Following is a capsule look at some of the more interesting Ohio State-Michigan games:
1897: Michigan 34, Ohio State 0 The inaugural game of the series was no contest. Played on Oct.
16 in Ann Arbor, Michigan scored six touchdowns (which were worth
four points at the time, conversions were worth two). The Wolverines
substituted liberally in the second half, and OSU played much better
after intermission.
It was Michigan's 18th year of football, the seventh for Ohio State.
Although OSU forged a 0-0 tie in 1900 (the second meeting), the
Buckeyes would score only once in their first nine encounters with
the Wolverines (a 10-6 loss in 1908).
OSU forged a 3-3 tie in 1910, but UM dominated the early stages
of the rivalry, going 13-0-2 through 1918 and 19-3-2 through 1927.
1902: Michigan 86, Ohio State 0 This game marked the largest margin of victory by either team.
Michigan scored an incredible 15 touchdowns and 11 PATs, despite
the game being shortened by 10 minutes in the second half.
The Wolverines rolled to a 45-0 halftime bulge largely on the running
of All-American fullback Willie Heston. Michigan finished the season
11-0, while OSU went 6-2-2 against an inferior schedule.
1919: Ohio State 13, Michigan 3 Ohio State’s first three-time All-American, running back Chic
Harley, delivered the Buckeyes initial victory over Michigan in
Ann Arbor.
OSU got on the board first when tackle Iolas Huffman blocked a
punt and Jim Flowers recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown.
Harley took control after that, intercepting four passes on defense
and clinching the game with a touchdown run from near midfield.
It was the Buckeyes first victory over famed Michigan coach Fielding
“Hurry Up” Yost and marked the first of three straight
wins for OSU in the series.
1922: Michigan 19, Ohio State 0 The Wolverines snapped a three-game losing streak to Ohio State
with this convincing shutout in the dedication game for Ohio Stadium
before an estimated 70,000 fans.
Paul Goebel and Harry Kipke dominated the action for Michigan. Each
player kicked a field goal, Goebel blocked a punt and recovered
a fumble and Kipke scored two touchdowns, one on an interception
return. The Wolverines would finish the season undefeated at 6-0-1,
while the Bucks stumbled to a 3-4 record.
1926: Michigan 17, Ohio State 16 In a game that would truly foreshadow the nature of the series,
once-beaten Michigan nipped previously undefeated Ohio State before
an estimated 90,000 fans who swarmed over, around and through the
gates at Ohio Stadium.
The Buckeyes opened an early 10-0 lead, but Michigan stormed back
to forge a 10-10 halftime tie. In the fourth quarter, OSU’s
Elmer Marek fumbled a punt at the Ohio State five and Michigan quarterback
Bennie Oosterbaan fired a TD pass to put the Wolverines in front.
Oosterbaan had a brilliant day, nailing a 42-yard field goal earlier
in the game and hurrying the potential game-tying PAT later in the
contest.
The Buckeyes fought back, embarking on a long drive. The march
was fueled by the running of Byron Eby, who scored on a short line
blast. But Myers Clark missed the PAT drop kick which went under
the cross bar. Both teams finished their respective seasons at 7-1,
but this game cost OSU a Big Ten title.
1927: Michigan 21, Ohio State 0 The dedication of Michigan Stadium went much better for the home
team. More than 87,000 fans were in attendance as the nation’s
largest college football venue opened for business.
The Wolverines christened the facility in style with Benny Oosterbaan
tossing a pair of touchdown passes to Louis Gilbert, who also scored
a third TD on a breakaway run. The Buckeyes threatened only late
in the game but couldn’t avoid the shutout.
1934: Ohio State 34, Michigan 0 Coach Francis Schmidt’s wide-open offensive attack led to
a whopping 460-45 advantage in total yardage. Seven Buckeyes were
involved in scoring plays in the resounding victory.
This was Schmidt’s first year, and his first encounter with
Michigan. When hired he vowed to beat the Wolverines, stating, “They
put their pants on one leg at a time like every one else.”
This comment launched a pants club at Ohio State. The tradition
lives to this day. Every Buckeye team member receives a trinket
in the shape of Gold Pants after a victory over Michigan.
1935: Ohio State 38, Michigan 0 Schmidt’s Buckeyes were again in high gear and fully recovered
from a miracle 18-13 loss to Notre Dame in the Game of the Century
three weeks earlier. All-American linemen Gomer Jones and Inwood
Smith dominated up front, All-American end Merle Wendt was a threat
on the outside and diminutive Tippy Dye all played key roles in
an easy victory.
