Ohio State 42, Michigan 28 Comment Count

Ace



Eric Upchurch/MGoBlog

For the second straight year, a plucky Michigan squad that had no business hanging with a powerful Ohio State outfit did just that.

Unlike last year, however, the Wolverines couldn't stay in it until the bitter end. Despite the best efforts of Devin Gardner, Devin Funchess, Drake Johnson, and the defense, Ohio State pulled away late. The backbreaker came on a fourth-and-one touchdown run from midfield by Buckeye running back Ezekiel Elliott, who burst through the left side of the line and sprinted 44 yards untouched to the end zone, giving OSU a 35-21 lead. Any hopes beyond that were dashed when Joey Bosa stripped Gardner and Darron Lee returned the fumble 33 yards for the final Buckeye score.

The Wolverines played much better than expected, especially considering the disastrous start to this game, an ugly Gardner pick that led to a swift six-play touchdown drive for the home team. Michigan struck back; a long completion from Gardner to Funchess beget a touchdown pass to Jake Butt when the Buckeyes blew a coverage.

Michigan took the lead on a Drake Johnson scoring plunge, but OSU returned the favor mere seconds before the half on a JT Barrett scramble; the rivals headed into the half knotted at 14, to the surprise of all but the most paranoid (and, for the second straight year, prescient) Buckeye backers.

The teams traded rushing touchdowns early in the second half before the game's most lasting and terrible moment occurred. Barrett was folded back by a couple M defenders and suffered what appeared to be a severe ankle injury; he exited on a cart after receiving words and gestures of support from both sides, including a touching moment between him and Gardner.

Cardale Jones replaced Barrett, and while he wasn't as effective, he didn't have to be after Elliott's scoring dash. Michigan added a final, highlight-worthy score on a pass from Gardner to a toe-tapping Freddy Canteen, but it was too little, too late.

That sums up today for Brady Hoke, as well. Even if Michigan had managed to pull this out, it's hard to imagine he would've been retained for making a late-December bowl game; with the loss, his fate appears sealed. His final season goes into the record books at 5-7, with M going 3-5 in the Big Ten for the second straight year.

Fire up FlightTracker. The Harbaugh vigil now begins in earnest.

Comments

Sam1863

November 29th, 2014 at 4:54 PM ^

Before the kickoff I told my girlfriend, "I hope they at least make a game of it." I felt that was a realistic hope.

Well, they did. They made a game of it; they fought; they hung in there - whatever cliche fits. And Devin, despite his typical ball protection issues and a classic WTF interception, had a pretty good day. True, it wasn't the heroic, drving-down-the-field-on-a-broken-foot performance of last year. But three TD passes, including one on his final play in a Michigan uniform ... well, that's a finale that lets him hold his head up.

Actually, the whole team can do that. Yeah, it was a loss - but it wasn't an embarassment. It'll be the last game for many, including Hoke, but at least they made a game of it. And after this bitterly disappointing season, I guess that's the best we could have expected.

Go Blue.

gwkrlghl

November 30th, 2014 at 12:30 AM ^

Whats wrong with what he said? Richrod was crushed by Ohio State every single year. His offense scored 7, 10, and 7 points against OSU in his 3 years

One thing you have to give to Hoke is his teams played OSU incredibly well. We were huge dogs each of the last 3 years and had a decent shot at winning each of those games. Even this hideous offense scored 28 on OSU - more than Richrod scored in all 3 years here. Richrod was a total failure vs OSU

west2

November 29th, 2014 at 4:56 PM ^

with the statement that Michigan had no business hanging with osu.  There is talent on Michigan's roster albeit not developed to a system.  When Barrett went down M had a chance to win but the injury to Johnson and conservative play calling stalled the offense and sealed the game.  Somehow it seems a fitting conclusion to the hoke era-wondering what could have been with better coaching decisions.   Also, I wonder what Meyer said to hoke on their final handshake, maybe-it's been nice knowing ya buddy!   

M Go Cue

November 29th, 2014 at 4:57 PM ^

Gardner is a perfect example of a student athlete and a wonderful representative for the University of  Michigan.  He is and will continue to be a winner in life.  

That being said, his play at QB was dreadful.  Bad delivery, soft throws, inability to correctly read defenses, and constant turnovers have made this season one to forget.  There is plenty of blame to spread around but a whole lot of it lands at the QB position.  I hope and pray our next coach can develop Morris and Speight et al.

blueball97

November 29th, 2014 at 5:13 PM ^

Ehile Gardner's play isn't great he has been in three offenses, at two positions, with three different coaches and a terrible offensive line. He made mistakes, but the overall problem is Hoke. He preached fundamentals and toughness, doing things the Michigan way. Trying reincarnate a legend rather than using forward thinking and modifying to keep up with the ever changing college football world. This will become more obvious when/if they hire someone with attention to detail and a toughness to get after players. Brady was a great guy who worked hard, like his team, but hard work with no direction or discipline is futile. This was transcended onto the field every week for the final three years, and dumb luck prevented it from all 4. Time to come home Jim, time to come home




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columnatedruins

November 29th, 2014 at 9:32 PM ^

Yep, I see it all around... underperformers hanging on, waiting for someone else to tell them its Game Over and when they're finally cut loose, we pat them on the back sympathetically as they carry their box of pictures and mugs out the door and say dumb shit like "good guy, mediocre performer though"

If you care about the organization, recognize that you are in over your head and your presence is only making things worse.  "Until he quits and apologizes, fuck Brady Hoke."

yep

AaronStark19

November 29th, 2014 at 4:58 PM ^

Refs Were bad, coaching was bad everything is bad. Where's Denard? Where's Kovacs? where did team 132 go? How the hell did they win a BCS
Bowl with our clap happy sorry excuse of a coach.

An Angelo's Addict

November 29th, 2014 at 5:03 PM ^

And this season comes to a sad and merciful end. Mattison deserves as much blame as anyone else and I hope everyone sees now what this defense has regressed to. We are a "top" defense against shitty teams and always fold against good teams.

Mr. Yost

November 29th, 2014 at 5:25 PM ^

I'm sick.

I'm so tired of losing to the fucking Buckeyes. I miss the Cooper Era.

We've got to go get an AD now and we've got to get a coach soon after. This is silly.

There is no reason why we can't be an elite program.

We're Vanderbilt. We're Northwestern. We're pathetic.

At least we have basketball...

MotleyBlue

November 29th, 2014 at 5:37 PM ^

Finally an end to this madness. I'll miss watching Michigan football. But I won't miss watching this team. I'm looking forward to trying to forget what could have been in '13 and '14. At least with a new staff, the start of '15 may at least give us fans a feeling of righting the ship, though it may be ugly as well. I won't speculate on the next coach, but lets hope we can get someone who will foster a sense of urgency, a hatred of losing, and focus on the little things that make the difference between contenders and everyone else.

On Hoke... Of course we all know what's coming. But man, the depths to which this program has sunk on the field is just amazing. The last two years have been an absolute disaster.

RJWolvie

November 29th, 2014 at 5:44 PM ^

a coach who can win here!



Next coach will have full war chest, except...

...no QB. We could have 21 returning 4 & 5 stars now RS seniors, and it may not be enough if we still have no QB.



Sigh. Turning into the Lions on losing & even losing at losing (hit 0-16 in year no one worth drafting #1!)