Michigan Falls To Ohio State 27-9
Michigan is a tough rival for Ohio State. This is the best rivalry in sports. The game between the number one-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 15 Michigan Wolverines took place in Ann Arbor. It was cold, and there was a threat of snow around the fourth quarter, which was perfect for this game.
Michigan Running Back Jordan Marshall, a “Mr. Football” from Cincinnati, Ohio, said, “I didn’t like a few other people (at Ohio State), and that’s truly why I didn’t pick there. I think Coach (Tony) Alford would tell you the same. He came here and saw the best head coach in the Big Ten, in college football, and how he carries himself and puts himself above the team. It’s all about culture, and that’s what I wanted to be around. I didn’t want to be around people who were about themselves, and I truly believe that.” Is this bulletin board material?
Michigan Falls To Ohio State
Here is a scoring summary from the game. In the first quarter, Dominic Zvada hit a 45-yard field goal to give them a 3-0 lead. That field goal was powered by Marshall, who had a 10-yard reception and a huge run. Zvada kicked another field goal, this one 25 yards, after a Julian Sayin interception. Michigan led 6-0. However, Ohio State then went on a long drive. Jayden Fielding kicked a 24-yard field goal. It was 6-3 Michigan. A touchdown was disallowed by a penalty.
In the second quarter, Jeremiah Smith caught a 35-yard touchdown pass. That gave Ohio State a 10-6 lead. Then Dominic Zvada hit his third field goal of the first half. A 49-yarder made the Ohio State lead 10-9. It started snowing in this quarter. Before halftime, Brandon Inniss caught a 3-yard touchdown pass, and Ohio State led 17-9.
In the third quarter, it was snowing more heavily, but not accumulating seriously on the field yet. Tate caught a 50-yard touchdown pass. Ohio State led 24-9. That was the score at the end of the third quarter. By this point, the snow was accumulating on the field.
In the fourth quarter, Fielding hit a 23-yard field goal, which made it 27-9, Ohio State. That was all of the scoring there was in the game. Ohio State won, and Ryan Day exorcised his demons.
News and Notes
- Smith and Tate both played, actually started for Ohio State. Tate has caught a pass in 36 consecutive games coming into this one.
- This is the 121st time The Game has been played. Michigan has a 62-52-6 record against Ohio State.
- It’s the 50th time Ohio State and Michigan are both ranked in the Associated Press poll entering The Game, the most ranked matchups between any two teams in college football.
- There are ties between the rivals; Ohio State Linebacker Joey Velazquez played for Michigan from 2019-23, and Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford was Ohio State’s running backs coach from 2015-23.
- ESPN’s College GameDay and FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff were in Ann Arbor for The Game. Ohio State has a 46-21 record in games when GameDay is on site.
The Game
This is a nasty rivalry, maybe the best in all of sports. Therefore, it was not surprising that players were jawing at each other and had to be separated on several occasions. This is after a fight broke out last year between the players after Michigan players attempted to plant a University of Michigan flag inside the block O at Ohio Stadium. In this year’s game, the referees were determined to prevent fisticuffs from breaking out. They were quick to call personal fouls.
Another feature of this game is that several former players, from both sides, returned and were on the sidelines for the game. Most of those former players have had, or are having, great careers in the National Football League. Among the many who attended the game was Aidan Hutchinson, a defensive lineman who plays for the Detroit Lions. For Ohio State, Michal Thomas was at the game. Thomas was a wide receiver who had a great career as a Wide Receiver for the New Orleans Saints.
Conclusion
Ohio State capped off its undefeated regular season with its win in Ann Arbor, finally getting gold pants. Waiting for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game next Saturday is a similarly undefeated Indiana team. Indiana is the best team Ohio State has faced this season. However, they will need to defeat them if they want to retain the top seed and a bye in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
