Michigan
11-1 , 7-1
Ohio State
12-0 , 8-0
Michigan Falls at Ohio State in Big Ten Title Showdown
11/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Site: Columbus, Ohio (Ohio Stadium)
Score: #1 Ohio State 42, #2 Michigan 39
Records: U-M (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten), OSU (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten)
Attendance: 105,708
Next U-M Event: TBA
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The University of Michigan football team was unable to overcome a 14-point halftime deficit and could not pull closer than three points from the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday (Nov. 18) at Ohio Stadium, losing 42-39 before a sellout and stadium-record crowd of 105,708 fans at the Horseshoe. The Wolverines (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) gained 397 yards of total offense while yielding a season-high 507 yards to the Buckeyes (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten).
Junior tailback Mike Hart (Syracuse, N.Y./Onondaga Central HS) led the Wolverines ground game with his first 100-yard rushing effort against the Buckeyes. Hart carried the ball 23 times for 142 yards and matched his career high with three rushing scores on runs of one, two and one yards.
Junior quarterback Chad Henne (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson HS) had a stellar performance directing the Wolverines offense, completing 21-of-35 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Adrian Arrington (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Washington HS) led the receiving effort with five receptions for a career-best 90 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Mario Manningham (Warren, Ohio/Warren G. Harding HS) hauled in six catches for 86 yards.
Defensively, junior defensive tackle Alan Branch (Rio Rancho, N.M./Cibola HS) collected a pair of turnovers for the Wolverines during the third quarter, intercepting a tipped pass and corralling a fumble. The Buckeye turnovers were converted into 10 points, on a field goal and one-yard touchdown run by Hart. Fifth-year senior inside linebacker David Harris (Grand Rapids, Mich./Ottawa Hills HS) led the defensive effort with 10 tackles and one tackle for loss.
Michigan took the opening kickoff and scored the game's first points on a one-yard touchdown run by Hart. Hart took the first-and-goal handoff and went around right end for the touchdown. Hart started the 80-yard drive with a three-yard run and added a nine-yard carry. Henne completed all four passes for 67 yards, with Manningham gaining 58 of those yards on three receptions. He had a 24-yard reception on the game's second play and added a 25-yard catch that provided the first-and-goal opportunity.
The Buckeyes answered with a touchdown of their own as quarterback Troy Smith tossed a one-yard touchdown pass on an out pattern to wide receiver Roy Hall. The Ohio State scoring drive covered 69 yards in 14 plays and consumed 6:10. The primarily passing drive saw Smith complete nine-of-11 passes for 69 yards. Smith completed four third-down passes, including a 27-yard pass to Hall on third-and-16 that moved the ball inside Michigan territory.
Ohio State grabbed a 14-7 lead at 12:29 of the second quarter on a 52-yard touchdown run by tailback Chris Wells. Wells nearly missed the handoff, spun to avoid a tackler, and raced through the middle of the defense for the score. The two-play, 58-yard scoring drive began with a six-yard run by Smith. It was the fourth rushing touchdown scored against the Wolverine defense this season.
The Buckeyes increased their lead to 21-7 as Smith tossed a 39-yard touchdown pass on a fly pattern to wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. at 6:11 of the second quarter. Ohio State moved 91 yards in four plays, with Smith completing a pair of 39-yard passes and Pittman adding runs of 12 and nine yards on the first and third plays, respectively.
Michigan trimmed the deficit in half, 21-14, as Henne completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Arrington down the left sideline. Hart jump-started the Wolverines' 80-yard scoring drive with a 30-yard run up the middle of the formation. Hart carried the ball three times for 38 yards on the drive, and Ohio State was assessed a 15-yard pass interference penalty on a third-and-two play that kept the drive alive.
The Buckeyes stretched their lead to 28-14 with 20 seconds remaining in the half as Smith completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez. Smith completed eight-of-nine passes for 80 yards on the scoring drive, with every yard on the drive coming through the air.
