Report Card: Grading Michigan in a 13-10 win at Ohio State
Michigan stunned Ohio State, 13-10, on a cold and blustery day in Columbus, proving once again to be the tougher team in the rivalry game. The Wolverines got just enough offense and played elite defense four their fourth straight win in the series.
We grade the Wolverines in all phases here:
RELATED: Michigan 13, OSU 10: Notes, quotes, and observations — toughness wins again and the narrative shifts
Michigan rushing offense: B
Yes, there were a lot of very short gainers, but the Wolverines continued to ride Kalel Mullings and wear the Ohio State defense down. He had seven rushes of four yards or more in the fourth quarter, including the 27-yarder that proved to be one of the game’s biggest plays.
Junior quarterback Alex Orji, too, provided a huge boost with a 29-yard run in the first quarter on third down. The Wolverines ran for 172 yards and averaged 4.1 per carry.
Passing offense: D
Veteran Davis Warren threw two bad interceptions that cost the Wolverines 7 points, and it could easily have been more. Michigan managed only 62 passing yards and Warren was only 9-for-16. We could make the case this should be lower, but … we’re in a good mood.
The wind made it tough on both quarterbacks for two quarters each, but Warren had some key throws on third downs to keep drives alive. He is who he is, and while he’ll take the criticism, he’s 1-0 against Ohio State and played a part in a win at OSU. He also didn’t take any sacks. Marlin Klein came up with a few big third down catches, and Peyton O’Leary’s 18-yard, third-down grab was one of the plays of the game.
Michigan rushing defense: A+
Michigan junior defensive tackle Mason Graham was a one-man wrecking crew against the OSU run game, and the rest of the team followed his lead. He notched 5 solo tackles, 7 total, and almost all were extremely short gains.
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Linebacker Ernest Hausmann had one of his best games with 8 tackles, 1.5 for loss. OSU averaged only 3 yards per carry, and other than three runs of 17, 15, and 10 yards by Quinshon Judkins and three 5-yarders from TreVeyon Henderson, every other run was three yards or less … a lot of them much less.
Passing defense: A
Ohio State managed only three big plays in the passing game, 18, 18, and 24 yards, and the only touchdown pass came on an obvious offensive P.I. not called. There were two other questionable at best pass interference penalties, too, and while the Buckeyes threw for 175 yards, the Wolverines also intercepted two passes. Aamir Hall and Makari Paige picks were two of the biggest plays of the game.
Give Wink Martindale credit — he had an outstanding plan, and his shorthanded group executed it beautifully.
Michigan special teams: A
Kicker Dominic Zvada remains an absolute stud. His 53-yard field goal in the first half was absolutely huge — in addition to the key three points, think of OSU’s field position had he missed. He also hit the game winner from 21 yards. Tommy Doman had a few nice punts to change field position, and the field goal defense on Jayden Fielding was fantastic (tic).
