JJ McCarthy, Donovan Edwards react to Michigan's second straight victory over Ohio State

Last season, Cade McNamara led Michigan to its first victory over Ohio State in 10 years while J.J. McCarthy threw one pass and ran the ball twice. One year later, it was McCarthy’s turn to help the Wolverines to a win over the Buckeyes — and he didn’t hide how much it meant.

“It was just trying to get back to myself, back to when I was five years old, dreaming about playing on this field,” McCarthy said. “Everything about it was magical.”

McCarthy had a monster day for the Wolverines, throwing for 263 yards and three touchdowns in the air while adding 27 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground to lead the way to a 45-23 victory. It wasn’t a perfect day — Michigan’s offense got off to a rocky start when star running back Blake Corum left the game — and McCarthy acknowledged that.

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However, the Wolverines finished strong and got the win. The scoreboard says it all.

“Obviously there’s some things I want back, but walking out of here with a ‘W,'” McCarthy said. “That’s all that matters, no matter how we got it done.”

For a team known for its ability to run, led by the one-two punch of Corum and Donovan Edwards, Ohio State did its best to stop the rush early on. That allowed McCarthy to make some big plays with his arm, and it worked out.

“They were trying to stop our identity,” McCarthy said. “We’re a smash-fest football team and they were trying to stop the run, so they let the passes get open deep.”

Donovan Edwards on beating Ohio State: ‘We prepared for this game all season’

Edwards also had a monster day, rushing for 216 yards and two touchdowns — a 75-yarder and an 85-yarder to seal the game. He stepped up in a big way in Corum’s absence, and it was the perfect way to cap off a regular season in which Michigan had one thing on its mind.

The Wolverines’ top goal was to beat Ohio State.

“It’s big,” Edwards said. “Big-time rivalry game, we knew what we had to do this game. We prepared for this game all season and in the offseason. So to get the victory, it’s a blessing from the Lord.”

With the win, Michigan also locked up a spot in the Big Ten Championship for the second straight season and, more than likely, another College Football Playoff appearance. The Big Ten Championship is coming up Dec. 3 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.