College Football

College Football Fans Respond To ‘The Game:’ Unranked Michigan Upsets No. 2 Ohio State In Rivalry Game Marred By Post-Game Hijinks

Disclosure
We publish independently audited information that meets our strong editorial guidelines. Be aware we may earn a commission if you purchase anything via links on our pages.
col fb mich osu fight postgame (1)

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 …  

Saturday morning, the letter M was stripped from the Columbus, Ohio, campus … 

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 … 

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 … 

Michigan entered Ohio Stadium … 

The trash-talking started soon after the Wolverines took the field … 

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 …  

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 … 

Michigan’s Aamir Hall intercepted Howard on a third-down pass and returned it to the Buckeyes’ 2-yard line …  

The turnover led to Michigan taking the lead on Mullings’ 1-yard scoring plunge, its lone touchdown of the game … 

The fight was on. It continued postgame … 

Howard took a clean shot from safety Makari Paige, knocking him out of the game … 

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 …  

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… 

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 …  

Downs set up the Buckeyes with a third-quarter interception … 

But, after vanilla play-calling by the Buckeyes, Fielding missed his second short attempt … 

The rivals entered the fourth quarter tied. “It’s anybody’s game,” Johnson announced just before a commercial … 

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 … 

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 …  

Zvada wins it … 

Final score: Michigan 13, No. 2 Ohio State 10 … 

Ohio State players took offense to Michigan celebrating … 

Mullings spoke out over the post-game hijinks … 

From being a national championship contender to hearing calls his job, Day’s haters will continue to grow …