GAME THREAD: NCAAF: OHIO ST (10-1) at MICHIGAN (8-3)

NCAAF: OHIO ST at MICHIGAN

<div class="pre">NCAAF FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
OHIO ST (7) 0 7 7 0 14
MICHIGAN (23) 3 0 0 0 3 FINAL

SCORING SUMMARY

1ST QUARTER: MICHIGAN - FG, K.C. LOPATA 33 YD, 13:23.
MICHIGAN 3-0
2ND QUARTER: OHIO ST - TD, CHRIS WELLS 1 YD RUN (RYAN
PRETORIUS KICK), 4:52. OHIO ST
7-3
3RD QUARTER: OHIO ST - TD, CHRIS WELLS 62 YD RUN (RYAN
PRETORIUS KICK), 1:20. OHIO ST
14-3
4TH QUARTER: NONE</div>

 

NCAAF: OHIO ST at MICHIGAN

<div class="pre">NCAAF OHIO ST (7) 14
MICHIGAN (23) 3 0:45 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>

 

NCAAF: OHIO ST at MICHIGAN

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NCAAF
OHIO ST (7) 14
MICHIGAN (23) 3 FINAL</div>

 

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (Ticker) -- Chris "Beanie" Wells ran over,around and through Michigan, likely sending Ohio State to theRose Bowl while saddling Lloyd Carr with yet another loss to JimTressel.


Wells rushed for 222 yards and two touchdowns Saturday as No. 7Ohio State clinched its third straight Big Ten Conference titlewith a 14-3 victory over 21st-ranked Michigan.


The Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) have beaten the Wolverines(8-4, 6-2) four straight times in this storied rivalry. OhioState had not posted four consecutive wins over Michigan since1960-1963, when legendary coach Woody Hayes roamed the sidelinesin Columbus.


But the Buckeyes clearly have gained the upper hand underTressel, who improved to 6-1 against Michigan since taking thepost at Ohio State in 2001.


Tressel's success in this intense annual showdown stands instark contrast to the shortcomings of Carr, who fell to 6-7all-time against the Buckeyes.


The third-winningest coach in Michigan history, the 62-year-oldCarr has received harsh criticism in recent years, and it hasbeen widely speculated that he is set to retire.


Tressel, who guided the Buckeyes to a national title in 2002 andan appearance in the BCS championship game last season, likely hascoached Ohio State to its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1996.Ohio State still has an outside chance at playing in the BCStitle game.


The Buckeyes appeared in eight Rose Bowls under Hayes, whoguided Ohio State to four national titles from 1951-1978.

Renowned for his "three yards and a cloud of dust" approach onoffense, Hayes would have loved Ohio State's performance in thisone. The Buckeyes rushed for 230 yards while limiting theWolverines to just 91 yards of total offense.


The key figure in Ohio State's conservative attack was Wells,who recorded a career-high 39 carries. The 235-pound sophomoregave the Buckeyes the lead for good with 10:08 remaining in thefirst half, plowing into the end zone from a yard out to make it7-3.


Wells made it 14-3 on Ohio State's first play of the secondhalf, racing around the left edge for a 61-yard score.

 

NCAAF: OHIO ST at MICHIGAN

<div class="pre">NCAAF FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
OHIO ST (7) 0 7 7 0 14
MICHIGAN (23) 3 0 0 0 3 FINAL

MICHIGAN-FG, K Lopata 33 YD 13:23 1st Qtr
OHIO ST-TD, C Wells 1 YD RUN (R Pretorius KICK) 4:52 2nd
Qtr
OHIO ST-TD, C Wells 62 YD RUN (R Pretorius KICK) 1:20 3rd
Qtr


OHIO ST MICHIGAN
First downs 16 8
Rushed-yards 59-229 24-15
Passing yards 50 76
Sacked-yards lost 0-0 4-26
Return yards 50 65
Passes 7-13-1 12-37-0
Punts 11-37.4 12-45.9
Fumbles-lost 3-0 2-0
Penalties-yards 3-40 4-45
Time of possession 37:50 22:10


Individual Statistics

RUSHING: OHIO ST-Chris Wells 39-222, Brandon Saine 9-20, Maurice Wells
1-2, - Team 1-MINUS 2, Todd Boeckman 7-MINUS 6, Ray Small 2-MINUS 7.
MICHIGAN-Mike Hart 18-44, Mario Manningham 1-MINUS 1, - Team 1-MINUS
2, Ryan Mallett 1-MINUS 6, Chad Henne 3-MINUS 20.

PASSING: OHIO ST-Todd Boeckman 7-13-50- 1. MICHIGAN-Chad Henne
11-34-68- 0. Ryan Mallett 1-3-8- 0.

RECEIVING: OHIO ST-Trever Robinson 2-21, Brian Hartline 1-9, Jake
Ballard 2-8, Dane Sanzenbacher 1-7, Ray Small 1-5. MICHIGAN-Mario
Manningham 5-34, Carson Butler 4-24, Adrian Arrington 2-13, Greg
Mathews 1-5.


