Michigan takes down Ohio State, 30-24 for 3rd straight over Buckeyes: Game recap, highlights

For the third straight year, Michigan football took down rival Ohio State 30-24 to secure a trip to the Big Ten championship game and potentially lock up a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Wolverines now own a three-game winning streak over the Buckeyes for the first time since 1995-97. Sherrone Moore led the was as acting head coach with Jim Harbaugh absent due to suspension. Harbaugh is again sidelined for the final game of his three-game suspension for violating the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy with Michigan’s illicit sign-stealing scandal.

This game kicked off in its usual 12 p.m. timeslot, 12:14 thanks to TV, from Michigan Stadium. It was televised on Fox and livestreamed on Fubo.

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Michigan vs. Ohio State game recap

Final: Rod Moore intercepts Kyle McCord to close comeback, Michigan defeats Ohio State 30-24

Michigan put an emphatic, physical stamp in the final minutes to close out their third straight win over Ohio State for the first three-game winning streak in the rivalry in over 25 years. Michigan got the ball back with eight minutes left and burned nearly seven minutes off the clock to dash any hopes of an Ohio State comeback despite the last-minute attempts. Ohio State drove deep into Michigan territory in the final minute searching for a go-ahead touchdown, Rod Moore closed the game with an interception at the Michigan 21-yard line to close the game.

Moore’s interception was the final highlight of a game filled with timely big plays from the Wolverines to come away with the narrow victory in a tight battle on both sides of the ball. Michigan struck first thanks to a Blake Corum touchdown set up by a Will Johnson interception deep in Ohio State territory and did not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game. Michigan's defense also came up with the only stop of the second half at the end of the third quarter, which let Michigan build a 27-17 lead that proved to be insurmountable.

Corum led the way with 88 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. J.J. McCarthy was solid all afternoon, completing 16 of 20 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown to Roman Wilson. The Wolverines outgained Ohio State 156-107 on the ground and were plus-two in the turnover margin, proving the difference in the tight game.

Kyle McCord was 18-of-30 for 271 yards and two touchdowns, but the two interceptions hurt Ohio State's prospects in a game where every point mattered. Marvin Harrison Jr. was the leading receiver with five catches for 118 yards and one touchdown and TreVeyon Henderson added 60 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

1:05, fourth quarter: Michigan goes up 30-24 late with 3rd FG

Michigan burned seven minutes off the game clock with a physically-imposing 13-play drive that featured only two passes. Michigan only had one play of over 10 yards on the drive — a 14-yard run by Blake Corum — but consistently picked up handfuls of yards on runs up the middle. Ohio State burned all three timeouts to stop the clock and finally stopped the Wolverines at the 19-yard line. James Turner hit the 37-yarder to make the lead six points with a minute left. Ohio State will have to go the length of the field with no timeouts.

8:05, fourth quarter: Marvin Harrison Jr. scores TD to cut Michigan lead to 27-24

Ohio State didn't flinch falling down two scores late. The Buckeyes answered eight-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a Marvin Harrison Jr. touchdown to cut Michigan's lead to three. Kyle McCord hit Julian Fleming on a back-shoulder throw for a 28-yard gain to move Ohio State into Michigan territory. The Buckeyes followed it up with a crucial nine-yard run on 3rd-and-8 to pick up a first down in the red zone. On second down from the 14, McCord found Harrison on a crossing route and he turned it upfield into the corner of the end zone for a touchdown.

11:57, fourth quarter: Michigan adds FG for 27-17 lead

Michigan's defense delivered a crucial three-and-out on the ensuing possession to give the offense the ball back at their own 36-yard line. Michigan drove 44 yards in seven plays, highlighted by a 34-yard pass from running back Donovan Edwards to Colston Loveland on a trick play, before running out of steam at the OSU 20-yard line. James Turner made his second field goal, this time from 38 yards, to extend the lead to two possessions entering the final stretch.

