Wolverines Fall in Regular-Season Finale to No. 8 Ohio State

Saturday, November 28

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

9-3 , 6-2

Ohio State

11-1 , 7-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Ohio State

Michigan

Jehu Chesson

Wolverines Fall in Regular-Season Finale to No. 8 Ohio State

11/28/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football

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» Jake Rudock became the first Michigan quarterback to throw for 250-plus yards in four consecutive games, going for 19-of-32 for 263 yards and a touchdown.
» As a team, Ohio State outrushed Michigan, 369-57.
» Ohio State outscored Michigan 28-3 in the second half after leading 14-10 at halftime.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #8 Ohio State 42, #12 Michigan 13
Records: U-M (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten), OSU (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten)
Attendance: 111,829
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Dec. 6 -- Bowl Selection Show (ESPN)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan graduate student quarterback Jake Rudock threw for at least 250 yards for a program-record fourth consecutive game, but No. 12 U-M could not contain No. 8 Ohio State in a 42-13 loss on Saturday (Nov. 28) inside Michigan Stadium.

Rudock went 19-of-32 for 263 yards and a touchdown before leaving in the fourth quarter with an apparent injury. His favorite target was senior wide receiver Jehu Chesson, who had eight receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. Chesson also partially blocked a punt in the fourth quarter.

Ohio State won the game on the ground, where it outgained Michigan, 369-57, and averaged nearly seven yards per carry. The Wolverines trailed by just four at halftime, 14-10, but were outscored 28-3 in the second half.

The two teams were in a stalemate until the late stages of the first quarter. The Buckeyes were forced to punt from within their own 10-yard line, but Michigan brought a little too much pressure and got flagged for a roughing-the-kicker penalty to extend the Ohio State drive. Two plays after the penalty, Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott raced down the sideline for a 66-yard gain, eventually setting up a seven-yard touchdown run by quarterback J.T. Barrett to put the Buckeyes up 7-0.

The Wolverines utilized a pass-heavy 14-play, 72-yard drive to get on the scoreboard, ending in a 25-yard field goal from senior kicker Kenny Allen.

Touchdowns were traded in the second quarter, the first coming from Ohio State on a five-yard touchdown run by Elliott to go up 14-3. The Wolverines responded strongly, though, scoring on a five-yard touchdown pass from Rudock to Chesson to cut the lead to four, 14-10, heading into the locker room. The key play on the drive came on a third-and-10 at midfield, as Ohio State was penalized for defensive pass interference, giving Michigan an automatic first down. The very next play, Rudock dumped it off to junior running back De'Veon Smith for a 24-yard gain that set Michigan up in the red zone. The touchdown pass came three plays later.

Ohio State added two more touchdowns in the third quarter, capitalizing on a pair of 80-yard drives. Barrett threw a 25-yard pass to Jalin Marshall and ran for a 13-yard touchdown, putting Ohio State up 28-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

Michigan got three points back on a 27-yard field goal from Allen, cutting the lead to 28-13, but Ohio State continued to churn it out on the ground. A 10-yard touchdown run from Elliott and a 17-yard touchdown run from Barrett on the next two possessions gave Ohio State a 42-13 lead and put the game out of reach.

With the regular season concluded, the Wolverines now await their postseason fate. They are destined to head to a bowl game -- their 44th in program history -- and will find out all the particulars next Sunday (Dec. 6). The selection show will air on ESPN.