"Can they catch him? No! Donovan Edwards Again..."

On November 26, 2022, at Ohio Stadium, No. 3 Michigan defeated No. 2 Ohio State 45-23. The Wolverines improved to 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten) and clinched a second consecutive Big Ten East title along with a berth in the conference championship game. Ohio State fell to 11-1 (8-1). Attendance was 106,787.

This marked Michigan’s first victory in Columbus since 2000 and its second consecutive win in the rivalry, the first back-to-back victories in the series for the Wolverines since 1999–2000. Michigan outscored Ohio State 28-3 in the second half and finished with 530 total yards.

First Half: Early Ohio State Lead and Explosive Exchanges

Ohio State struck first with a 4-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Emeka Egbuka. Jake Moody answered with a 49-yard field goal for Michigan, and Noah Ruggles added a 32-yard kick for the Buckeyes to make it 10-3 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter featured rapid scoring. J.J. McCarthy connected with Cornelius Johnson on a 69-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10-10. Ruggles answered with a 47-yard field goal to give Ohio State a 13-10 lead. On the very next play from scrimmage, McCarthy and Johnson struck again—this time for 75 yards—to put Michigan ahead 17-13. Stroud responded with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison Jr., restoring Ohio State’s lead at 20-17 heading into halftime.

Second Half: Michigan Takes Control

Michigan seized the lead for good early in the third quarter on a 45-yard touchdown pass from McCarthy to Colston Loveland, making the score 24-20. The Wolverines then mounted a 15-play, 80-yard drive that consumed nearly eight minutes, capped by McCarthy’s 3-yard touchdown run to extend the advantage to 31-20 early in the fourth quarter.

Ohio State narrowed the gap with a 27-yard Ruggles field goal. On the ensuing possession, Donovan Edwards broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run. After a Stroud interception, Edwards added an 85-yard scoring run to complete the 45-23 final.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

Edwards finished with 22 carries for 216 yards and two touchdowns. McCarthy completed 12 of 24 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Johnson recorded four receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Stroud threw for 349 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Egbuka led Ohio State receivers with nine catches for 125 yards and a score; Harrison Jr. added seven receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Michigan outrushed Ohio State 252–19 in the second half after managing just 10 rushing yards before the break. Blake Corum was limited by injury and carried only twice. Michigan produced five scoring plays of 45 yards or longer.

In the broader context of the rivalry, the 2022 meeting represented a decisive statement of Michigan’s return to parity—and then superiority—after years of Ohio State dominance. It was the first road win for the Wolverines in the series in more than two decades and confirmed the emerging identity of the Harbaugh-era teams: explosive big-play capability balanced with physical control. The result secured Michigan’s path to the Big Ten Championship and a second consecutive College Football Playoff berth while marking a clear shift in the recent balance of one of college football’s most significant rivalries.