The greatest college football game ever took place in Columbus, Ohio between No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes and the undefeated and No. 2 University of Michigan Wolverines. The football game at the time was played on November 18, 2006. It was called “The Game of the Century,” and it did not disappoint. Ohio State defeated Michigan. The football game was never that close as Michigan scored late and got a two-point conversion. Nevertheless, the football game was outstanding. There was even talk of the number two ranked losers, the University of Michigan, making the national championship game.
With the benefit of hindsight, we know that the University of Michigan did not make the national championship. Ohio State did, and they lost. This article covers how the Ohio Stare Quarterback, Troy Smith, won the Heisman Trophy. Then we write about the prolific scoring in this game. Finally, with the benefit of hindsight, we will cover some game notes.
Troy Smith Wins the Heisman Trophy
Troy Smith played great in this football game. He threw four touchdown passes. He also threw for 316 yards, 104 of those to Ted Ginn Jr., who had a long career in the National Football League. His performance in this game won him the Heisman Trophy. However, the Heisman Trophy jinx came into play after Troy Smith played poorly in the game and Ohio State lost.
2006 Ohio State Football Game Scoring Summary
There was a lot of scoring in this football game. In the first quarter, Michigan scored first, scoring a rushing touchdown. Then Troy Smith knotted the game at seven by throwing a passing touchdown. That is how the first quarter ended, with the score tied at 7. In the second quarter, Ohio State scored a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown to take a 21-7 lead. Michigan answered with a passing touchdown. Ohio State had one too, and the score at halftime was 28-14 Ohio State.
In the second half, Michigan outscored Ohio State but the Buckeyes built enough of a lead in the first half they won the game. Michigan scored a rushing touchdown to begin the third quarter. Then Michigan kicked a field goal. Ohio State answered with a rushing touchdown and the score was 35-24 Ohio State when the third quarter ended.
In the fourth quarter of this affair, Michigan scored a touchdown first and Ohio State answered with a touchdown of their own. Then, you guessed it. Michigan scored a touchdown and got a two-point conversion. That made the final score 42-39 Ohio State in an entertaining football game which lived up to the billing.
2006 Ohio State-Michigan Game Notes
- The football game was televised nationally on ABC.
- 105,708 people saw the game in Ohio Stadium.
- Ohio State Quarterback Troy Smith had 316 yards passing in this football game, 104 of them to Ginn Jr. Ginn played for the New Orleans Saints for a long time and played for 14 years in the National Football League.
- The punter for Ohio State in this football game was AJ Trapposso, who starred at Groveport High School.
- Anthony Gonzalaz, the third leading receiver on Ohio State in this football game, became a United States Congressman.
- University of Michigan Running Back Michael Hart was outstanding and rushed for 142 yards in this football game.
- The running back for Ohio State was Antonio Pitmann. He had 139 yards rushing in this football game.
- Both teams had one interception this game and the Ohio State interception was by Malcolm Jenkins, who had a long career in the National Football League with the New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles.
Conclusion
It added to the greatness of this game for Ohio State fans that Ohio State won, but they went on to lose the national championship to the University of Florida 41-14. In that game, Ginn Jr. had a kickoff return for a touchdown so the game was not that competitive. It was a disappointing end to a great season that included the high of winning the greatest football game ever.
