In a rivalry matchup that was supposed to be lopsided, unranked Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State, 13-10, Saturday at Ohio Stadium. The loss likely ended the Buckeyes’ quest to play in the Big Ten Championship Game and possibly their national championship aspirations.
Questionable coaching by Ohio State’s Ryan Day and misplays took centerstage for college football fans on social media Saturday. Quarterback Will Howard missed several open throws and kicker Jayden Fielding missed two short attempts as the Buckeyes fell to 10-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten.
Connecting on both of his opportunities, kicker Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds remaining to clinch Michigan’s fourth consecutive series victory. The Wolverines (7-5, 5-4) entered “The Game” as 23.5-point underdogs, the series’ widest sports-betting margin since 1978.
Michigan running back Kalel Mullings executed the play of the game late in the fourth quarter, scampering 27 second-chance yards after initially being stopped at the line of scrimmage.
While Michigan fans continue rejoicing, embittered Buckeyes loyalists’ complaints likely will grow louder. Post-game fights between the teams marred the outcome.
X (Twitter) users replied to an unranked Michigan squad beating a ranked Ohio State team for the first time since the “Snow Bowl” of 1950. At Ohio Stadium, over 50,000 fans watched the No. 8 Buckeyes fall, 9-3. They probably felt warmer than the 106,000-plus who departed The Horseshoe Saturday …
November 25, 1950
Michigan @ #8 Ohio State(Michigan is on defense) pic.twitter.com/NaPwA6Ne5D
— Random Michigan Play Every Day (@Michplay_a_day) November 27, 2024
Saturday morning, the letter M was stripped from the Columbus, Ohio, campus …
Can’t find an M anywhere on campus🤯
Well done @OhioStateFB fans 👏 pic.twitter.com/gE4HyVqEBj
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 30, 2024
After losing three straight to Michigan, Day felt the pressure to end the skid. Big Noon Kickoff’s Brady Quinn called Saturday’s matchup as “arguably the biggest game of his career.” Some wondered if the 120th edition of “The Game” would be his last …
“This is not about them, this is about us. About our State, this is about our culture, our work ethic, our integrity”
Ryan Day with his most passionate Skull Session of the season.
It’s time for The Game! pic.twitter.com/aEcYbuoMm1
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) November 30, 2024
Michigan legend and current biased broadcaster Charles Woodson sounded off as if he were challenging injured cornerbacks Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland, a Mackey Award finalist. Both players were ruled out and project to be NFL first-round draft choices next April …
"They gotta really be hurt… You gotta really be hurt… I don't care about who you are as a player in terms of your status as an NFL player… This is The Game." – Charles Woodson on Michigan stars Will Johnson & Colston Loveland being out vs Ohio Statepic.twitter.com/A9sQvf2XW7
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 30, 2024
Michigan entered Ohio Stadium …
The Michigan Wolverines march into Ohio Stadium
I did not see Will Johnson or Colston Loveland get off the bus pic.twitter.com/cXSqoqbrwJ
— Joel Sebastianelli (@JJSebastianelli) November 30, 2024
The trash-talking started soon after the Wolverines took the field …
The chirping has started!
Stay till the end for Jack Sawyer getting fired up.
THE GREATEST RIVALRY IN ALL OF SPORTS pic.twitter.com/Hh56bdg7Zv
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) November 30, 2024
The Buckeyes scored first on a nine-play, first-quarter drive, highlighted by a pass interference penalty in the end zone. Michigan got the red-zone stop and forced a field-goal attempt …
First lead of THE Game! https://t.co/rxzDryk8e6
— Trent Ging (@TrentGing15) November 30, 2024
The Buckeyes entered Saturday as the No. 1-ranked red-zone defense. The Wolverines drove to the 10-yard line on their next possession and stuffed running back Mullings on fourth-and-one as safety Caleb Downs made the fill to make the stand …
A closer look at the massive @OhioStateFB Stop on 4th & 1 🌰🔒 pic.twitter.com/7CVHNEeCEd
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024
Michigan’s Aamir Hall intercepted Howard on a third-down pass and returned it to the Buckeyes’ 2-yard line …
BUT MICHIGAN RESPONDS! BACK AGAIN NEAR THE ENDZONE pic.twitter.com/k8jOFxjf11
— BetOnline (@BetOnline_ag) November 30, 2024
The turnover led to Michigan taking the lead on Mullings’ 1-yard scoring plunge, its lone touchdown of the game …
TD KALEL MULLINGS! pic.twitter.com/vqDW5ZIr67
— uofmcoverage (@uofmcoverage) November 30, 2024
The fight was on. It continued postgame …
This rivalry never fails. #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/PbaSkdUhhG
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) November 30, 2024
Howard took a clean shot from safety Makari Paige, knocking him out of the game …
Will Howard just took a BIG hit 😳 pic.twitter.com/lCkvwdkokE
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024
Howard quickly returned with emotion after being cleared by medical personnel and missed on a third-down pass. The Buckeyes then missed a 38-yard field goal attempt …
Will Howard is back in the game for @OhioStateFB 💪 pic.twitter.com/1Z0VHHmTuv
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 30, 2024
The Buckeyes may have missed a chance to add three points, Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada connected on a 54-yard field goal, prompting announcer Gus Johnson to say: “The NFL scouts must be salivating” as the Wolverines claimed a 10-3, second-quarter advantage…
Dominic Zvada hit a 54-yard field goal.