This decision capped Ohio State’s undefeated run through the
Big Ten.
1944: Ohio State 18, Michigan 14 Carroll Widdoes took over for Paul Brown, who had brought Ohio
State a national title in 1942. Although a rookie coach, Widdoes
led the Buckeyes to an undefeated season and No. 2 ranking in the
national polls behind Army. OSU won the national civilian championship
and Les Horvath garnered the Heisman Trophy.
But none of that was clinched until Horvath scored the game-winning
touchdown late in a thrilling, see-saw battle that included five
lead changes. This was the first time the OSU-UM winner would be
the outright Big Ten champion and this game lived up to the legacy
it spawned.
Ohio State made all the plays in the final five minutes to earn
the win. Horvath finished a 52-yard drive with a one-yard dive at
the 3:16 mark. Michigan’s last march was snuffed when Dick
Flanagan intercepted a pass. Interestingly, this was Flanagan’s
only year as a letterman at Ohio State.
1950: Michigan 9, Ohio State 3 Perhaps the most talked about game in the history of the series
was the Snow Bowl. This contest featured 45 punts and was played
in single-digit temperatures, winds approaching 30 mph and driving
snow.
As explained in the Ohio State University Monthly, the alumni magazine: "The game was played in the teeth of a full-scale blizzard, five inches of snow on the ground and snow whistling through the air, borne on a 29-mile-per-hour gale. Despite the fact it was the worst blizzard in 37 years in Columbus, the Ohio capital easily defended its title as the football craziest town in the nation. A total of 50,503 persons braved the elements, staying below deck, under the Stadium, until just a few minutes before the kickoff."
Due to the number of people who attended, and the mess it would have created to refund the tickets, Ohio State Athletic Director Dick Larkins, after conferring with both Michigan and Big Ten officials, decided to play the game. The game had bearing on who would win the conference and go to the Rose Bowl, and had the game not been played on Larkin?s order, the Big Ten title would have been given to Ohio State by default. Ohio State officials felt that they would never be able to have "lived this down" had that happened.
"The strategy of both teams became the same: run a play or two into the line - straight in - and then kick, preferably on third down because if a fumble occurred a fourth down for kicking would be available."
Michigan won despite not recording a single first down. Ohio State’s Vic Janowicz, the Heisman Trophy winner that season, drilled an incredible 37-yard field goal into the wind for the Bucks’
only points. But his third-down punt with 47 seconds showing in
the half was blocked by Michigan’s Tony Momsen, a Toledo native.
Momsen then recovered the ball in the end zone for the game-winning
score.
The victory sent Michigan to the Rose Bowl and earned OSU coach Wes Fesler incredible criticism. He resigned a couple of weeks later, bringing Woody Hayes on the scene.
Vic Janowicz said after the game "It was like a nightmare. My hands were numb (and blue). I had no feeling in them and I don?t know how I hung onto the ball. It was terrible. You knew what you wanted to do, but you couldn?t do it."
1954: Ohio State 21, Michigan 7 Michigan drove 68 yards after the opening kick to take a 7-0 lead
against undefeated and No. 1-ranked Ohio State. But the once-beaten
and 12th-ranked Wolverines wouldn’t score again. OSU’s
Jack Gibbs changed the game’s momentum by intercepting a pass
late in the second quarter and returning it 47 yards to the Michigan
10. Dave Leggett’s TD pass to Fred Kriss tied the game at intermission.
Late in the third period Michigan marched to the Ohio goal line,
but sophomore Jim Parker stopped Michigan running back Dave Hill
at the one-foot line on a fourth-down play. Future Heisman Trophy
winner Howard “Hopalong” Cassady ignited the ensuing drive
with a 47-yard bolt. Leggett finished the march with a TD pass to
Dave Brubaker. Cassady scored the final touchdown to send OSU to
the Rose Bowl.
The Buckeyes whipped Southern California 20-7 in Pasadena to capture
the national championship.
1955: Ohio State 17, Michigan 0 Much as Tom Harmon had done in 1940, Howard “Hopalong”
Cassady completed his spectacular rush to the Heisman Trophy with
a final thrilling performance on his archrival’s home turf.
Cassady ripped off 146 yards and scored his final collegiate TD
early in the fourth period. Michigan crossed midfield only once
in this game as Ohio State’s stifling defense denied the Wolverines
a Rose Bowl bid. Instead, OSU picked up the conference championship
in its first win at Ann Arbor since 1937. The Buckeyes were barred
from playing in Pasadena due to the no-repeat rule. Michigan State
was the Big Ten’s representative.
