Ohio State Ends the Drought

On November 29, 2025, at a snow-covered Michigan Stadium, No. 1 Ohio State defeated No. 15 Michigan 27-9. The Buckeyes improved to 12-0 (9-0 Big Ten) and secured a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game against No. 2 Indiana. Michigan finished the regular season 9-3 (7-2). Attendance was 111,373.

This marked Ohio State’s first victory in the rivalry since 2019, snapping Michigan’s four-game winning streak that had stretched from 2021 through 2024. It was also the first time Michigan failed to score a touchdown in the series since 2007. The Wolverines managed just 163 total yards, their lowest output of the season, while Ohio State generated 419.

First Half: Early Field Position and a Shift in Momentum

Michigan struck first. Jordan Marshall’s 36-yard run on the opening play set up Dominic Zvada’s 45-yard field goal. After Julian Sayin threw an interception on Ohio State’s second offensive snap, Zvada added a 25-yard kick to make it 6-0.

Ohio State answered with a methodical drive capped by Jayden Fielding’s 24-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 6-3. The Buckeyes then seized the lead in the second quarter when Sayin connected with Jeremiah Smith on a 35-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-5. Michigan responded with Zvada’s 49-yard field goal to close within 10-9, but Ohio State answered before the half. Sayin found Brandon Inniss for a 4-yard score with 16 seconds remaining, sending the Buckeyes into the locker room ahead 17-9.

Ohio State converted consistently on third and fourth downs in the half. Michigan was limited to three field goals and struggled to sustain drives.

Second Half: Control and Clock Management

Ohio State extended the lead midway through the third quarter. After a short Michigan punt, Sayin lofted a 50-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate, who had returned from an absence dating to early November. The score made it 24-9.

The decisive sequence came later. Ohio State mounted a 20-play, 81-yard drive that consumed nearly 12 minutes, spanning the end of the third quarter and much of the fourth. Fielding’s 23-yard field goal pushed the margin to 27-9. Michigan’s final opportunities produced no points; Bryce Underwood’s interception sealed the result.

Statistics and Notes

Sayin completed 19 of 26 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Bo Jackson rushed for 117 yards on 22 carries. Tate finished with five receptions for 82 yards and a score; Smith added three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Underwood completed 8 of 18 for 63 yards with one interception. Marshall led Michigan with 61 rushing yards.

Ohio State dominated time of possession and third-down efficiency. Michigan’s offense never found rhythm after the early field goals, and the defense could not force consistent stops once Ohio State settled in.