Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Columbus, OH — With the Big Ten Championship and Rose Bowl berth already in the bag, the Buckeyes hoped to make Michigan their 11th victim of the year and record their first unbeaten season since 1979. But in a tale of two halves, the Wolverines rallied from a 9-0 deficit and pulled off the upset, in the process snapping a two-game losing streak of their own.

Ohio State dominated the first half, outgaining their visitors 220-62 in total yards, and led 9-0 at intermission on three Josh Jackson field goals. But the Wolverines defense held when it had to, twice forcing the Buckeyes to settle for short field goals instead of touchdowns. Pepe Pearson had 107 yards in the first half, including a 34-yard run to the Michigan two on fourth down that resulted in OSU’s first three pointer.

Michigan struck with lightning quickness in the third quarter when quarterback Brian Griese and split end Tai Streets hooked up on a 69-yard scoring pass on the Wolverines’ second play from scrimmage. OSU cornerback slipped down on the play, enabling Streets to run untouched into the end zone for the only touchdown of the day.

The Wolverines took the lead for good on a 43-yard field goal by Remy Hamilton on the last play of the third quarter. Hamilton also hit a 39 yarder with 1:19 to play in the game.

OSU had one final possession, but Joe Germaine’s desperation heave on fourth-and-23 was intercepted, ending any hopes of a miracle comeback.

The Buckeyes wound up with 304 total yards, five more than Michigan, but the Wolverines had the ball for 18 minutes in the second half.

The OSU defense was led by Andy Katzenmoyer and Damon Moore with 11 tackles each, and by Rob Kelly who had 10.

The crowd of 94,676 was the largest of the year and the sixth largest in Ohio Stadium history.