Best and worst from Michigan football's win over Ohio State
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michigan Wolverines football pulled away to beat Ohio State, 45-23, Saturday afternoon. Here are the best and worst from the Horseshoe.
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Best second half
Michigan outscored Ohio State 28-3 after halftime … and the Wolverines put together one of the best halves in recent memory and, perhaps, program history.
If we would’ve been told Michigan was going to have just 10 rushing yards in the first half but trail by only three points, well, we wouldn’t have believed it. It was huge that it was the case, though, with the Wolverines within striking distance.
Then, it would come down to the team that made the most plays — and that was Michigan (it wasn’t close).
The Wolverines scored 4 touchdowns on its six second-half possessions (not including the kneel-down), and forced Ohio State to punt on its first three drives of the stanza. The Buckeyes got one field goal after that but finished the game with 2 straight interceptions.
Michigan got the run game going in the second half, rushing 24 times for 242 yards and 3 touchdowns. The passing attack was a big factor, as well, gaining 74 yards after the break.
Once the clock hit 0:00, Ohio State players filed for the tunnel, Buckeye fans filled the exits, and Michigan senior cornerback Mike Sainristil and Co. planted a flag at midfield, something he intended on doing since January. It was thanks to a masterful second half.
Best formula
Michigan didn’t play anything close to a perfect game, but the Wolverines did execute the perfect recipe for beating Ohio State.
The Buckeyes’ high-octane offense is going to gain yards, and it’s going to put up points. But Michigan couldn’t — and didn’t — get discouraged when the Buckeyes put together drives. And they did — getting into Michigan territory on eight of their first 12 drives.
Tightening up on third- and fourth-down plays and forcing field goal attempts in the red zone is exactly what Michigan needed, and that’s what it got.
Ohio State scored 13 red-zone points (2 field goals, 1 touchdown) and came up empty on a fourth-down conversion attempt. The Buckeyes were 5-of-17 on third- and fourth-down opportunities.
Saving it for the Buckeyes
There was an ongoing debate within the Michigan fan base all season long that bubbled to the surface every time the offense sputtered. The play calling, at times this season, didn’t feel creative. While we’re not excusing anything, it’s absolutely true that Michigan saves some of its best stuff for the Buckeyes — as it should.
“Saved some things,” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Emptied the playbook in a lot of ways.”
They sure did.
We saw a running back pass from a linebacker in junior Kalel Mullings, who moved to offense this week with Michigan thin on depth at the position. We saw some deep shots, including a 75-yard touchdown pass from sophomore J.J. McCarthy to senior Cornelius Johnson. And Michigan showed some creative play action like the 45-yard toss to freshman tight end Colston Loveland, a fake reverse.
Like it or not, Michigan held some of its most creative plays for this game. There’s no debating, though, that the strategy worked.
Best receiver
Just when we start questioning Johnson, he comes up huge. That was the case in this one, with his two touchdown catches keeping the Maize and Blue in the game in the first half.
The first was on third-and-9, with Ohio State bringing a zero blitz. McCarthy had pressure in his face but got a throw off to Johnson on the sideline. He made the first man miss, broke another tackle and was off to the races for a 69-yard score.
His second touchdown, on Michigan’s next offensive snap, came after he dusted his defender and got himself wide open down the middle. McCarthy put it right on him, and he took it 75 yards to the end zone.
Johnson has been criticized this season, but he’s one of Michigan’s most consistent receivers, runs great routes and sometimes surprises with his playmaking ability.
Gave his all
It felt like an iconic moment when Michigan junior running back Blake Corum emerged from the tunnel with Harbaugh before the game.
Corum, who injured his left knee last week against Illinois, was questionable all week. A warrior, he gave it a go, but he didn’t quite have enough cutting ability to make an impact, and there’s a chance he was in pain. He had 2 carries for 6 yards, but Michigan decided to hold him out of the rest of the game.
The fact that a Heisman Trophy contender who will be in the NFL next season (if he wants to be) wanted to lay it all on the line tells you everything you need to know about his dedication to the team.
It was fitting that Michigan had him in victory formation on the final kneel-downs.
Breakaway runs
Michigan sophomore running back Donovan Edwards was playing with a huge cast on his right hand. Early on, it looked like the plan was for him to be used as a pass-catcher, not a ball-carrier. The worry was likely surrounding ball security between the tackles. After all, the West Bloomfield, Mich., native who was heavily recruited by Ohio State only carried the ball in his left arm, even when running on the right side of the field.
Credit the offensive line, credit Edwards, credit strength coach Ben Herbert and line coach Sherrone Moore — everybody. Michigan was able to gash Ohio State in the second half, with Edwards ripping off 75- and 85-yard touchdown runs to help seal the game.
The line got more push, and Edwards hit the holes hard. All told, he ran 22 times for 216 yards, averaging 9.8 per carry. The Michigan ground game produced 252 yards on 35 attempts overall.
More big plays
Michigan’s offense is methodical in nature. Ground and pound. Physicality. Toughness. Wear ’em down.
But the Wolverines flashed some explosiveness in this one, with six plays of 30-plus yards. Get this: 382 of Michigan’s 530 total yards came on those six plays. That’s 63.7 yards per play.
Take it away
Two Michigan interceptions on Ohio State’s final two possessions helped seal the victory, with graduate EDGE Taylor Upshaw and junior safety Makari Paige notching picks late. Those were the first in their careers for each of those players.
Michigan didn’t have a turnover on the day, and has won the turnover battle against the Buckeyes 2-1 over the last two meetings. That comes after turnovers and big mistakes hindered the Maize and Blue in this rivalry for around 15 years.
Control of the rivalry
It’s been 1,092 days since Ohio State has beaten Michigan. Yes, there was a cancellation in there, but the Wolverines have won two straight in the rivalry for the first time since 1999-2000.
The way they’ve done it, too, has been impressive. It’s been Ohio State wilting under the pressure, and Michigan rising to the occasion in the biggest of moments. The Wolverines have bullied the Buckeyes two years in a row.
Michigan’s head coach has an edge over Ohio State’s. The former’s way of playing seems more conducive to winning in the series, despite recent trends in college football.
What a turn of events.
Now, Ryan Day is close to being on the hot seat (search “Ryan Day” on Twitter, and you’ll see). Michigan has more confidence and juice in this rivalry than it has since the 1990s, when “worse” Wolverine squads would knock off “better” Buckeye groups.
It’s about time.
On to Indianapolis
We had a (cancelable) reservation at an Indianapolis steakhouse heading into the weekend. That reservation will not be canceled, unless we add more to our party as Michigan fans and media swarm Indy for a second straight season.
The Wolverines have won the Big Ten East three of the last five seasons, but finally got to the Big Ten championship game the last two seasons.
The Maize and Blue will have Purdue next weekend, with a title on the line. They’re likely already in the College Football Playoff but can secure the No. 1 or No. 2 seed with a win over the Boilermakers. Game on.