1957: Ohio State 31, Michigan 14 Playing before more than 100,000 fans, the inspired Wolverines
opened a shocking 14-10 halftime lead in Ann Arbor. But All-American
Bob White recovered a key fumble in the third quarter and the momentum
switched for good. OSU’s Dick LeBeau and Frank Kremblas spearheaded
a 21-point offensive explosion in the second half to seal the victory.
The Bucks would go on to nip Oregon 10-7 in the Rose Bowl and capture
the school’s second national championship in four years, and
third in 15 seasons. This was also Ohio State’s third Big Ten
championship in four years. Meanwhile, Michigan finished 5-3-1.
1961: Ohio State 50, Michigan 20 Ohio State featured offense and lots of it in this encounter. Two-time
All-American fullback Bob Ferguson gained 152 yards and scored four
touchdowns. Sophomore halfback Paul Warfield peeled off a 69-yard
touchdown run and quarterback Joe Sparma fired an 80-yard touchdown
pass to Bob Klein.
Michigan was within 21-12 entering the fourth quarter, and featured
their own fireworks when Dave Raimey took a kickoff back 90 yards
for a score. But the Buckeyes owned a 512-271 total yardage bulge
and added insult to injury by going for two and making it after
their final touchdown. OSU won the National Football Foundation’s
national title, but was denied a Rose Bowl bid when the school’s
faculty council voted to reject the invitation 28-25.
1964: Michigan 10, Ohio State 0 Both teams were in the Top 10 and the winner would claim the conference
crown on a frigid day in Columbus. Ironically, it was the Ohio influence
that fueled Michigan’s win. Toledo native Jim Detwiler scored
the game’s lone touchdown on a pass from Bob Timberlake of
Franklin, Ohio. Wauseon, Ohio product Rick Volk intercepted two
passes and returned a punt 27 yards to set up Timberlake’s
fourth-quarter field goal that clinched the game.
The Wolverines advanced to the Rose Bowl. This was Michigan’s
only league title in Hayes’ first 18 years at Ohio State.
1968: Ohio State 50, Michigan 14 Fourth-ranked Michigan scored first, but Ohio State fought back
to take a 21-14 lead at intermission. The second half was all Buckeyes
as quarterback Rex Kern and fullback Jim Otis dominated the action.
Kern ran for 96 yards, threw for 46 yards and scored two rushing
touchdowns. Otis ran for 143 yards and four touchdowns as the Bucks
romped in the final two periods.
This game sent OSU to the Rose Bowl, where the Buckeyes thumped
second-ranked USC and O.J. Simpson 27-16. Ohio State was the consensus
national champions and this squad, led defensively by senior Mark
Stier and sophomores Jim Stillwagon and Jack Tatum, was voted the
college football team of the decade.
1969: Michigan 24, Ohio State 12 ABC broadcaster Bill Fleming called this game the Upset of the
Century. Undefeated Ohio State needed only to beat double-digit
underdog Michigan to continue its march toward a second straight
national championship. But the Buckeyes committed an incredible
eight turnovers and rookie coach Bo Schembechler’s team played
inspired football.
Jim Otis gave the Bucks an early 6-0 lead, but Michigan countered
with Garvie Craw scoring on a three-yard plunge. Ohio State immediately
regained the advantage when Rex Kern fired a 22-yard TD pass to
Jan White, but it would be OSU’s final score of the day. Michigan
drove 67 yards for the go-ahead score, again on a Craw dive.
UM defensive back Barry Pierson intercepted three passes and had
a 60-yard punt return in the second quarter that set up the clinching
touchdown. All of the scoring was done in the first half. The Wolverines
snapped a 22-game Ohio State winning streak and a 17-game conference
winning streak, although the Bucks did share the league title with
Michigan and were ranked fourth in the final AP poll. The Wolverines
lost the Rose Bowl after Schembechler suffered a heart attack just
prior to the game.
This victory ignited "the 10-year war" between Hayes and Schembechler
which marked the peak of the rivalry.
1970: Ohio State 20, Michigan 9 This was the revenge tilt in Columbus. For the first time in the
rivalry both teams brought perfect records into this tense game.
But Ohio State’s defense limited Michigan to just 37 yards
rushing, compared to 242 for the Buckeyes.
OSU moved on top when Michigan fumbled the opening kickoff and
the Bucks capitalized with a field goal. Michigan tied it on the
first play of the second quarter after Jim Betts returned an interception
to the Buckeye 18. Ohio State moved in front 10-3 when Rex Kern
hit Bruce Jankowski with a 26-yard scoring strike before the half.
