Yoopya with Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday, ending the Buckeyes ’ hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game.
Kalel Mullings broke away for a 27-yard run, setting up the Wolverines (7-5, 5-4) at Ohio State’s 17-yard line with two minutes remaining in the game. The drive stalled at the 3, and Zvada came on for the chip shot.
Ohio State (10-2, 7-2, No. 2 CFP) got the ball back but couldn’t move it, with Will Howard throwing incomplete on fourth down to seal the Wolverines’ fourth straight win over their bitter rival.
“You come to Michigan to play this game,” Zvada said. “So, it’s the biggest one of the year. It’s the one that everyone looks forward to, and to be able to come in here and take the win, it’s amazing.”
This Ohio State loss in the “The Game” might have been the toughest of the past four because Michigan was unranked and wrapping up a disappointing season. The Wolverines were also playing without a couple of top players: tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson.
The Buckeyes were favored by 21 points, the widest point spread for this rivalry since 1978, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
Records — and point spreads, for that matter — rarely mean much when these two teams meet.
“Our defense played outstanding,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “We held a high-powered offense to 10 points, 77 rushing yards.”
The Buckeyes were off all afternoon. Howard was 19 for 33 for 175 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and Jayden Fielding missed two field-goal attempts. The run game was hardly there.
“It’s hard, man,” an emotional Howard said. “I really don’t have much right now. I do know we’re a two-loss team. We’re going to get into the playoffs and make a run. But, I mean, this one hurts.”
Mullings was Michigan’s primary weapon. He rushed for 116 yards and the Wolverines only touchdown of the game in the first half as neither team could get much going offensively on the frigid afternoon.
“They made plays, we made plays, so as the game wore on you could definitely, slowly feel them starting to lose confidence, lose that energy and lose that faith,” Mullings said.
Howard was clunky all day. In the first half he threw an interception from deep in his own territory that led to Michigan’s touchdown.
He went out for a play in the second quarter to be checked for a head injury. After the game, he said he was fine.
“We’re very disappointed, and never thought this would happen right here,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “We expected to win this game and go play in the Big Ten championship game.”
After the game, Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield and were confronted by Ohio State players. A skirmish ensued as both teams pushed and shoved before being separated. Police deployed pepper spray in an attempt to stop the players from fighting.
The Takeaway
Michigan: Did just enough and caught Ohio State on an off day.
Ohio State: It’s inexplicable how badly the Buckeyes played in their biggest game of the season. With the loss and No. 4 Penn State’s win over Maryland, it will be the Nittany Lions who meet No. 1 Oregon in the Big Ten title game.
Seniors let down
There has been talk all season about how many of the Ohio State team leaders, including receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive end Jack Sawyer, chose to return for another year instead of entering the NFL draft because they wanted to beat Michigan at least once. Those players were inconsolable after the game.
One of them, linebacker Cody Simon, was asked how he felt.
“I just can’t speak that right now,” Simon said. “I feel like we let the whole Buckeye nation down.”
Up next
Michigan will wait for a minor bowl game. Ohio State will see how the final College Football Playoff rankings shakeout on Dec. 8.
Author:
MITCH STACY | Stacy is a veteran of both news and sports at The Associated Press. He covers the Reds, Bengals, Ohio State Buckeyes, Blue Jackets and more.
