For the third year in a row, Michigan football defeats Ohio State, and all the indicators lead to Indianapolis.
Wolverines will play Iowa for Big Ten Championship, Saturday at 8 p.m.
But, despite winning without half of their coaching staff, the legacy of the previous two seasons was vindicated by defensive back Rod Moore, who intercepted the game-winning pass in Michigan territory with 25 seconds left to help his team remain undefeated at 12-0.
“Before the play, I told myself that somebody has to be the first to call game, and I saw the route, and I called game,” Moore told reporters. “I believe we’re better than last year’s team on all levels.” We basically eat wherever.”
The Wolverines’ defense limited Ohio State to 378 total yards, 271 of which came through the air and 107 on the ground, while also forcing two interceptions.”Rod (Moore) is my twin, and I absolutely love that guy, but it’s going to be our defense that helps us win games,” McCarthy said. “They have the best defense in the country, but I just love my guys.” That’s the thing with this group. We love each other, we battle for each other, and we’re a great group.”
Offense
McCarthy, a third-year quarterback, completed 16-20 for 140 yards and one touchdown, a dart between two defenders that fell in Roman Wilson’s hands for six yards.
“This win felt amazing, physically, mentally, and spiritually, and I’m just so happy to get it done with the boys,” said McCarthy. “There is nothing greater. Ohio State has a strong collection of guys. They’re a fantastic squad, and they gave everything they had.”
“This moment means everything to me,” Corum explained. “The guys, we all came back for each other, we did it today, and this is what we came back for.” Games like this, being in The Big House with your backs against the wall. When people say you can’t do it, they call you all kinds of names, but we stand strong, we stand together as one, and we triumph.”
“It’s Michigan vs. Everyone, and if you’re not with us, you’re against us, but the job isn’t done.” We have a lot of work to do before next week.”
Sheroore, who is 4-0 as interim head coach, saw the significance of the situation and continued to go for it on fourth down while also displaying amazing inventiveness in The Game, which was full of ebbs and flows. But he stayed even-kill. Coach Ryan Day’s Buckeyes played conservatively all day.
Then, in the final stretch, Harbaugh was punished again, this time by the Big Ten Conference for sign-stealing claims. Harbaugh was suspended less than 24 hours before Michigan’s first road test of the season, when they traveled to Happy Valley to defeat Penn State, but they made no excuses for the situation.
More news broke that the Wolverines had to fire linebackers coach Chris Partridge for allegedly covering up evidence during the investigation prior to their trip to College Park, where they defeated the Maryland Terrapins to become the first football program to win 1,000 games. Michigan was missing their linebacker coach as well as Harbaugh, who had to miss the achievement of attaining the milestone. Nonetheless, no excuses were offered.
Harbaugh was forced to skip Ohio State’s regular-season finale, despite the fact that there is no proof linking him to any rule-breaking. He simply delegated authority to the appropriate coaches. Although he installed the game plan during the week, he let them coach anyway they saw fit, and Sherrone communicated his thankfulness through his emotions.”Michigan University, we love you, the fans, the players, this is all about the players,” stated Sherrone, the head coach. “We’ve got your back, Coach (Jim) Harbaugh.” We adore you, and this song is dedicated to you.”
“It’s all the players because they just played their hearts out.” Look at this (crowd rushing the field); this is what it’s all about. I’m just grateful to be here. Coach, I can’t wait to see you again. This is very exciting.”For the first time in program history, the team started 12-0. They also defeated Ohio State for the third time in a row for the first time since 1995-1997.
In 1995, the legendary Lloyd Carr came in as interim head coach after Gary Moeller resigned. Carr, like Sherrone, went on to defeat an undefeated Ohio State on Nov. 25. If this were a movie, there would be no finer finale than for the Big Ten Commissioner to award Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines their third consecutive conference title when they face the Iowa Hawkeyes inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday (Dec. 2).