Michigan lost to Ohio State for the 6th consecutive season, losing 21-10. The loss completes Michigan’s Big Ten meltdown. Way back on September 26th the Wolverines beat Indiana in their Big Ten opener. Michigan went on to lose 7 straight conference games en route to a last place finish and a 5-7 record.
On Michigan’s third offensive snap Tate Forcier fumbled the ball in the end zone. The fumble was recovered by Ohio State’s Cameron Heyward for a touchdown and just like that it was 7-0 Buckeyes.
Michigan’s offense was moving the ball in the first quarter but had nothing to show for it except a Jason Olesnavage missed field goal. Early in the second quarter Olesnavage did get Michigan on the board when he eked a 46 yard field goal just inside the left upright. With that field goal the lead was sliced to 7-3. Ohio State wasted little time in answering as they went on a 6 play 80 yard TD drive to take a 14-3 lead.
The score at halftime was 14-3. Despite the lopsided score, Michigan was playing well. The defense really stepped up and the offense was moving the ball on Ohio State.
Jonas Mouton breathed life into Michigan’s chances when he intercepted a tipped pass on the Buckeyes first possession of the second half. Tate Forcier responded by leading Michigan on an 8 play drive that was capped with an 18 yard TD pass to Vincent Smith. The touchdown cut the Ohio State lead to 14-10.
Brandon Graham
Again, the Buckeyes answered with a long TD drive that almost stalled out inside the 10 yard line, when Brandon Graham came up with back-to-back TFLs. However, on third down and goal from the 12 yard line Ohio State broke Michigan’s back with a screen pass to Dan Herron for a touchdown and 21-10 lead.
Michigan’s first three drives of the 4th quarter ended with Tate Forcier interceptions. The most devastating pick came on a second down and 5 from the Ohio State 6 yard line. Forcier was doing what he does best, improvising. He tried to hook up with Junior Hemingway in the end zone; instead the pass was intercepted by Devon Torrence.
The turnovers were Michigan’s undoing. It was bad enough they staked Ohio State to an early 7-0 lead with that gift wrapped TD but 5 total turnovers are hard to overcome. Michigan was able to hang in the game behind a spirited defensive performance led by Brandon Graham and Mike Martin. The problem was that every time the Wolverines started moving the ball in the second half they would end up turning the ball over. Rich Rodriguez said, “We made a lot of plays today that had Michigan beating Michigan. You got to give them credit. They made the plays, but it’s unfortunate because our guys gave great effort. We had a lot of opportunities; we just didn’t get it done.” That my friends is the story of Michigan’s season.
Brandon Graham was in All-American form all game as he tallied 6 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 1 sack. He played his heart out and secured himself a spot in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Roy Roundtree was outstanding again as he hauled in 9 receptions for 116 yards. Jonas Mouton also played well recording a career high 11 tackles and securing his second interception of the season.
Notes:
- Michigan now has back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since 1962-63.
- Sophomore receiver Daryl Stonum recorded 63 yards on three kick returns to surpass 1,000 on the season. Stonum owns the Michigan single-season records for kick returns (39) and kick-return yardage (1,001). He is the only player in U-M program history to surpass 1,000 in one year.
