Saturday’s game was an hour-long nightmare for Michigan. The Wolverines’ (8-1, 10-2) number-one rated defense didn’t stop the Buckeyes (8-1, 11-1) from putting up 567 total yards, or scoring 8 touchdowns.
Buckeye quarterback Dwayne Haskins dominated events. Haskins threw a 24-yard pass to wide receiver Chris Olave, scoring an early touchdown at 11:29 in the first quarter. A little distant thunder on Michigan’s horizon perhaps, but nothing extraordinary. Michigan kicker Jake Moody replied with a 39-yard field goal. Moody then kicked a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter. This put the score 6-7, Ohio leading. So far, so good.
The storm gathered during the second quarter. Haskins threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave. Haskins then threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Johnnie Dixon. This put the score to 6-21, Ohio leading. Michigan’s number-one rated defense seemed suddenly second, their zone scheme ineffective.
But the Wolverines came back strong with a 79-yard touchdown scored by Michigan receiver Nico Collins. Buckeye running back Demario McCall dropped the ball like a frozen turkey on a kickoff return. It was quickly recovered by Michigan wide receiver Nate Schoenle. Michigan capitalized on McCall’s mistake to score another touchdown within six seconds. Though Michigan failed at a 2-point conversion they had raised the score 21-19. The Wolverines were suddenly back in the game and Ohio was clearly frustrated. Buckeye kicker Blake Haubeil brought the Buckeyes a little breathing room with a 19-yard field goal. But the score was close: 24-19.
The third quarter began with a second 19-yard field goal kicked by Haubeil. The score was 27-19. And then things started going horribly wrong for the Wolverines. Olave blocked a Michigan punt and Buckeye cornerback scored a 33-yard touchdown. Cornerback Mike Weber followed up with a 2-yard touchdown. The score? 41-19 at the end of the third quarter, Ohio leading. Any hopes of a Wolverine recovery were fading fast.
Michigan went on to score three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The only problem? Ohio scored three touchdowns too—one of them a 78-yd pass from Dwayne Haskins to wide receiver Parris Campbell. By now it was raining hard on the Wolverines. Haskins was able to pass the ball when, where, and to whom he wanted. Haskins’ 40th touchdown also passes the 1998 record set by NFL player Drew Brees. The Buckeye quarterback is a nominee for the Heisman trophy for best college football player of the year.
And as for Michigan? With the score ending at 62-39, they had set a different record: the most points ever scored by the Buckeyes against the Wolverines.
On Michigan fan forums the mood ranged from angry to somber to reflective.
“Let us not speak of this ever again,” a Wolverine fan posted.