COLUMBUS, Ohio — They say The Game is war. And the brawl on the field of Ohio Stadium after the clock hit zero demonstrated just how painful this 13-10 loss to Michigan was for Ohio State. Watching its rival parade its flag over the Block-O was the end result of a poorly executed 60 minutes of football for Ohio State.
The Ohio State run game and special teams execution made the difference in Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to Michigan on Saturday — the fourth year in a row the Buckeyes fell short to the Wolverines.
“We’ve got a locker room full of guys who are just devastated,” head coach Ryan Day said after the loss. “I thought they played with great emotion, I thought the defense played their tails off, and I thought they played hard. But the overall execution wasn’t good enough, especially on offense… on offense.”
Since 1996, the statistics show that the team that runs the ball better, wins the game. Michigan out-rushed Ohio State 172-77. Ohio State failed to get the run game established. Despite sticking with it through the game and repeatedly forcing runs up the middle, it never worked.
The Scarlet and Gray knew they needed to be able to run the ball, but it simply wasn’t clicking. Ohio State’s one successful drive that resulted in a touchdown was a tempo, no huddle, all passing drive with just one rushing play. Quarterback Will Howard led the Buckeyes 75 yards in nine plays, in 1:45. After the touchdown that tied the game at 10, Ohio State’s offense couldn’t find life and it resorted again to the run.
The Buckeye defense gave the offense opportunities, but they couldn’t capitalize. There were a number of times the defense got the stops they needed, and made the plays they needed. But it never resulted in points from the offense. Even when an interception by Jack Sawyer at the OSU 3-yard line gave Ohio State the ball with eight minutes to play, the Buckeyes had a quick three-and-out. After Michigan’s 54-yard field goal kick to take the 13-10 lead, Ohio State had 0:45 to drive down the field, but gained just one yard before turning the ball over on downs with time left on the clock for Michigan.
Howard, who has had six games with over an 80 percent completion percentage this season, was 19-of-33 and threw two costly interceptions. One interception in the red zone resulted in a quick seven points for the Wolverines just two plays later.
Special teams and field position played a big role in the game. In the second quarter, Michigan punted for 68 yards to pin OSU at the 7-yard line and Ohio State couldn’t move the ball. Ohio State then punted for 31 yards and gave Michigan the ball at the OSU39. Michigan kicked a 54-yard field goal to take the 10-3 lead.
Six points were also left on the field as Buckeye kicker Jayden Fielding missed two field goal attempts, one from 34 yards out and another from 38 yards out.
“We struggled to run the ball in this game,” Day said. “We know, we’ve talked about this many times, we have to run the ball, especially in this game. It was a little windy out and in order to win the game you have to be able to run it and we weren’t able to do that. We tried a couple different schemes and couldn’t quite get into a rhythm on that. That ultimately — along with the turnovers and missed field goals — was the difference in the game.”
Tough game!
You DON’T have to be able to RUN the ball to beat someone. You need to do WHATEVER it takes to put more POINTS on the board, which you can do passing the ball. POINTS win games not rushing yards.
This one is on Day. When something doesn’t work, you do something else. You certainly don’t run on third and ten. Howard seemed really off his game as time went on, staring down receivers and missing throws he usually makes. Maybe he was more affected by the early hit than we know. Saban won a championship switching to the back up QB. And now Jeremiah Smith has called the staff inept. If he hits the portal 2025 will be a long year.
This loss is totally on Ryan Day, although Chip Kelly bares some responsibility as welll. What was this supposed “offensive genius” thinking as his play calls resulted in 3& out after 3 and out. There is no place for Ryan Day to hide following this embarrassing debacle; and in front of a huge supportive crowd. I fully expect them to be smoked in their first playoff game after which Ryan Day heeds to be packing. The game was an abomination.. I call it the low point in OSU football history. Reminded me of the 1996 game. Cooper’s play not to lose mentality on full display. This loss comes against a team which already had lost five games, and without a credible passing attack. Despite every advantage, the Buckeyes choked. . I was supportive of Day until Saturday. Afterwards, I had seen enough!! Day needs to begin cleaning out his desk and office and disappear . I don;t want to see or hear from him ever again…
This loss is totally on Ryan Day, although Chip Kelly bares some responsibility as welll. What was this supposed “offensive genius” thinking as his play calls resulted in 3& out after 3 and out. There is no place for Ryan Day to hide following this embarrassing debacle; and in front of a huge supportive crowd. I fully expect them to be smoked in their first playoff game after which Ryan Day heeds to be packing. The game was an abomination.. I call it the low point in OSU football history. Reminded me of the 1996 game. Cooper’s play not to lose mentality on full display. This loss comes against a team which already had lost five games, and without a credible passing attack. Despite every advantage, the Buckeyes choked. . I was supportive of Day until Saturday. Afterwards, I had seen enough!! Day needs to begin cleaning out his desk and office and disappear . I don;t want to see or hear from him ever again…
“We know, we’ve talked about this many times, we have to run the ball, especially in this game”.
Why?! The strength of their team was the defensive line, especially the two d tackles. Why keep beating our head against a wall. A couple max protect deep shots would have been a welcome addition too. Play to our other strengths when something isn’t working. We got beat by a very poor to average Michigan team. Day always wants to run the ball since the defense coordinator at Michigan said we were a finesse team, but not a tough one. He has lost his creativity since then. “We” kept Michigan in that game.
If you’re going to recruit the finesse type players day does, you better be prepared to reap the results in this game. But why not lean on them like they did the last drive of the first half. Playing like that and doing it up tempo, would have left michigans defence gassed.
Stink. Stank. Stunk.
From #2 in the country to 4th place in the Big Ten just like that. Embarrassingly inept. It’s the coaching, not the $20M worth of players. Apparently Day cannot win the big games. Losing four in a row to UM is inexcusable.