Michigan Stuns No. 2 Ohio State for Thrilling 13-10 Victory
The Ohio State Buckeyes were frustrated in the Shoe. A resilient Michigan squad pulled off an upset 13-10 victory, securing their bragging rights and ending Ohio State’s playoff hopes.
Defensive Dominance Defines a Thriller
The Wolverines held Ohio State scoreless in the second half, led by a pair of critical interceptions from sophomore defensive backs Aamir Hall and Makari Paige, holding the Buckeyes to a season-low 10 points.
The game unfolded like a classic Big Ten slugfest.
Michigan started slowly, punting on its opening drive and allowing a scoring drive fueled by Ohio State’s passing game. Michigan countered, however, with Kalel Mullings doing the heavy lifting on a long drive capped by a one-yard score.
The Second Quarter: Momentum Swings and Missed Opportunities
Ohio State answered with a touchdown and seemed poised to take control. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the half, and the score knotted at 10, OSU lined up for what could have been a go-ahead field goal.
Desperation followed. The kick was blocked, keeping the score tied at halftime.
Early in the third quarter, Michigan’s defense forced another three-and-out from the stoic Ohio State offense.
With a little over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines pinned Ohio State deep, setting up a crucial drive.
A Final Crucial Drive
Warren, weaving through the Buckeye defense, knew this drive required efficient claustrophobia. Careful not to turn the ball over, Michigan relied heavily on the motors of the offensive line, and the resolve of the Wolverine workhorse Kalel Mullings.
With less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, a tense silence fell over Ohio Stadium. Despite the missed field goal attempts, the tension remained palpable.
Michigan swallowed up most of the clock, winding down the clock with each energized run by
Mullings.
The clock ticked down to just under 45 seconds. With the game on the line, Michigan’s kicker, Zvada, this time comfortably split the posts.
The Wolverines defense then stood tall and held on in a last-ditch effort by a desperate Ohio State drive to seal the upset.
As the clock hit zero, pandemonium erupted, leaving no room for any doubt about who ruled the Big Ten
How did the loss against Michigan affect Ohio State’s chances of making the playoffs?
## The Big House Rivalry: Michigan Delivers a Shocker
**Host:** Welcome back! This past weekend delivered one of the most thrilling college football matchups of the year – the 120th edition of the rivalry game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Joining us now to discuss this nail-biting upset is our esteemed sports analyst, Jim Thompson. Jim, thanks for being here.
**Jim Thompson:** Thanks for having me! I don’t think anyone expected this kind of outcome, but what a game it was!
**Host:** Absolutely. Michigan, facing a top-ranked Ohio State team, pulled off a stunning 13-10 victory in a true defensive battle. What were some of the key factors that contributed to this upset?
**Jim Thompson:** This was a classic case of a team’s defense carrying them to victory. You have to give credit to Michigan; they were absolutely relentless. They held Ohio State scoreless in the second half, which is no small feat against an offense as potent as theirs. Sophomore defensive backs Aamir Hall and Makari Paige were absolute game-changers with their crucial interceptions. [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/30/sport/brawl-mars-michigan-upset-of-rival-ohio-state-spt-intl/index.html)]
**Host:** And that defensive effort ultimately shut down Ohio State’s playoff hopes. How disappointing must that be for the Buckeyes, especially after coming into the game ranked number two?
**Jim Thompson:** It’s incredibly disappointing for Ohio State. They had national championship aspirations, and this loss shatters those dreams. The frustration was clearly evident after the final whistle, unfortunately culminating in a brawl between the players.
**Host:** You’re right, the post-game brawl overshadowed what was an incredible game.
**Jim Thompson:** It’s a shame. This rivalry is always intense, but we need to see sportsmanship prevail. Thankfully, it doesn’t take away from Michigan’s well-deserved victory. They played with grit, heart, and an extraordinary defense that secured them the win.
**Host:** Well said, Jim. Thanks so much for sharing your insights with us. And, congratulations to the Michigan Wolverines on their impressive upset win!