Michigan’s kicker is now 7-for-7 on 50+ kicks this season.
Video: @CFBONFOX
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 30, 2024
After producing just 81 yards on their opening 25 first-half offensive plays, the Buckeyes turned to the passing game and Jeremiah Smith’s scoring reception, tying the score a 10-all with 30 seconds left until halftime …
JEREMIAH SMITH IS WIDE OPEN
Touchdown Ohio State ⭕️
pic.twitter.com/p24GCYJpxQ— College Football Fan (@CFB_Fan_) November 30, 2024
Downs set up the Buckeyes with a third-quarter interception …
CALEB DOWNS IS HI❌. pic.twitter.com/kBYoaDhnMO
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 30, 2024
But, after vanilla play-calling by the Buckeyes, Fielding missed his second short attempt …
Other teams on 3rd and long in opponent territory: we have to pass, we need to score 7
Ryan day and chip Kelly: now here’s an idea🤓. Let’s run right up the middle and settle for a field goal where our kicker already missed a chip shot https://t.co/2ez50mvrAe
— Benji Kotzin (@BenjiKotzin) November 30, 2024
The rivals entered the fourth quarter tied. “It’s anybody’s game,” Johnson announced just before a commercial …
The worst Michigan team I've seen since the shortened 2020 season or the 2014 season comes into this game as 20.5 point underdogs vs #2 Ohio State and manages to be tied 10-10 going into the 4th quarter.#RivalryWeek pic.twitter.com/acvD0RzSVr
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) November 30, 2024
Back to the action, Michigan, on its 15th play of a drive, Warren, a former walk-on, threw an interception to Jack Sawyer, an Ohio native and senior who entered Saturday 0-3 vs Michigan, executed with a career-defining play. It was his first career interception. The play left the Fox Sports broadcast booth screeching with excitement …
JACK SAWYER.
The captain saves the Buckeyes with a HUGE interception at the goal line! pic.twitter.com/MkzIiSONFg
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) November 30, 2024
More questionable play-calling led to a three-and-out, forcing a punt with 6:13 remaining. Highlighted by Mullings’ key third-down run, Michigan marched 57 yards on 11 plays to set up the winning field-goal attempt …
Kalel Mullings is playing tough. Looks like he is limping.
And boy oh boy, what a run
Video: @CFBONFOX pic.twitter.com/KSfPfUjoy6
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 30, 2024
Zvada wins it …
Dominic Zvada connects to give Michigan the late lead at No. 2 Ohio State 🙌#B1GFootball on @CFBONFOX 📺 pic.twitter.com/GfQzAmv2pO
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 30, 2024
Final score: Michigan 13, No. 2 Ohio State 10 …
FOUR IN A ROW! Michigan takes out Ohio State with a 13-10 win.
What. A. WIN. pic.twitter.com/1E60EhlIMd
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) November 30, 2024
Ohio State players took offense to Michigan celebrating …
After Michigan (6-5) upset number 2 ranked Ohio State 13-10 a full on melee erupted as Michigan tried to Baker Mayfield their flag in the middle of the Ohio State field. I think the Eufaula Ironheads could have beat either one of them. pic.twitter.com/fr2kFLGb6S
— David Walters (@DavidLWalters) November 30, 2024
Mullings spoke out over the post-game hijinks …
JUST IN: Brawl breaks out between Ohio State and Michigan after Michigan planted their flag down on the Ohio State logo.
The incident happened after Michigan pulled off a 13-10 win over number 2 ranked Ohio State.
The fight lasted for a few minutes.
“For such a great game, you… pic.twitter.com/AuVxK2WMmP
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 30, 2024
From being a national championship contender to hearing calls his job, Day’s haters will continue to grow …
MICHIGAN DEFEATS OHIO STATE FOR THE 4TH STRAIGHT YEAR 😳 pic.twitter.com/ry0STpm6e1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 30, 2024