Att: 111,941</div>

 

ANN ARBOR, Michigan (Ticker) -- Chris "Beanie" Wells ran over,around and through Michigan, likely sending Ohio State to theRose Bowl while saddling Lloyd Carr with yet another loss to JimTressel.


Wells rushed for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdownsSaturday as No. 7 Ohio State clinched its third straight Big TenConference title with a 14-3 victory over 23rd-ranked Michigan.

The Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) have beaten the Wolverines(8-4, 6-2) four straight times in this storied rivalry. OhioState had not posted four consecutive wins over Michigan since1960-1963, when legendary coach Woody Hayes roamed the sidelinesin Columbus.


But the Buckeyes clearly have gained the upper hand underTressel, who has coached Ohio State to back-to-back outrightconference titles for the first time since 1954-55.

"I guess it must be difficult to win five (in a row)," saidTressel, who improved to 6-1 against Michigan since taking thepost at Ohio State in 2001. "I don't know if anyone has everdone that."


Tressel's success in this intense annual showdown stands instark contrast to the shortcomings of Carr, who fell to 6-7all-time against the Buckeyes.


"We had an opportunity to do something special for us - winningthis game and everything that goes with it," Carr said. "Whenyou fail to do that, the disappointment is very difficult."

The third-winningest coach in Michigan history, the 62-year-oldCarr has received harsh criticism in recent years, and it hasbeen widely speculated that he is set to retire.


But the embattled Carr refused to comment on the rumorsregarding his future.


"It really doesn't matter about me personally," he said. "It'sabout our team. It's disappointing, certainly.


"There will be a day to discuss that (retirement), and thisisn't it."


Tressel, who guided the Buckeyes to a national title in 2002 andan appearance in the BCS championship game last season, likelyhas coached Ohio State to its first Rose Bowl appearance since1996.


Ohio State still has an outside chance at playing in this year'sBCS title game.


"Coming up here and winning, it means a championship and a RoseBowl," Tressel said. "It was quite a day for us. I wish wewould have moved the chains a little bit more and scored more,but 14 points today means a championship."


The Buckeyes appeared in eight Rose Bowls under Hayes, whoguided Ohio State to four national titles from 1951-1978.

Renowned for his "three yards and a cloud of dust" approach onoffense, Hayes would have loved Ohio State's performance in thisone. The Buckeyes rushed for 230 yards while limiting theWolverines to just 91 yards of total offense.


"This is the kind of game the folks in the trenches willdecide," Tressel said. "Our offensive line did a great job andthe defensive line did a great job - and if you win in thetrenches, you'll win the game."


It was the first time Michigan failed to generate 100 yards ofoffense since a 97-yard performance against Purdue on October20, 1962. The three points marked Michigan's lowest scoringtotal in this series since Ohio State's 28-0 victory in 1962.

"When we watch the film, everything is going to be right there,"Wolverines star running back Mike Hart said. "We had too manymissed assignments, too many dropped balls, missed blocks, badcuts. We just didn't put it together as an offense today."

"This is the worst I've ever felt leaving the football field,other than games where friends of mine got hurt," Michigansafety Jamar Adams added. "We lost the championship in ourhouse."


The key figure in Ohio State's conservative attack was Wells,who recorded a career-high 39 carries.


"Nothing we do in life will compare to this moment," thesophomore said.


The 235-pound Wells gave the Buckeyes the lead for good with10:08 remaining in the first half, plowing into the end zonefrom a yard out to make it 7-3.


Wells made it 14-3 on Ohio State's first play of the secondhalf, racing around the left edge for a 62-yard score.

"Beanie Wells is a difference maker," Tressel said. "He wantedto put the team on his back and carry them. He's the best backin the Big Ten in my eyes."


The Buckeyes' top-ranked defense took over from there, thwartingHart while constantly applying pressure on Wolverinesquarterback Chad Henne.


Defensive end Vernon Gholston recorded three sacks whilelinebacker Marcus Freeman had nine tackles to pace the Buckeyes,who improved to 57-41-6 all-time against the Wolverines.

"It's big, winning four in a row," Gholston said. "Not too manyteams have done it. You look at this series with itstradition, it means a lot."


Hart battled a sore ankle throughout the contest and finishedwith just 44 yards on 18 carries. Henne was wildly ineffectivedue largely in part to his injured throwing shoulder, completing11-of-34 passes for 68 yards.


"We have no excuses here," Carr said. "But I think it's fair toacknowledge that Chad, he was not throwing the football like hehas. Mike Hart was not at full speed, that's fundamental."

The senior trio of Hart, Henne and star left tackle Jake Long -all of whom could have foregone this season to play in the NFL -opted to return to Michigan in an effort to avenge lastseason's 42-39 loss to the Buckeyes.


But the day once again ended in disappointment for Michigan'sseniors, who ended their collegiate careers with an 0-4 recordagainst Ohio State.


"They beat us the last four years," senior lineman Adam Kraussaid. "That means they've been the better team. I think we canbounce back. We haven't won a bowl game since I've been here,either. I'm looking forward to going out with a bowl win."