The Wolverine Now

BY JOHN BORTON F ew would have predicted a figurative fourth-quarter fistfight between a 5-7 team and an 11-1 squad still harboring NCAA playoff hopes. Then again, this is Michigan-Ohio State. There were the Wolverines, their season dis- mantled, their coach under fire and their pride severely dented, carrying a 21-all tie midway into the third quarter. The magic didn't last. The Buckeyes ran away and hid at the end, 42-28, despite losing their starting quarterback to a nasty ankle injury. But as last stands go, this wasn't Custer's. "Just like last year," mused redshirt junior cen- ter Jack Miller. "I don't know if anyone can put that into words. It always comes down to that, it seems like. Both teams bring their 'A' game. There was just a different energy about it, before the game and during. "It's the greatest rivalry in all of sports. We're fortunate, both us and Ohio State, that we get to play in a game like this that can be so fun. It always comes down to the wire, it seems." This time, it came down to big plays and big mistakes, like it has all too often for the Wolver- ines. They sent a scare into Urban Meyer's crew, but the Buckeyes sent back execution in key moments. In the end, Michigan lost a fumble and an interception, both turning into touchdowns in a 14-point game. Ohio State never coughed it up once. Michigan fifth-year senior Devin Gardner suffered those turnovers, and tried to offset them with an otherwise strong effort, going 22-of-32 through the air for 233 yards and two touch- downs. He connected with junior wideout Devin Funchess seven times for 108 yards. Buckeyes redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett went 13-of-21 for 176 yards and a TD pass, while rushing 15 times for 89 yards and two touch- downs before getting carted off early in the fourth quarter. His efforts, combined with run- 42 28 TOP FIVE PLAYERS OF THE GAME 1. Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett — Barrett rushed for two touchdowns, passed for another and accounted for a combined 265 yards through the skies and overland. He made all the plays, before a season-ending injury struck late. 2. Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott — Elliott went for 121 yards and two touch- downs on 17 carries. He also supplied the back-breaker, the 44-yard TD sprint on fourth-and- one in the fourth quarter. 3. Ohio State safety Vonn Bell — Bell tolled early for the Buckeyes, picking off a pass on the game's second play to set up an early OSU touchdown. He wound up with nine tackles and a pass breakup, in addition to the tone-setter. 4. Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee — Lee was all over the field, with nine tackles, a 10- yard sack, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and the exclamation point at the end. He scooped up a fumble and went 33 yards for a touchdown. 5. Fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Gardner — Gardner made a pair of crucial mis- takes, with an interception and fumble that OSU turned into two touchdowns. But he also gave Michigan a chance to win, with 233 yards and two touchdowns in the air, and 62 yards in gains on the ground, when he wasn't getting sacked for 41 lost yards. — John Borton

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