In a matchup worthy of The Game’s legacy, No. 6 Michigan and Ohio State traded blows for four quarters before the Buckeyes escaped with a 38–35 win at home, sealed by a walk-off 21-yard field goal from Jackson Courville as time expired.
Despite Michigan’s big-play advantages on the ground and through the air, Ohio State’s balanced offense, efficient passing attack, and long fourth-quarter drive proved to be the difference.
First Half: Offensive Fireworks From Both Sides
The teams wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard:
First Quarter
- Michigan struck first on a 28-yard TD pass from Bryce Underwood to Brady Prieskorn.
- Ohio State answered quickly—Avery Johnson found Brandon Inniss for a 2-yard TD.
The 7–7 opening frame set the tone: both offenses clicking, neither defense able to seize early momentum.
Second Quarter
The second quarter mirrored the first—fast, explosive, and back-and-forth:
- Michigan regained the lead with Jalen Buckley’s 5-yard TD run.
- OSU answered with another Jeremiah Smith TD, this one a 6-yard grab.
- Michigan landed its biggest punch of the half when Underwood hit Fredrick Moore for a 52-yard TD bomb.
- Ohio State struck back with a 19-yard TD to Smith, his third touchdown of the first half.
By halftime, the score sat deadlocked at 21–21, both offenses rolling with no sign of slowing.
Second Half: Quarterbacks Take Control
Third Quarter
Michigan delivered the highlight of the game when Bryce Underwood broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run, giving the Wolverines a 28–21 lead.
But Ohio State again had an answer: Jeremiah Smith capped another Buckeye drive with a 27-yard TD reception, tying the game for the fourth time, 28–28.
Fourth Quarter
The Buckeyes struck first in the final frame—Avery Johnson found Smith yet again for a 6-yard TD, giving OSU a 35–28 edge.
Michigan responded with another clutch moment from Underwood, who powered in a 9-yard TD run to tie the game, 35–35, with just over three minutes remaining.
That set the stage for the decisive final drive.
Final Drive: Methodical, Precise, and Game-Winning
With the game tied and only seconds remaining, Ohio State engineered a poised end-of-game march:
- Johnson hit multiple short, controlled passes.
- Michigan’s defense, bending all game, finally broke as OSU crossed into field-goal range.
- With the clock winding to zero, Jackson Courville drilled a 21-yard field goal, securing the 38–35 win as time expired.
The Buckeyes’ ability to protect the ball—zero interceptions, zero fumbles lost—was crucial in closing out the final possession.
Statistical Breakdown
Team Stats Comparison
| Category | Michigan | Ohio State |
| Final Score | 35 | 38 |
| First Downs | 14 | 28 |
| Total Offense | 356 | 509 |
| Yards per Play | 9.1 | 8.1 |
| Rushing | 22 for 199 (3 TD) | 27 for 98 (0 TD) |
| Yards per Rush | 9.0 | 3.6 |
| Passing | 157 yards, 2 TD | 411 yards, 5 TD |
| 3rd Down | 2/8 (25%) | 4/10 (40%) |
| Time of Possession | 11:58 | 24:02 |
Key Takeaways
Michigan dominated on the ground, averaging a massive 9 yards per carry, fueled by Underwood’s two rushing scores and the explosive 68-yard run.
Ohio State dominated the air, with Avery Johnson throwing 5 touchdown passes and racking up 411 yards.
The Buckeyes doubled Michigan in total plays (63 to 39), winning the possession battle by more than 12 minutes.
Michigan’s offense was explosive but inconsistent; OSU’s was steadier and more methodical.
Conclusion
Michigan delivered big plays, but Ohio State delivered consistency—and the final blow.
Behind Avery Johnson’s 5-TD passing performance and Jeremiah Smith’s multi-score showcase, the Buckeyes overcame multiple deficits, controlled the clock, and executed a flawless final drive to secure the rivalry win.
The Wolverines, meanwhile, showed elite explosiveness but were ultimately undone by defensive breakdowns and a lopsided time-of-possession battle.
Final: Ohio State 38, Michigan 35. Let The Game debates continue.