Michigan’s Don Moorhead fired a 13-yard TD pass to Paul Staroba
in the third period, but Tim Anderson blocked the PAT to keep the
Bucks in front 10-9. The game entered the fourth period with Ohio
State clinging to a 13-9 edge when linebacker Stan White intercepted
a pass and returned it to the Wolverines nine. Two plays later tailback
Leo Hayden, who gained 117 yards, scored on a 4-yard option pitch
from Kern to put Michigan on ice.
OSU won the National Football Foundation’s national title,
but fell 27-17 to Stanford in the Rose Bowl.
1971: Michigan 10, Ohio State 7 Undefeated Michigan used a brilliant defensive effort to stymie
Ohio State in a controversial win that sent the Wolverines to the
Rose Bowl. Unranked OSU took a 7-3 lead in the third quarter on
Tom Campana’s brilliant 85-yard punt return for a score. He
had five punt returns for 166 yards, outgaining his offensive teammates
by eight yards on the afternoon.
Michigan moved in front on Billy Taylor’s clutch, 21-yard
sweep around right end late in the fourth quarter. The Buckeyes
final march was stymied deep in Michigan territory when defensive
back Thom Darden intercepted a pass. Woody Hayes protested that
Darden had interfered with an Ohio State receiver, but to no avail.
Hayes shredded the down and distance markers and was hit with a
pair of 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties in a scene that was replayed
over and over on national television.
1972: Ohio State 14, Michigan 11 Two tremendous goal-line stands helped ninth-ranked Ohio State
upset undefeated and third-ranked Michigan in a game that belongs
on ESPN Classic. The Wolverines twice had the ball inside the OSU
one but failed to score on fourth-down plays each time.
Michigan took an early 3-0 lead, but Buckeye fullback Champ Henson
scored on a one-yard plunge in the second quarter. Ohio State freshman
Archie Griffin bolted 30 yards for a TD (his only touchdown in the
series) to give the Bucks a 14-3 edge in the third period.
Michigan fought back when fullback Ed Shuttlesworth scored on a
1-yard fourth-down dive. The ensuing two-point conversion made it
14-11, but the Wolverines didn’t score again.
A field goal on either missed goal-line situation would’ve
sent Michigan to the Rose Bowl, but Bo Schembechler wanted no part
of a tie. The Wolverines dominated the statistical battle (344 to
189 in total yardage), but Ohio State collected the Rose Bowl bid.
1973: Michigan 10, Ohio State 10 Only the Notre Dame-Michigan State tie in the previous decade created
the same type of stir in college football circles. Undefeated and
No.1-ranked Ohio State was severely limited in this game as starting
quarterback Cornelius Greene played with a broken thumb. OSU didn’t
complete a pass all day. Sophomore Archie Griffin was the workhorse,
gaining 163 yards on 30 carries. Griffin’s darting runs set
up a 31-yard Blair Conway field goal and a short Pete Johnson touchdown
blast just before the break for a 10-0 halftime bulge.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but fourth-ranked Michigan
dominated the action. Kicker Mike Lantry nailed a 30-yard field
goal early in the period and quarterback Dennis Franklin scored
on a 10-yard run off a fourth-and-one call to draw the Wolverines
into a tie with 9:32 remaining. Ohio State drove past midfield but
when Griffin suffered a slight injury and had to leave the game,
the drive stalled.
Michigan suffered two missed field goals in the final 1:01. That set up a Rose Bowl vote of the conference athletic directors, who decided the undefeated Wolverines wouldn’t be at top form without Franklin, who broke his collarbone in the final period of this contest.
Instead, Ohio State was sent to Pasadena. The Buckeyes proved the wisdom of the vote by skinning USC 42-21 and finishing second in the national poll.
Legendary former Michigan radio play by play announcer Bob Ufer with the commentary:
"I never lost to Michigan. And I take more pride in that than I do winning two Heisman Trophies." Archie Griffin
1974: Ohio State 12, Michigan 10 Once again third-ranked Michigan was undefeated going into the
final game of the season and once again Ohio State played spoiler.
The Wolverines started quickly on a 42-yard touchdown pass from
Dennis Franklin to Gil Chapman. After an OSU fumble, Michigan marched
deep into Ohio State territory to set up a 37-yard field goal from
Vietnam War veteran Mike Lantry. It was 10-0 in the first period,
but Michigan wouldn’t score again.
Tom Klaban, whose family had escaped from behind the Iron Curtain
the previous decade, booted three field goals before the half to
make it a 10-9 game. His 45-yard floater in the third quarter put
the Bucks on top and proved to be the game winner.
