Ohio States Late Rally

On November 25, 2017, at Michigan Stadium, No. 8 Ohio State defeated Michigan 31-20. The Buckeyes improved to 10-2 (8-1 Big Ten). Michigan finished the regular season 8-4 (5-4). Attendance was 112,028.

This marked Ohio State’s sixth consecutive victory in the rivalry and continued a stretch of dominance in the series under Urban Meyer.

First Half: Michigan Builds an Early Lead

Michigan struck first on a 2-yard touchdown run by Khalid Hill, capping a 13-play, 77-yard drive. Early in the second quarter, John O’Korn connected with Sean McKeon on a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0.

Ohio State responded with a 21-yard touchdown run by J.T. Barrett, followed by a 25-yard scoring pass from Barrett to Marcus Baugh, tying the game at 14-14 by halftime.

Second Half: Buckeyes Take Control

Michigan regained the lead in the third quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Karan Higdon (the extra point was blocked), making it 20-14. Ohio State answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by J.K. Dobbins to take a 21-20 advantage.

In the fourth quarter, Sean Nuernberger added a 44-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-20. Mike Weber sealed the result with a 25-yard touchdown run late, completing the 31-20 final.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

Dobbins finished with 15 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. Barrett added 67 rushing yards and a score while completing 3 of 8 passes for 30 yards and a touchdown; Dwayne Haskins contributed 6-of-7 passing for 94 yards in relief. Weber rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown. O’Korn completed 17 of 32 passes for 195 yards, one touchdown, and one interception for Michigan. Chris Evans led the Wolverines with 67 rushing yards, and Higdon added 55 yards and a score.

Ohio State outrushed Michigan 226–100 and generated 350 total yards to Michigan’s 295. The Buckeyes’ defense forced a key stop after Michigan’s third-quarter lead and limited the Wolverines to zero points in the final period.

In the broader context of the rivalry, the 2017 meeting exemplified the resilience of Meyer’s Ohio State teams and the challenges Michigan faced in sustaining leads during the early Harbaugh era. The Buckeyes’ ability to erase a 14-point deficit and close out the game on the ground reinforced their physical identity and extended their streak in the series. The result closed Michigan’s regular season and highlighted the competitive but ultimately decisive nature of these late-2010s matchups.