In a shocking turn of events, the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 13-10 in a dramatic finish on Saturday in Columbus. Dominic Zvada secured the win for Michigan with a 21-yard field goal with just 45 seconds remaining, bringing an end to Ohio State’s dreams of reaching the Big Ten title game.
The Wolverines (7-5, 5-4) capitalized on a key 27-yard run from Kalel Mullings, positioning themselves on Ohio State’s 17-yard line late in the game. Although their drive ultimately stalled, Zvada made the short kick that clinched the victory.
Ohio State (10-2, 7-2) attempted to rally but failed to advance on their final possession. Quarterback Will Howard struggled throughout the game, throwing two interceptions and completing just 19 of 33 passes for 175 yards, while the Buckeyes’ ground game faltered, totaling only 77 rushing yards.
“This is the biggest one of the year,” Zvada remarked on the significance of the game. “To come in here and take the win, it’s amazing.”
The stakes made this loss even more painful for Ohio State, as they were heavily favored by 21 points, the largest margin seen in this rivalry in decades. Michigan faced challenges of its own, playing without key players such as tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson. Despite that, their defense excelled, limiting the Buckeyes to just ten points.
Mullings was a standout for the Wolverines, rushing for 116 yards and scoring their only touchdown in the first half. His performance was a pivotal factor in Michigan’s unexpected success.
Following the game, emotions ran high as Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield, leading to confrontations with Ohio State players. Law enforcement had to step in, deploying pepper spray to quell the scuffle.
This defeat has left Ohio State players, especially seniors, feeling defeated, as many had returned for another season with hopes of winning against Michigan. Linebacker Cody Simon expressed the collective disappointment, stating, “I feel like we let the whole Buckeye nation down.”
As both teams move forward, Michigan will now await their bowl game assignment, while Ohio State’s fate hinges on the final College Football Playoff rankings on December 8.
This historic victory for Michigan not only gives them momentum but also highlights the unpredictable nature of college football, where rankings often do not reflect the true capabilities of the teams involved. As they celebrate this hard-fought win, Michigan fans can look forward to a positive finish to their season, while Ohio State will have the opportunity to regroup and refocus for future challenges.