Game balls from Michigan's win over Ohio State
Michigan exorcised another demon in the form of a 45-23 road win at Ohio State on Saturday afternoon, its first victory in Columbus since the 2000 season. Now, it heads back to the Big Ten Championship game Dec. 3 in Indianapolis.
Anthony Broome, Clayton Sayfie and Chris Balas select a player each week for Michigan after the game concludes. Here are the players that get the biggest nod from our staff following a Week 13 victory at Ohio State.
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Anthony Broome: Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy
At some point when things went off schedule this year, Michigan was going to need its quarterback to win a football game. With junior running back Blake Corum a non-factor after a knee injury, OSU knew it would need to step up and take the run away, forcing sophomore signal-caller J.J. McCarthy to win it for the Wolverines. He did, and he will now go down as a legend for the Wolverines in helping them kill a two-decade curse. He was 12-of-24 on the day for 263 yards and 3 touchdown passes. Two of them went to senior wideout Cornelius Johnson (69 yards, 75 yards) in the second quarter. He hit freshman tight end Colston Loveland on a 45-yard strike for his third score.
This was a star-making turn for McCarthy, showing the grit and moxie that have been so prevalent while also chewing down on some of that meat left on the bone all season through the air. Incredible performance.
Clayton Sayfie: Sophomore running back Donovan Edwards
Michigan’s run game was a non-factor for most of the game until it was winning time. As has been the case all year, the offensive line got cooking and so did the backs down the stretch with sophomore Donovan Edwards finishing the day with 22 rushes for 216 yards and 2 touchdowns. His scores sealed the game from 75 and 85 yards out, respectively, in the fourth quarter.
Edwards came into the game with a thumb injury and had a hefty cast on his hand, leading to some questions about his effectiveness. The Wolverines stuck with him and he made the two offensive plays that helped secure a blowout victory late.
Chris Balas: Senior defensive back Mike Sainristil
Senior defensive back and captain Mike Sainristil was a wide receiver in The Game last year and made a few plays to help a victory there. His performance as a defender on Saturday will go down as one of the all-time showings in this rivalry. Sainristil finished the day with 7 total tackles and 2 passes defended in the victory, one of which kept OSU from scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter down 31-20. OSU settled for a field goal and it would be the final points the Buckeyes scored on the afternoon.
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Sainristil had one of his best tackling days in a Michigan uniform on Saturday and made all the plays when they presented themselves. It was a phenomenal showing and a crowning moment for a player who has always worked so hard to do whatever was asked of him. Now, he is a Michigan legend.
Michigan football honorable mentions
Senior wide receiver Cornelius Johnson: It was tough to not slot him above, but he is every bit as deserving. Johnson has taken a lot of shots for inconsistent play this year, and rightfully so. But he showed up in the biggest game of his life, finishing with 4 catches for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Freshman tight end Colston Loveland: Loveland is a true freshman who has played beyond his years throughout the season and now can add “Buckeye Killer” to his resume. His 45-yard touchdown from McCarthy in the third quarter put Michigan up 24-20, and U-M never looked back.
Sophomore defensive back Rod Moore: The Ohio native was once again all over the field in The Game. He had 5 total tackles (1 for loss) and 2 passes defended.
