Ohio State's defense, led by defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has been nothing short of spectacular in Year One and yesterday was no exception as the Buckeyes smothered Michigan, 27-9, in the Big House.
And while Silver Bullets were really good in the first half, holding Michigan to 124 total yards, one third down conversion and nine points - three of which came after a Julian Sayin interception gave the Wolverines possession at the OSU 39 - the dominance displayed in the second half was the kind of performance that will live forever in rivalry lore.
With The Game still a one-score affair at 17-9 five minutes into the third quarter after Ohio State was forced to punt on its opening possession, Michigan took the ball at its own 20. Bryce Underwood promptly delivered a 26-yard strike to Donaven McCulley but Patricia's group didn't flinch, stopping a pass for no gain and a run for no gain before an incompletion on 3rd-and-10 led to a punt.
Julian Sayin found Carnell Tate on OSU's ensuing possession for a 50-yard touchdown and a 24-9 lead, putting even more pressure on Underwood and the Wolverines. The OSU defense, despite a pass interference call on Davison Igbinosun, would again hold, giving up only 14 non-penalty yards on seven plays to force another punt.
Ohio State's offense again put points on the board, this time a field goal for a 27-9 lead after chewing up nearly 12 minutes of clock. Enter the OSU defense which quickly forced a 3-and-out headlined by an 8-yard sack from Kenyatta Jackson Jr. bookended by an incomplete pass and a 2-yard pass quickly extinguished by Caleb Downs. Three plays, -6 yards.
After an OSU punt, the defense trotted back out on the field and allowed a 5-yard completion sandwiched between two incompletions to set up 4th-and-5 at the UM 30. Underwood dropped back on the ensuring snap and fired toward McCulley but it deflected off him into Igbinosun's arms at the UM 38.
BRYCE UNDERWOOD IS PICKED OFF@OhioStateFB's defense does it again pic.twitter.com/z945FIE9ZO
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 29, 2025
The interception ensured the second half shutout as Ohio State outscored the Wolverines 10-0 over the final 30 minutes to turn a one possession game at halftime into a decisive victory.
The numbers behind Michigan's scoreless second half are eye-popping:
- 6:20 time of possession
- 39 total yards
- 3 first downs
- 2.2 yards per play
- 5 carries for -8 yards
- 5-of-13 passing for 47 yards and a pick
- 0-for-4 on third down conversions
- 0-for-1 on fourth down conversions
- 13 total yards on the final 17 plays
It was a truly dominant performance from all three levels led by Kayden McDonald and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. up front, Sonny Styles at the second level, and Caleb Downs on the back line.
