(10)Ohio State 21 Michigan 10
This year marks the 106 meeting between these two schools on the gridiron. For the first several years, Michigan dominated the series as they dominated the college football landscape. They still own more victories than any other university. But the last few years have not been kind to the Wolverines or their fans. Just three years ago this week, OSU and Michigan squared off in Columbus as the #1 and #2 teams in the country respectively. The Scarlet & Gray were victorious 42-39. In the three seasons since, the Buckeyes have earned three BCS games, including one national title game and three conference titles. In the same stretch, Michigan has lost their head coach, lost to a Division 1-AA school, and are now having their second losing season in as many years. A loss to OSU, would keep them out of a bowl game for the second straight year, after having the longest consecutive bowl appearance streak in the nation.
Two days ago. Buckeye Nation was saddened at the loss of Stefanie Spielman (story), wife of former OSU linebacker Chris Spielman. The OSU team will recognize her with a helmet sticker showing an 'SS' and a pink buckeye leaf. This will be display on their 1954 throwback helmets and uniforms, courtesy of Nike.
Two weeks ago, I attempted to do 'quick takes' of my thoughts while the Penn State game was being played. I will try that again for this game. Ohio State wins the coin toss, and take the ball. Hopefully this not the last OSU victory today. Senior Ray Small served as this week's offensive captain which has rotated each week as it did during the 2002 campaign. Two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin was this week's honorary captain. Archie was 3-0-1 in the four years he played Michigan. With a win today, the Buckeyes will graduate their 3rd straight class of seniors that are 4-0 in 'The' Game.
After a couple of first downs, Ohio state is forced to punt but a 42-yarder by Jon Thoma pins the Wolverines on the 7 yard line. I have not really been satisfied with our punting game this season but I must admit Thoma has dropped it inside the 10 yard line quite a few times this year. This time it paid off as after the Buckeyes moved the Wolverines backwards on the first two plays, Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier drops the ball with minimal pressure and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward falls on it for the first score of the game.
Ohio State 7 Michigan 0
On Devin Barclay's first kick since the game winning FG over Iowa in OT last week, return man Darryl Stonum gets a nice 36-yard run back to the 38 but Michigan goes 3-and-out. Ray Small catches the ball on the 22 yard line. Unfortunately Ohio State goes 3-and-out, netting minus three yards. This unfortunately gives Michigan great field position again. This series, Coach RichRod inserts their second string quarterback Denard Robinson on a few plays. This guy is not going to pass, why can't we stop him running when we know what is coming. The Wolverines get the ball down to the 7 yard line before the drive stalls. Then UM place-kicker Jason Olesnavage misses a 22 yard chip shot, crisis averted this time!
Unfortunately, even though we are just 12 minutes into this game, we are already experiencing Tresselball as we call 3 very conservative plays that net only 9 yards and the Bucks are forced to punt. Just when I thought the worst of Thoma as a punter, he delivers a 54-yarder and Michigan has the ball at their own 18.
It appeared Ohio State had them stopped on third and long with Forcier scrambling, but he burned Chimdi Chekwa with a pass to Greg Mathews for 23 yards and a first down. Is it possible Michigan watched last week's game film and say just how many times the Hawkeyes threw toward Chekwa? Then Ross Homan blocks a pass during his pass rush which is fine. But it almost looked like he had a chance to just catch it if he had not been so committed to blocking it. Then senior captain Kurt Coleman had his own chance for an interception of his own but failed. Hopefully these close misses do not come back to haunt us. If the defense can make a few big plays, maybe Tressel will be willing to open up the offense.
End of 1st Quarter - OSU 7 UM 0
The 2nd quarter starts with yet another pass deflected by the Bucks, this time by Anderson Russell. which forces another UM punt. Bucks have to start on the 6 yard line.
Michigan crowds the line, 8 men in the box because like everyone else knows OSU is going to run the ball. But on the second down play, Herron hesitates, waits for the hole and goes up for a 19 yard gain to get the Bucks out of the hole. Then Pryor finally opens it up a bit with a pass to Posey for another first down. Hopefully they keep doing this to get the Wolverines off the line of scrimmage. Unfortunately we tighten up the offense with two weak runs and Thoma comes in again. At this point, my dad points out we are left hoping for the defense to make a play. It is sad but true. It is so unfortunate that it comes down to this, yet Tressel refuses to open up the offense.
At this point it appears Michigan has recognized that the defense seems to be playing a soft zone and Forcier is just picking them apart. The only thing that stopped this drive was the offensive lineman throwing a shoe, Michigan had to call a time out so he can get back on the field without missing a play. Another Coleman drop missing yet another interception opportunity . It results in a 46 yard field goal instead of OSU ball. Maybe this will wake up the offense. (and defense)
Ohio State 7 Michigan 3
At this stage of the game, Michigan is outgaining OSU 142-72 and Ohio state is 0-4 on 3rd downs We have to not forget that our one touchdown was by the defense. Saine opens the next drive where he should have been stopped for a loss, yet he pushes for 14 yards and a first down. Maybe this gets them started! A couple plays later, Pryor fakes the handoff to Saine and runs for 25 yards to the Michigan 29. On the next play, they go back to Saine and he runs the 29 for a TD. 6 plays, all running for the score. The offensive line was so solid on that drive that Jim Cordle was walking to the bench celebrating before Saine had finished his TD scamper.
