Report Card: Grading Michigan football in a 27-9 loss to Ohio State

Michigan didn’t score a touchdown and got pushed around on both sides of the ball in a 27-9 loss to Ohio State, the Buckeyes’ first win over the Wolverines since 2019. The offense, defense, and special teams all had their issues in the loss. 

We grade U-M in all areas following the loss that dropped U-M to 9-3 …

RELATED: OSU 27, Michigan 9: Notes, quotes, and observations — no excuses … just not good enough

Michigan rushing offense: C+

A tale of two halves, and a lot of that has to do with redshirt frosh Jordan Marshall’s injury. The Wolverines were moving the ball well on the ground when he was in the game in the first quarter, starting the opening drive with a 36-yard run, and Marshall averaged 8.7 yards per carry. He tried to return in the third quarter, but his shoulder injury was just too much to overcome.

Veteran Bryson Kuzdzal added 38 yards on 11 carries, though 22 came on one run. The running game was hindered by the absence of a passing game — the Wolverines ran for negative-8 yards in the second half, unacceptable in any game.

Passing offense: D-

Michigan freshman Bryce Underwood was 8-for-18 for only 63 yards and an interception and never looked comfortable. He missed some open receivers, left the pocket early at times, checked down too often, and threw a bad pick. He seemed to panic at times, partially due to sketchy pass protection (again). 

Freshman receiver Andrew Marsh didn’t have a single catch, and 26 of the 63 yards came on one pass to veteran Donaven McCulley. This was no better than last year’s passing game in The Game, which is almost unbelievable. The tight ends were MIA.

Michigan rushing defense: D

The Michigan run stoppers held up pretty well in the first half, allowing 76 yards, but they were on the field too long in the second half and got worn down. The result — the Buckeyes won in the running game for the first time in recent memory, 186 yards and 4.0 yards per carry. Frosh Bo Jackson rushed for 117 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry, aided by a balanced offense. 

Passing defense: D

This was a team effort here, defensive backs getting beat and lost and the pass rushers completely ineffective. Cornerback Zeke Berry started it off nicely with a deep pass breakup and fellow corner Jyaire Hill with a pick that set up a field goal, but it was all downhill after that. 

The Wolverines were credited with one quarterback hurry and had no sacks. The final stats for quarterback Julian Sayin — 19 of 26 for 233 yards with 3 touchdowns and a pick.  

Michigan special teams: C-

Punter Hudson Hollenbeck had a shank that led directly to an Ohio State touchdown, an 11-yarder that set OSU up near midfield. That was a huge, momentum-swinging play, and the worst of a lot of bad plays in the punt game this year. That needs to be fixed before next season. 

A poor kick return from frosh Andrew Marsh (9 yards) was the only return, and OSU managed two punt returns for 27 yards. Grad Dominic Zvada was the only bright spot here, making all three of his field goals in getting his mojo back, two from 45-plus.