Michigan crept within seven points, 28-21, on a two-yard touchdown run by Hart on the Wolverines' opening possession of the third quarter. The five-play scoring drive covered 60 yards in 1:59. After a one-yard gain on a lateral by Manningham, the Wolverine rode the legs of Hart the remainder of the way. Hart had an eight-yard run to set up a third-and-one play in which he broke loose for a 33-yard gain behind the left side of the line.
The Wolverines took advantage of the game's first turnover and inched closer, 28-24, on a 39-yard field goal by senior kicker Garrett Rivas (Tampa, Fla./Jesuit HS). U-M gained possession at the Buckeyes' 25-yard line following an interception by Branch on a tipped pass in the secondary. The Wolverines were unable to gain a first down as Hart picked up three yards on a pair of runs prior to an incomplete pass on third down.
The Buckeyes struck quickly to reopen their lead as tailback Antonio Pittman raced up the middle on a 56-yard touchdown run. The two-play scoring drive took 37 seconds and increased the lead to 35-24.
Michigan threatened on its next possession but turned the ball over on downs following a five-yard pass from Henne to Breaston on a third-and-10 play from Ohio State's 33-yard line. The Wolverines moved down the field on a pair of receptions by Arrington, a 15-yarder and a 25-yard strike between defenders to the Buckeyes' 33-yard line.
U-M continued to fight back and pulled within four points, 35-31, as Hart scored his third rushing touchdown of the game on a one-yard run. The Wolverines had an apparent score on a reverse by senior wide receiver Steve Breaston (North Braddock, Pa./Woodland Hills HS), but after review the ball was placed at the half-yard line. The Wolverines were presented with a first-and-goal at the Buckeyes' nine-yard line after Branch corralled a fumbled snap by Troy Smith.
Ohio State proceeded to increase its lead to 41-31 as Smith tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brian Robiskie on an out pattern. The 11-play, 83-yard scoring drive consumed 5:05.
Michigan battled back and trimmed the deficit to 42-39 with 2:16 remaining as Henne tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Tyler Ecker (El Dorado Hills, Calif./Oak Ridge HS). Breaston caught the two-point conversion attempt from Henne to cap the Wolverines' 13-play scoring drive that covered 81 yards in 3:11. Henne completed eight-of-10 passes for 81 yards on the drive.
Team Stats
MICH 7, OSU 0
MICH - Hart, Mike 1 yd run (Rivas, Garrett kick), 7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:28
MICH 7, OSU 7
OSU - Hall, Roy 1 yd pass from Smith, Troy (Pettrey, Aaron kick) 14 plays, 69 yards, TOP 6:10
MICH 7, OSU 14
OSU - Wells, Chris 52 yd run (Pettrey, Aaron kick), 2 plays, 58 yards, TOP 0:57
MICH 7, OSU 21
OSU - Ginn, Jr., Ted 39 yd pass from Smith, Troy (Pettrey, Aaron kick) 4 plays, 91 yards, TOP 1:44
MICH 14, OSU 21
MICH - Arrington, A. 37 yd pass from Henne, Chad (Rivas, Garrett kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:27
MICH 14, OSU 28
OSU - Gonzalez, A 8 yd pass from Smith, Troy (Pettrey, Aaron kick) 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:08
MICH 21, OSU 28
MICH - Hart, Mike 2 yd run (Rivas, Garrett kick), 5 plays, 60 yards, TOP 1:59
MICH 24, OSU 28
MICH - Rivas, Garrett 39 yd field goal 4 plays, 3 yards, TOP 2:07
MICH 24, OSU 35
OSU - Pittman, A 56 yd run (Pettrey, Aaron kick), 2 plays, 65 yards, TOP 0:37
MICH 31, OSU 35
MICH - Hart, Mike 1 yd run (Rivas, Garrett kick), 3 plays, 9 yards, TOP 0:40
MICH 31, OSU 42
OSU - Robiskie, B 13 yd pass from Smith, Troy (Pettrey, Aaron kick) 11 plays, 83 yards, TOP 5:00
MICH 39, OSU 42
MICH - Ecker, Tyler 16 yd pass from Henne, Chad (Breaston, Steve pass) 11 plays, 81 yards, TOP 3:11