Ohio State 14 Michigan 3
On the kick-off back-up linebacker Sabino just levels Stonum, both need help off the field. Forcier goes long on the first play and Chekwa deflects it into the arms of Coleman. Bucks come back with their own long ball down the middle and Pryor just overthrows Posey. If he makes this catch it is 21-3 OSU and the game would be over. Ultimately it ends up in 3-and -out and we waste the turnover. 46 yard punt no return. A potential face mask is not called forces a punt and Ohio State has 2:38 left. Lets see if they pack it in or go for points. Intentional grounding give the Bucks the long field so they basically shut it down at that point. Add to that a terrible punt and Michigan sets up at midfield. But the defense holds and we down the ball to end the half.
Halftime - OSU 14 UM 3
OSU kicks off to Michigan and after a quick 3-and-out, Small almost gives Michigan some life by dropping the punt. But he manages to recover the pigskin. However, on 3rd down and 4, OSU has it's first turnover in ten quarters. Pryor's pass deflects off Posey into the hands of Michigan's Jonas Mouton. We need a big stop right now. (have we heard that before) It was not to be, Michigan marches right down the field scoring their first TD of the game. Michigan is outplaying Ohio State right now. You would never know this is the 1st place team playing the last place team in the conference.
Ohio State 14 Michigan 10
After a holding penalty on the kick return the Bucks start on their own 11 yard line. All of the sudden they are blowing holes in the Michigan D line and they march right down the field. All are running plays until Pryor hits Boom Herron on a dump pass for a Buckeye TD. Five of the running plays went for more than 10 yards, and the Buckeyes put together a nice drive finally to increase their lead.
Ohio State 21 Michigan 10.
The OSU defense stops the UM Offensive on another 3-and-out and the Buckeyes have the ball back on the punt. Now is the time to make a statement, a drive for a TD might seal the 6th win in a row. At this point Ohio State has 220 yards rushing.
End of 3rd quarter - OSU 21 UM 10
Pryor tries to open it up to start the 3rd period but again over throws an open DeVier Posey, causing a 3-and-out for the Buckeyes. After getting the ball on their own 17, Forcier hits Roy Roundtree on a slant to get the ball into Buckeye territory. But two plays later, Coleman grabs his second interception of the game. As the Buckeyes take over , it looked like we could get a first own on Pryor run but he basically stopped short (again). With another average punt by Thoma (does he graduate this year?) Michigan starts at midfield, again. And again they work the ball down the field inside the 10 yard line. But an ill advised pass and Devon Torrence picks it off in the end zone to stop the threat. The Bucks managed one first down but the conservative play calling calls for another punt. Another short punt another drive Michigan starts at mid field. Tate Forcier has all these interceptions but Ohio State is unable to turn any of them into points.
At this stage I still think we are going to win, but with 6:00 left to play, Tressel continues to call plays not to lose. It cost them the USC game, it hurt them in the Purdue game, it almost cost him the Iowa game. I think if the Wolverines come back here, Tressel will be under more pressure than RichRod.
Well Forcier helps Tressel for now as he immediately throws his 4th interception, this time to Thaddeus Gibson.
With 2:54 left Michigan starts using their timeouts. The camera shows Tressel staring at his at the papers and cards in his hands. What is he looking at, this week's issue of Sports Illustrated? We know his play card does not need much more space than a 5x7 recipe card., The camera then pans to the crowd where a banner declared "We love Rich Rodriguez" of course the banner is scarlet and gray in color.
No scoring in the final period but of course we didn't need it. Another win , Gotta love it!
Final Score - OSU 21 UM 10
CLOSING THOUGHTS- The crowd of 110, 992 was the 223rd consecutive game in Michigan stadium over 100,000 .... This is the 4th time Michigan has had back-to-back losing seasons and the first time a coach has started with two losing seasons, or two loses to Ohio State ... The OSU win gives them 8 for this decade. The only other time a team won 8 in a decade was 1900 .... Pryor started the day 4 of 5 passing but only ended up at 9 of 17 for 63 yards. That is less than 4 yards a completion. That will not get it done against the Pac-10 champ .... The Buckeyes secured 5 turnovers but only turned one of them into points, and that was the fumble where they landed on it in the endzone. That will not be enough in the Rose Bowl either.
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November 21, 2009
Michigan Stadium
Ann Arbor, MI
Attendance 110,922
VS
By Gregg Watson
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