Michigan had a final chance, but Lantry’s 33-yard attempt
was wide left in the final seconds.
The second-ranked Buckeyes tasted heartbreak of their own in an
18-17 last-minute loss to USC in the Rose Bowl. It was a decision
that cost Ohio State a national championship.
1975: Ohio State 21, Michigan 14 This is another contest that cries for an ESPN Classic audience.
Undefeated and No.1-ranked Ohio State looked unstoppable on its
opening drive, rolling 63 yards and scoring on a five-yard TD pass
from Cornelius Greene to Pete Johnson. But the OSU offense was stifled
for the next two quarters.
Meanwhile, Michigan tied the game at the half on Gordon Bell’s
halfback pass to Jim Smith. Freshman quarterback Rick Leach scored
on an option keeper in the fourth quarter for a 14-7 lead.
But Green’s passing brought Ohio State back. The Big Ten MVP
tossed a key 17-yard pass to Brian Baschnagel on third-and-long
and followed with completions of 14 and 17 yards to Len Willis.
Archie Griffin, held to less than 100 yards for the first time in
31 games, got loose for gains of 11 and 12 yards to put the ball
at the Michigan 8. Fullback Pete Johnson was called on four straight
times and finally scored on fourth down. The ensuing PAT tied the
game.
On the next series, Leach was intercepted by Ray Griffin, Archie’s
brother, who returned it to the three. Johnson notched his 25th
touchdown of the season with 2:23 to play for the final score.
1979: Ohio State 18, Michigan 15 This game is on ESPN Classic, and it should be. Unbeaten and second-ranked
Ohio State moved the ball convincingly most of the day, but had
trouble scoring. Sophomore All-American quarterback Art Schlichter
threw for 196 yards, including an 18-yard TD pass to Chuck Hunter
to give the Buckeyes their first touchdown against Michigan since
1975.
But Michigan countered with a passing attack of its own. Freshman
receiver Anthony Carter scored on a 59-yard bomb from John Wangler.
Carter set up another score with a 66-yard catch. That staked Michigan
to a 15-12 edge in the fourth quarter.
But Buckeyes Jim Laughlin and Ernie Andria teamed to block a punt
in the fourth quarter and Todd Bell returned the bouncing ball 18
yards for the game-winning score midway through the final period.
OSU dropped a 17-16 Rose Bowl decision to USC, costing the Buckeyes
a national crown.
1981: Ohio State 14, Michigan 9 Clutch defense and a pair of long touchdown drives, one in each
half, helped Ohio State upset Michigan and deny the Wolverines a
Rose Bowl bid.
Four times Bo Schembechler’s team moved inside the OSU 10,
but could not score a touchdown. It marked the first time since
1967 UM failed to score a TD in Michigan Stadium.
Art Schlichter’s one-yard run capped an 82-yard drive in the
second quarter, but Michigan moved in front with a pair of third-period
field goals. In the final quarter Ohio State rolled 80 yards, with
Schlichter again scoring, this time on a third-and-goal call at
the Michigan six. Schlichter faked out two defenders and fullback
Vaughn Broadnax threw a key block to clear just enough room for
the touchdown.
OSU claimed a Big Ten co-title with this victory.
1986: Michigan 26, Ohio State 24 Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh guaranteed this win, but that
promise was realized only after OSU kicker Matt Frantz missed a
45-yard field goal with 1:06 remaining that could have won the game.
The two teams combined for more than 800 yards of total offense,
but Ohio State couldn’t hold on to an early 14-3 lead.
Michigan tailback Jamie Morris was unstoppable, compiling 210 yards
and Harbaugh added 261 yards passing. Michigan opened a 26-17 bulge,
but OSU stayed in contention thanks to Vince Workman’s 126
yards rushing and 29 tackles from linebacker Chris Spielman.
1990: Michigan 16, Ohio State 13 J.D. Carlson’s 37-yard field goal with three seconds to play
moved Michigan into a four-way tie for the conference title and
sent Ohio State free-falling to fifth-place in the Big Ten standings.
The Buckeyes needed only a win to go to the Rose Bowl, but that
situation prompted a risky decision by Ohio State coach John Cooper.
Facing a 4th-and-one at his own 29 and only 38 seconds remaining,
Cooper opted to go for it. But Greg Frey’s option keeper was
stuffed in the backfield to set up the Michigan win.
Ohio State won the statistical battle, but suffered three interceptions.
It was the beginning of a curse that would haunt Cooper throughout
his OSU tenure.
