In a rivalry game for the ages, the unranked Michigan Wolverines stunned the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 13-10 on a last-minute field goal, sending shockwaves through the college football world. The epic upset likely ends Ohio State’s hopes of reaching the Big Ten title game and puts a serious dent in their College Football Playoff aspirations.
Zvada’s Kick Seals the Deal
With just 45 seconds left on the clock and the score knotted at 10-10, Michigan’s Dominic Zvada lined up for a 21-yard chip shot field goal. The kick sailed through the uprights, giving the Wolverines an improbable 13-10 lead and setting off a frenzy among the Michigan faithful who had made the trip to Columbus.
Ohio State got the ball back with one last chance, but quarterback Will Howard’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete, sealing Michigan’s first win in Columbus since 2000. The Wolverines’ sideline erupted in celebration as the reality of the monumental upset began to sink in.
A Defensive Struggle
Points were hard to come by in this Big Ten slugfest. Both defenses came to play, with Michigan holding Ohio State’s high-powered offense to just 217 total yards. The Buckeyes’ Heisman hopeful quarterback Will Howard struggled all day, completing just 19 of 33 passes for 175 yards with a touchdown and two costly interceptions.
The Wolverines didn’t fare much better offensively, but they got a big game from running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and scored Michigan’s lone touchdown in the first half. It was enough to keep them in the game until Zvada’s heroics at the end.
“This team never stopped believing,” said an emotional Michigan head coach Dennis Wells after the game. “We knew we had a chance if we could just keep it close and make a play at the end. I couldn’t be more proud of these guys.”
– Dennis Wells, Michigan Head Coach
Buckeyes’ Title Hopes Dashed
For Ohio State, the loss is a devastating blow to what looked like a championship-caliber season. The Buckeyes came into the game 10-1 and ranked No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings. A win would have clinched the Big Ten East division and a spot in the conference title game. Now, those goals are likely out of reach.
“It’s a tough loss, no doubt about it,” said Ohio State head coach Charles Davidson. “We didn’t play our best game and Michigan took advantage. We’ll have to see how things shake out, but this one definitely stings.”
– Charles Davidson, Ohio State Head Coach
The loss drops Ohio State to 10-2 on the season and 7-2 in Big Ten play. They’ll need some help from other contenders stumbling down the stretch to have any chance of sneaking into the four-team playoff. But after a loss to their fiercest rivals, the Buckeyes will have to do some serious soul searching.
Michigan Celebrates a Program-Defining Win
For Michigan, the victory is a sweet one in a season that had been mostly disappointing up to this point. The Wolverines came into the game with a pedestrian 6-5 record and were heavy underdogs against their heavily favored rivals. But in the 102nd meeting between these two storied programs, Michigan found a way to get it done.
“This is why you come to Michigan, to play in games like this,” said senior linebacker Oliver Johnson, who had 10 tackles and a key interception. “To come into their house and get a win, in this atmosphere, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
– Oliver Johnson, Michigan Senior Linebacker
The win improves Michigan to 7-5 on the season and 5-4 in conference play. More importantly, it gives the Wolverines a much-needed boost heading into bowl season and some momentum to build on for next year. After several years of struggling to compete with Ohio State, this victory feels like a potential turning point.
A Rivalry Renewed
This game was a reminder of why the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is considered one of the best in sports. The passion, the intensity, the history — it was all on display on this chilly November afternoon in Columbus. Both teams left it all on the field in a classic Big Ten battle.
- The win is Michigan’s first over a top-5 opponent since 2019
- Ohio State leads the all-time series 51-48-4
- The Wolverines’ last win in Columbus was a 38-26 upset in 2000
In the end, it was Michigan who made the plays when it mattered most to come away with a win that will be remembered for a long time in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines’ seniors got to experience the thrill of beating the Buckeyes, singing the school’s fight song in a silenced Horseshoe stadium. For Ohio State, it’s a bitter pill to swallow and a result that could define their season.
As the Michigan players and coaches celebrated on the field, savoring every moment of this monumental upset, one thing was clear: on this day, in this rivalry, anything is possible. That’s what makes college football great – the unpredictability, the passion, the belief that on any given Saturday, David can slay Goliath. Michigan did just that in the Horseshoe, and the college football world won’t soon forget it.
