Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Ann Arbor, MI — The Buckeyes jumped out to a stunning 23-0 lead in the first half behind the running of tailback Jonathan Wells, who shredded the Michigan defense for 122 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. Wells scored on runs of 1, 46 and 11 yards to put OSU on top 21-0 with 4:34 to play. His first and third touchdowns followed interceptions by the OSU defense and his 46-yard run came on fourth-and-one. A Michigan safety with 35 seconds left in the half sent Ohio State into the locker room with what turned out to be an insurmountable lead.

With Wells out in the second half with leg cramps and starting tackle Shane Olivea shelved with a broken ankle, the Buckeyes led 26-20 with 2:26 to play. But OSU’s Chris Vance recovered an onside kick and Ohio State recorded its first victory in Ann Arbor since 1987, in the process locking up undisputed third place in the final Big Ten standings. The loss cost the Wolverines a share of the Big Ten title and a BCS berth.

The Buckeyes defense recorded three sacks (two by end Will Smith) and forced five turnovers, including a pair of interceptions by safety Mike Doss.