1991: Michigan 31, Ohio State 3 This was the Desmond Howard show, a performance that pushed the
Michigan receiver toward the Heisman Trophy. The Cleveland native
racked up 223 all-purpose yards, caught passes of 50 and 42 yards
and returned a punt 93 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Howard capped that return by striking a Heisman pose in the end
zone, it was a fitting signature to a fine career.
Michigan won its fourth straight game over Ohio State and handed
the Buckeyes their worst loss in the series since a 58-6 drubbing
in 1946. The Wolverines were the outright Big Ten champions and
OSU finished third in the conference.
1993: Michigan 28, Ohio State 0 It’s hard to imagine this game being an upset. Michigan looked
like the superior team throughout. But Ohio State came into the
contest undefeated and needing a win to reach the Rose Bowl. The
Buckeyes were never in it as quarterbacks Bob Hoying and Bret Powers
combined to throw four interceptions.
Michigan ran for 281 yards, with Tyrone Wheatley gaining 105 and
quarterback Todd Collins pitching two TD passes.
John Cooper’s record against Michigan dipped to 0-5-1.
1995: Michigan 31, Ohio State 23
Eventual Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George was the offensive focus
in this game, but his 104 yards were less than one-third the total
of Michigan running back Tim Biakabutuka. The second-ranked and
undefeated Buckeyes featured an offense averaging 39.8 points per
game. But Bilitnikoff Award winning receiver Terry Glenn fired up
the Wolverine defense by claiming “Michigan is nothing”
in the week leading up to the game.
Actually, it was the OSU defense that was nothing as far as Biakabutuka
was concerned. The Wolverine standout gained 313 yards on 37 carries
in the biggest game ever against an Ohio State defense. Michigan
freshman Charles Woodson, of Fremont, stifled the Bucks’ final
drive with his second interception of the day.
1996: Michigan 13, Ohio State 9 No. 2-ranked Ohio State was in complete command throughout the
first half, but could not crack the end zone and held a precarious
9-0 edge on three Josh Jackson field goals. But Buckeye cornerback
Shawn Springs slipped in coverage and Michigan receiver Tai Streets
took a short slant pass 69 yards for a score. Remy Hamilton followed
with field goals of 44 and 39 yards to clinch the win.
The Buckeyes again suffered miserable quarterback play. Joe Germaine
and Stan Jackson combined for 13-of-35 accuracy for 157 yards and
an interception.
1997: Michigan 20, Ohio State 14 Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, of Fremont, Ohio, almost
single-handedly won this game for the undefeated and No.1-ranked
Wolverines. He did it after being challenged by Ohio State sophomore
David Boston, who said he played against better cornerbacks in practice
and that OSU should win “by two touchdowns.”
Woodson intercepted a Stan Jackson pass in the end zone to thwart
one Ohio State drive, caught a 31-yard pass from quarterback Brian
Griese to set up Michigan’s first touchdown and returned a
punt 78 yards for another score.
Michigan’s final TD came when Jackson was again intercepted.
This time the struggling starter threw a pass directly to Andre
Weathers and the startled Michigan defender bolted 44 yards for
a score and a 20-0 lead.
Fourth-ranked OSU battled back with Joe Germaine throwing a 56-yard
TD pass to Boston. A Griese fumble at the Michigan two set up a
short touchdown run by Pepe Pearson, but that was the game’s
final score.
Michigan went on to win the national championship by beating Washington
State in the Rose Bowl.
1998: Ohio State 31, Michigan 16 The tables were finally turned in this contest as Ohio State cost
Michigan a Rose Bowl bid. The Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 for 10
weeks, but were shocked by Michigan State two weeks earlier. Oddly,
that defeat seemed to ease the pressure around coach John Cooper
who brought a 1-8-1 record against Michigan into this game. The
Buckeyes played loosely and it showed.
Receiver David Boston had 10 catches, 217 yards and two touchdowns.
Joe Germaine completed 16-of-28 yards for 330 yards and three TDs.
Running back Michael Wiley gained 120 yards on 12 carries and added
a score.
Michigan was down 14-0 in the first five minutes as Wiley ripped
off a 53-yard scoring run and Germaine hit Dee Miller for a 16-yard
TD pass. Germaine added scoring strikes of 30 and 43 yards to Boston.
Michigan got within 21-10 at the half, but never really threatened
to win the game.
Ohio State earned a Sugar Bowl berth, thumped Texas A&M 24-14
and finished the year ranked No. 2.
2001: Ohio State 26, Michigan 20 Upon his hiring the previous January, new Ohio State coach Jim
Tressel said: “You'll be proud of our young people in the classroom,
in the community, and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor,
Mich., on the football field.”
