COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday, likely ending the Buckeyes’ hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game.
Late in the game, Kalel Mullings broke away for a 27-yard run, setting up the Wolverines (7-5, 5-4) at Ohio State’s 17-yard line with two minutes remaining. The drive stalled at the 3, and Zvada came on for the chip shot.
The Buckeyes (10-2, 7-2, No. 2 CFP) got the ball back but couldn’t move it, with Will Howard throwing incomplete on fourth down to seal the Wolverines’ fourth straight win over their bitter rival.
This loss might have been the toughest of those four for the Buckeyes because the Wolverines were unranked and were wrapping up a disappointing season. The Buckeyes were supposed to win, but records rarely mean much when these two teams meet.
The Buckeyes needs No. 4 Penn State and No. 10 Indiana to lose later Saturday in order to make it into the Big Ten title game next week.
The Buckeyes were off all afternoon. Howard was 19 for 33 for 175 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions and Jayden Fielding missed two field-goal attempts. The run game was hardly there.
Mullings was the Wolverines’ primary weapon. He rushed for 116 yards and their only touchdown of the game in the first half as neither team could get much going offensively on a frigid afternoon.
Howard was clunky all day. In the first half,f he threw an interception from deep in his own territory that led to Michigan’s touchdown.
After the game, Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag at midfield and were confronted by Buckeyes players. A skirmish ensued as both teams pushed and shoved before being separated.
The takeaway
Michigan: Did just enough and caught the Buckeyes on an off day.
Ohio State: It’s inexplicable how badly the Buckeyes played in their biggest game of the season.
Poll implications
The Buckeyes will fall.
Up next
The Wolverines will wait for a minor bowl game. The Buckeyes will see how the College Football Playoff rankings shake out.
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