Defensive notebook: Buckeyes fourth-quarter problems show up again in The Game

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State defense is not going to face the same heat the offense will face in the aftermath of the ugly, unacceptable and inexplicable 13-10 loss to Michigan inside the Horseshoe on Saturday.

This post is not designed to blame the defense for the loss — because the offensive coaching staff and game plan are the primary suspect in that regard. Jim Knowles’ unit allowed just 62 passing yards, forced two turnovers and repeatedly gave the Buckeyes offense a chance to go win the game — which the offense just did not do. This is designed to show that Ohio State has a real issue with the fourth quarter in this rivalry, and the themes pop up every year.

So let’s break down what made this loss so painful for the defense, then get into how it relates to the previous three losses.

This loss was not on the defense, but…

Ohio State defended 22 plays in the fourth quarter against Michigan. The Wolverines had 101 total yards in the final quarter, including 77 rushing yards on 19 attempts.

Michigan faced five third downs in the fourth quarter, and converted on four of them, the worst of which was a third-and-6 play that the Buckeyes bottled up in the backfield — but Kalel Mullings escaped the would-be tacklers for a 27-yard gain that set up the winning field goal.

The Wolverines held the ball for 13 minutes and 3 seconds in the fourth quarter, a remarkable stat that allowed them to dictate every possible term in the final quarter of the game.

How was this different from the previous three Ohio State losses to Michigan?

This was different because Ohio State did nearly everything it could from a defensive standpoint to keep the Buckeyes in the game. Early in the game, Will Howard threw a terrible interception that set Michigan up at the 2-yard line. That was the only UM touchdown drive. Michigan’s other first-half scoring drive was a four-play, 3-yard drive that resulted in a field goal. That’s the defense doing its job — which wasn’t happening as much in the previous three losses to Michigan.

Oh, add in the Buckeyes’ two second-half forced turnovers of Michigan. One of them came late in the third quarter, when a Caleb Downs interception gave Ohio State the ball at the Michigan 15. Ohio State did not score on the offensive end after it. The other turnover was a Jack Sawyer miracle interception in the end zone with seven minutes to play — which looked like it saved the game for the Buckeyes. The offense did nothing with that ensuing possession.

This was different because Ohio State made huge defensive plays late in the game to keep the Buckeyes in the game. It wasn’t rewarded — but it also did things that proved costly, like in other losses to Michigan.

How was this like the others?

Michigan has not punted in the fourth quarter against Ohio State since 2019. That stat is insane enough, but it gets worse.

The Buckeyes have given up 21 first downs to the Wolverines in the fourth quarter of the last four meetings. They’v registered four third-down stops, and three ended with field-goal makes on fourth down attempts.

Ohio State has allowed four touchdowns and three field goals, including the game-winner on Saturday afternoon.

This is the fourth straight game in this series that the Wolverines have been able to run the football well in the fourth quarter.

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To be clear, this particular loss was not on the Ohio State defense. The Buckeyes made enough plays on that side of the ball to win the game, but the offense let the program down Saturday.

That doesn’t exonerate the defense from criticism, though, because some of the same issues that plagued this defense during the three-game losing streak showed up when it was extended to four.