He was right.
Playing without suspended starting quarterback Steve Bellisari,
the Bucks rallied behind Michigan native Craig Krenzel, who was
making his first start at quarterback. The Buckeyes won in Ann Arbor
for the first time since 1987 thanks to a big first half from running
back Jonathan Wells and two key interceptions by All-American safety
Mike Doss.
OSU rolled to a surprising 23-0 lead in the second quarter on three
Wells TD runs and a botched shotgun snap by Michigan. The Wolverines
battled back behind the inspired play of receiver Marquis Walker.
But Doss came up with his second interception of the game in the
fourth quarter and that led to a crucial field goal from Mike Nugent
that put Michigan into a desperation mode throughout the final period.
The Buckeyes played very conservatively in the second half, registering
just one first down, but hung on for the win.
2002: Ohio State 14, Michigan 9 Undefeated and second-ranked Ohio State needed a win over a Top 10 Michigan
team to secure a shared league title with Iowa and a spot in the national championship
game.
True to Ohio State’s nature in this particular season, the Michigan game went down
to the final play. Wolverine QB John Navarre controlled most of the first half with his
uncanny ability to convert third downs. Michigan moved the ball as no other OSU foe had
to date. Coach Lloyd Carr’s team had just three possessions in the first half, and each
were long, time-consuming drives that ended in field goals. In fact, Michigan was 8-of-11
on third-down conversions, and all three misses were followed by made field goals.
OSU managed just one noteworthy drive in the first half, but made it count. Maurice Clarett
bounced off the bench to spark the first-quarter march and completed it with a 2-yard plunge.
Still, Michigan led 9-7 at the intermission.
With the pressure mounting, Ohio State finally took advantage of good field position midway
through the fourth period. A fourth-and-one sneak by QB Craig Krenzel and a 26-yard pass to
Clarett put the Bucks in scoring range. Two plays later Maurice Hall took an option pitch three
yards for the game-winning TD with 4:55 remaining.
Michigan had two chances late. Junior defensive lineman Darrion Scott stripped Navarre and
end Will Smith recovered the fumble deep in OSU territory to thwart one threat. Navarre gamely
led the Wolverines on a length of the field drive, and with one second showing had one final
shot. But his pass for Braylon Edwards in the end zone was intercepted by reserve defensive
back Will Allen to end the game. OSU was 13-0 overall, 8-0 in the conference, and headed to
Tempe, Ariz. for a date with destiny.
2005: Ohio State 25, Michigan 21 It didn't look like much fun when a 19-yard field goal by Garrett Rivas put Michigan in front 21-12 with 7:49 to play. The Buckeyes had handed over 10 points with turnovers, their usually spectacular special teams had almost completely betrayed them and they hadn't scored a touchdown since taking the opening kickoff 80 yards.
But then another Ohio State legend in this unmatched rivalry was born ... actually, reborn.
Quarterback Troy Smith, the catalyst in last year's win over Michigan, tormented the Wolverines again. His 26-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes pulled Ohio State within 21-19 and then he drove the Buckeyes 88 yards in the final 4:18, completing his last six passes.
A leaping 26-yard catch by sophomore Anthony Gonzalez carried the Buckeyes to the 4, setting up Antonio Pittman's game-winning 3-yard run with 24 seconds to play.
It was turnovers and muffed punts that almost did in the Buckeyes. Fumbles by Smith and tailback Maurice Wells led to 10 points and helped Michigan erase deficits of 9-0 and 12-7. Ted Ginn Jr. mishandled two punts that cost OSU excellent field position in the third quarter and an 18-yard punt by A.J. Trapasso led to a TD, putting Michigan in front 18-12.
Smith accounted for 386 yards and three touchdowns in last year's 37-21 win over Michigan. Thanks to a career-high 300 passing yards from Smith, who also ran for a TD, Ohio State also won for the second time in its last three trips to Michigan Stadium.
2006: Ohio State 42, Michigan 39 The 2006 game had Ohio State ranked as the #1 team in the nation and Michigan the #2 ranked team in the nation. Not only would this year's game determine the outright Big Ten Champion, the winner would also get a berth in the BCS National Title game Jan. 8, 2007, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
Never before had the two teams met when ranked #1 & #2. It was also the first time both were undefeated since the 1973 game. Never had they met when both were 11-0, which they were this season.
Quarterback Troy Smith once again was the catalyst in this year's game. He became only the second OSU quarterback to lead the Buckeyes to three straight wins over TSUN. Troy completed 29 of 41 passes for 316 yards and four touchdowns in front of a record crowd of 105,708 fans at Ohio Stadium.
