The End of the Ten Year Drought

On November 27, 2021, at Michigan Stadium, No. 6 Michigan defeated No. 2 Ohio State 42-27. The Wolverines improved to 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten) and clinched a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State fell to 10-2 (8-1). Attendance was 111,156.

This marked Michigan’s first victory in the rivalry since 2011, ending an eight-game losing streak (and a 15-of-16 stretch of Ohio State dominance dating back further). It was also Jim Harbaugh’s first win as head coach against the Buckeyes.

First Half: Early Lead and Narrow Margin

Michigan opened the scoring on a 14-yard touchdown run by A.J. Henning. Ohio State answered with a 31-yard field goal by Noah Ruggles to make it 7-3. Early in the second quarter, C.J. Stroud connected with Garrett Wilson on a 25-yard touchdown pass, giving the Buckeyes a 10-7 lead.

Hassan Haskins responded with a 1-yard touchdown run to put Michigan back in front 14-10. Ruggles added a 30-yard field goal just before halftime, trimming the deficit to 14-13.

Second Half: Haskins Dominates

Michigan seized control in the third quarter. Haskins scored on a 13-yard run to make it 21-13, then added a 1-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 28-13. Ohio State was held scoreless in the period.

In the fourth quarter, TreVeyon Henderson scored on a 1-yard run to cut the margin to 28-20. Michigan answered with another Haskins touchdown (2 yards), pushing the lead to 35-20. Henderson scored again on a 10-yard reception from Stroud to make it 35-27, but Haskins sealed the result with a 4-yard touchdown run late, completing the 42-27 final.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

Haskins finished with 28 carries for 169 yards and five rushing touchdowns, tying a Michigan single-game school record. Blake Corum added 87 yards on six carries. Cade McNamara completed 13 of 19 passes for 159 yards. Stroud threw for 394 yards and two touchdowns on 34-of-49 passing. Jaxon Smith-Njigba led Ohio State receivers with 11 catches for 127 yards; Wilson added 10 receptions for 119 yards and a score. Henderson contributed 74 rushing yards and a receiving touchdown.

Michigan outrushed Ohio State 297–64 and controlled the ground game after the half. Aidan Hutchinson recorded three sacks, setting a new single-season school record with 13. Michigan produced touchdowns on all four of its complete second-half drives.

In the broader context of the rivalry, the 2021 meeting marked the end of a long period of Ohio State superiority and the beginning of Michigan’s multi-year run of success in the series. It validated the physical, run-oriented identity that defined the early Harbaugh championship-contending teams and delivered the program’s first Big Ten Championship Game appearance. The result stands as a clear turning point in the modern history of The Game.