rd quarter, the Buckeyes hit a stretch of six straight runs to rub salt in the wounds of Sherrone Moore and DC Wink Martindale.
The will of the Michigan team, and more specifically the defense, was broken as Ohio State went on an 11:56 sole-crushing drive. It ended in three as Jayden Fielding split the uprights. After the half, Ohio State dominated the Wolverines’ defensive line, rushing for 110 yards vs -8 for their counterparts to the north. Day called a second half that produced 198 total yards, while Michigan embarrassingly gained only 39. Ohio State went up to Ann Arbor and physically earned their gold pants.
Julian Sayin was 19-26 for 73%, 233 yards, and 3 TDs. Bo Jackson led all rushers with 22 carries for 117 yards, 5.3 yards per carry. Each of the starting WRs had a TD, but Carnell Tate topped all WRs with 5 receptions for 82 yards. Sonny Styles led the way defensively with 6 TOT, 3 solo, and 1 TFL.
The Buckeyes got their first taste of hardware with the gold pants today. It’s hardware from here on out, starting with the Big Ten Championship on Saturday, Dec 6th at Lucas Oil Stadium. They passed the physical test today. In Indianapolis, they face a high-powered, explosive attack of the Indiana Hoosiers led by the precision of Heisman hopeful, Fernando Mendoza
Stephen Leonard
Writer
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This is the week Buckeye Nation has dreaded for 2,191 days. Five years without a win against Michigan (COVID cancellation in 2020). Four straight losses to That Team Up North. Four straight years of watching an offense that eviscerates everyone else suddenly forget how to play modern football the moment maize and blue take the […]