In Smith's three games vs. Michigan, he has 1,051 total yards and has thrown for seven touchdowns and rushed for another. Smith has completed 69 of 101 passes for 857 yards and has 33 rushes for 194 yards.
The win clinched the first outright Big Ten title for the Buckeyes since 1984 and was its 31st conference title in school history. The victory extended the nation's longest win streak to 19 games and The Bucks finished 8-0 in the Big Ten.
Michigan had little problem moving the ball on the opening possession of the game, covering 80 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead just 2 minutes, 28 seconds into the game. The Buckeyes answered the score to tie the game, 7-7, on a 1-yard catch by Roy Hall from Smith.
Chris Wells broke through the vaunted Michigan front seven and raced 52 yards to put the Bucks up 14-7. Smith then hooked up with Ginn for a 39-yard score that put the Buckeyes in front 21-7 with 6:11 to play in the first half. The Wolverines answered when Chad Henne hit Adrian Arrington for a 37-yard scoring strike to pull the Wolverines within seven points with 2:33 to play before intermission. However Smith led the Bucks on an nine-play, 80-yard drive and threw his third touchdown of the game, this time an 8-yard pass to Gonzalez, to give Ohio State a 28-14 lead with just 20 seconds to play in the half.
Michigan scored the first ten points of the second half, the FG aided by a tipped ball interception, to cut the margin to 28-24. The Buckeyes answered when Antonio Pittman ran over the right end for a 56-yard touchdown to make it 35-24.
A second OSU turnover, this time a fumble, allowed Michigan to score and to pull within 35-31 with 14:41 remaining in the game. Smith led the Buckeyes on an 11 play, 74 yard drive, culminated with his fourth touchdown pass of the game to Brian Robiskie, to give Ohio State a 42-31 lead with 5:38 to play. The Wolverines scored with 2:16 to play and made the two point conversion to make the final score 42-39.
Ted Ginn recovered Michigan's onsides kick and the Buckeyes coverted a first down on 3 and 2 and then ran out the clock.
This marked the third straight win for the Buckeyes against TSUN and improved Coach Tressel's record to 5-1 against Carr and the Wolverines.
2013: Ohio State 42, Michigan 41 A victory preserved in the waning moments by Powell's pick of a Devin Gardner pass.
"He threw the ball," Powell said, "I ran out, listened to coach [Kerry] Coombs and boom, there it was."
Gardner connected with receiver Devin Funchess for a two-yard touchdown with 32 seconds remaining and coach Brady Hoke opted to stow his special teams on the sideline.
"I would have done the same thing," said Ohio State coach Urban Meyer. "You go win the game there. No question. Both offenses were kind of in unstoppable mode."
Meyer called a timeout to provide his defense a brief reprieve. As Powell prepared to return to the line of scrimmage, Coombs shouted some final advice in his direction. He told the Bedford, Ohio, native to watch for a receiver to motion to the right and form a set of three targets before running an angle route.
Powell recognized the play from his film study and from practice. So he swapped assignments with linebacker Josh Perry, who pressured the quarterback. Gardner dropped back and swiftly fired the football into Powell's grasp.
"I was thinking to myself, 'Coach Coombs is a genius,'" Powell said.
2016: Ohio State 30, Michigan 27 2OT After Gareon Conley broke up a third-down slant pass, forcing Michigan to settle for a 37-yard field goal at the start of the second overtime, the Buckeyes (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) and gambled and nearly lost.
After Curtis Samuel reversed field on a swing pass that was dead to rights on the right side of the field -- he turned a sure loss into an 8-yard gain on Ohio State's craziest play of the season -- the Buckeyes were set up with a fourth-and-1 and a decision to play for the tie, or go for it.
J.T. Barrett kept the ball on fourth down and ran into the back of tight end A.J. Alexander. The spot was close, and reviewed, but determined to be a first down.
Samuel ran in from 15 yards out on the next play to win the game.
Works Cited: "Key Buckeye-Wolverine games sprinkled through every decade" by Larry Phillips of Gannett News Service; "Tressel secures another Michigan win for O-H-I-O" by Jon Spencer, Gannett News Service; The Ohio State University Archives, the Offical site of the Ohio State University Athletics Department, The Ozone.
The greatest rivalry in all of sports...all the results of every game and much more.
OSU's Greatest Football Wins: Michigan BuckeyeSports.com finishes their countdown of the Greatest Wins in Ohio State history with the biggest game there is, the Michigan rivalry. Which victory is the Buckeyes' best against their hated rivals?
