Michigan thumps Ohio State for 2nd straight rivalry win

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy wasn’t probably the most embellished quarterback on the sector getting into Saturday’s conflict with Ohio State, and never even the most important star on his personal group.

He left Ohio Stadium as a Michigan legend, together with operating again Donovan Edwards. McCarthy threw three lengthy landing passes and added a scoring run early within the fourth quarter, and Edwards broke off two lengthy landing runs, as No. 3 Michigan beat No. 2 Ohio State 45-23, its second straight upset within the rivalry. Enjoying virtually your complete sport with out star operating again Blake Corum, Michigan had 5 touchdowns of 45 yards or longer and 4 of 69 yards or longer to stun the Buckeyes.

The Wolverines gained at Ohio Stadium for the primary time since 2000, which additionally represented their final profitable streak within the rivalry (two video games). Ohio State had gained 29 consecutive Huge Ten residence video games earlier than Saturday, stretching again to the 2015 season. The matchup marked simply the fourth time since 1935 that each Michigan and Ohio State entered their matchup with none losses or ties. Ohio State got here in 6-0 at residence in opposition to Michigan when each groups held AP top-5 rankings.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who misplaced his first 5 video games to Ohio State, has now gained consecutive contests. Ohio State coach Ryan Day fell to 1-2 in opposition to the Wolverines.

Down 20-17 at halftime, Michigan held Ohio State to 17 yards within the third quarter to take management. After the Buckeyes minimize their deficit to eight factors halfway via the fourth quarter, Michigan struck proper again with a 75-yard Edwards landing run. Edwards tacked on an 85-yard landing run as Ohio State followers headed for the exits.

Michigan superior to the Huge Ten championship subsequent week in Indianapolis, the place it’s going to face Purdue, Illinois or Iowa. The Wolverines can win consecutive outright Huge Ten titles for the primary time since 1992.

Purdue can clinch the Huge Ten’s West Division with a win over rival Indiana later Saturday. If Purdue loses, Illinois can clinch the division by beating Northwestern. If each Purdue and Illinois lose, Iowa will advance for the second straight season.

Ohio State should wait till subsequent week to study whether or not it qualifies for the School Soccer Playoff as an at-large choice, which it final did in 2016. The Buckeyes’ protection, which had proven important enchancment this season underneath coordinator Jim Knowles, merely had no reply for McCarthy and an aggressive Wolverines offense.

McCarthy accomplished solely three of his first 9 cross makes an attempt however then started discovering gaps in an Ohio State protection that had allowed solely two passing touchdowns of 45 yards or longer all season earlier than Saturday. Halfway via the second quarter, he discovered Cornelius Johnson, who beat cornerback Cameron Brown and raced for a 69-yard landing.

The sophomore then discovered Johnson for a 75-yard landing and helped Michigan regain the lead within the third quarter with a 45-yard scoring cross to freshman tight finish Colston Loveland. McCarthy had operated a principally conservative passing plan in his first season because the starter, and Michigan got here in with just one passing landing of fifty yards or longer. He got here in averaging solely 177.5 passing yards per sport, which ranked eleventh within the Huge Ten in passing and nicely behind Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud (271.9 ypg), who remained a prime candidate for the Heisman Trophy.

Stroud handed for 349 yards and two touchdowns however struggled to assault downfield, apart from a 42-yard landing to prime receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. late within the first half. He threw two interceptions within the last 5 minutes.

McCarthy grew to become the primary participant with three passing touchdowns and a dashing landing in opposition to Ohio State since Clemson’s Tajh Boyd within the 2014 Orange Bowl.

Each groups performed shorthanded at operating again. Corum, who sustained a left knee harm in final week’s win over Illinois, left the sport after two carries on Michigan’s first possession and didn’t return. Michigan had solely 10 dashing yards within the first half.

Ohio State starter TreVeyon Henderson sat out with a decrease leg harm, whereas Miyan Williams returned from harm however was not overly efficient. The Buckeyes leaned on Chip Trayanum, a linebacker who performed operating again at Arizona State however had just one carry for Ohio State earlier than Saturday. Trayanum completed with 83 yards on 14 carries.