In a chilling November afternoon at Ohio Stadium, the unranked Michigan Wolverines pulled off a stunning 13-10 upset over the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, shattering the home team’s hopes of a Big Ten title berth. The heated rivalry game culminated in a shocking postgame brawl that required police intervention, with officers deploying pepper spray to disperse the clashing players.
Wolverines Stun Buckeyes in Low-Scoring Affair
Michigan entered the game as heavy underdogs, wrapping up a disappointing 7-5 season. However, records rarely matter when these bitter rivals collide. The Wolverines’ defense held strong, limiting Ohio State’s usually potent offense to a mere 10 points.
Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard struggled throughout the contest, completing just 19 of 33 passes for 175 yards with one touchdown and two costly interceptions. The Ohio State run game was virtually non-existent, failing to establish any rhythm against Michigan’s stout front seven.
Mullings Leads Michigan’s Offensive Charge
For the Wolverines, running back Kalel Mullings emerged as the primary offensive weapon. The bruising back rushed for 116 yards and scored Michigan’s lone touchdown in the first half. As both offenses sputtered in the frigid conditions, Mullings’ consistent gains proved crucial.
We knew it would be a grind, but our guys never stopped believing. Kalel [Mullings] put the team on his back today. This win means everything for our program.
– Michigan head coach, via postgame press conference
Late Heroics Seal the Upset
With under two minutes remaining, Mullings broke free for a pivotal 27-yard run, setting Michigan up deep in Ohio State territory. A few plays later, kicker Dominic Zvada drilled a 21-yard field goal to put the Wolverines ahead 13-10 with just 45 seconds left.
The Buckeyes’ last-gasp effort fell short, as Howard’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete, sealing Michigan’s fourth consecutive win in the storied rivalry. The devastating loss likely eliminates Ohio State from Big Ten title contention, pending results from conference leaders Penn State and Indiana.
Postgame Brawl Mars Stunning Upset
Emotions boiled over following the final whistle, as jubilant Michigan players attempted to plant their flag at midfield. Incensed Ohio State players confronted them, leading to a heated shoving match that rapidly escalated into a full-scale brawl.
As punches were thrown and the melee intensified, police officers rushed onto the field to intervene. Authorities resorted to using pepper spray to separate the warring factions and restore order. While no serious injuries were reported, the shocking scene marred an otherwise remarkable upset.
The end of the game was an unfortunate situation. Passions run high in this rivalry, but there’s no place for that kind of behavior. We’ll cooperate fully with any investigations into the matter.
– Ohio State Athletic Director, via statement
Implications and Looking Ahead
For Michigan, the stunning victory provides a much-needed bright spot in an otherwise frustrating campaign. The Wolverines’ seniors relished playing spoiler to their arch-rivals in their final collegiate game.
Ohio State, meanwhile, faces an uncertain postseason future. The Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff aspirations were likely dashed with the loss, and their streak of four consecutive Big Ten titles is in serious jeopardy.
As the dust settles on this unforgettable chapter in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, fans on both sides are left to grapple with the shocking result and the troubling postgame scenes. While the brawl will undoubtedly face scrutiny from conference and university officials, it underscores the intensity and passion that define one of college football’s greatest rivalries.
In the coming days, attention will turn to the Big Ten title race and the potential fallout from the unseemly postgame fracas. For now, however, the college football world is left to marvel at Michigan’s astonishing upset and the indelible images of a rivalry game that won’t soon be forgotten.