1:55, third quarter: Blake Corum breaks 22-yard TD, Michigan leads 24-17

Michigan's first big run from a running back went for a touchdown to put the Wolverines back in the lead. A play after a long injury stoppage for Michigan right guard Zack Zinter, Blake Corum took an inside run up the middle and then bounced to the right sideline at the second level to race for a 22-yard touchdown. J.J. McCarthy had two completions of 10 or more yards to his two tight ends, Colston Loveland and A.J. Barner, and had a scramble of 15 yards.

Zinter, a 2022 first-team All-Big Ten offensive lineman with 44 career starts, exited the game on a cart after suffering a serious leg injury. His leg was rolled up while blocking on the play before the touchdown. He stayed on the ground for minutes and was eventually taken off on the cart. Michigan's entire team came out and kneeled on the field while he was being tended to.

5:35, third quarter: Ohio State ties game at 17 with TreVeyon Henderson TD

Ohio State ran all over Michigan on their first drive of the second half to the the game at 17 entering the final 20 minutes. Once Ohio State reached Michigan's side of the 50, the Buckeyes ran the ball eight straight times right down Michigan's throat to march to the end zone. They finished the drive with a two-yard TreVeyon Henderson over the right side. Henderson had six carries for 26 yards on the drive to power 46 rushing yards overall for the Buckeyes. Marvin Harrison Jr. also showed his NFL talent by shrugging off Will Johnson for a 14-yard catch-and-run for the initial first down of the drive.

11:43, third quarter: Michigan adds FG on first drive of second half, extends lead to 17-10

Sherrone Moore came out of halftime with a wrinkle with backup quarterback Alex Orji, who entered the play for two plays. After J.J. McCarthy started the drive with a 21-yard completion to Colston Loveland over the middle, he was subbed out for Orji, who ripped off a 21-yard run to the Ohio State on his first play. Michigan couldn't pick up another first down and had to settle for a 50-yard field goal, which James Turner hit to extend the lead to seven.

Halftime: Ohio State misses last-second field goal, Michigan leads 14-10 at break

Ohio State stopped Michigan with three minutes left and drove 64 yards to the Michigan 34-yard line to attempt a 52-yard field goal. Jayden Fielding missed the kick wide left after making the first attempt and having to line up for a second attempt because of a Michigan timeout. The timeout preserved Michigan's four-point lead in a hotly contested first half with plenty of good defense on both sides. Kyle McCord delivered his best pass of the day on a 44-yard completion to Marvin Harrison Jr. to kickstart the drive.

Michigan holds an early edge thanks to a big interception by Will Johnson in the first quarter, which set up Blake Corum's record-setting touchdown a few plays later for a 7-0 lead. Ohio State answered with a field goal but Michigan added another touchdown from Roman Wilson to make it 14-3. Ohio State did not go quietly, though, and responded with an Emeka Egbuka touchdown to maintain a one-score deficit and just missed on three more points before the half.

J.J. McCarthy had a solid half, completing eight of 11 passes for 85 yards and the touchdown to Wilson. The running game has struggled to get going, only gaining 34 yards on 18 carries, but come up big in short yardage situations. Kyle McCord rebounded after the interception to finish the half solidly. McCord was 12-of-19 for 156 yards and hit multiple 30-yard passes in the second quarter to kickstart the offense. Ohio State's running game has not found any success either, gaining only 37 yards on 12 carries.

6:27, second quarter: Emeka Egbuka scores Ohio State's first TD to cut Michigan lead to 14-10

Ohio State shook off their cobwebs after Michigan's touchdown to reach paydirt for the first time. The Buckeyes went 73 yards in seven plays, catalyzed by a deep pass, and finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown to Emeka Egbuka on a route in the flat. Kyle McCord was 4-of-4 for 48 yards on the drive, including a 32-yard completion to tight end Cade Stover down the seam to put Ohio State in Michigan territory two plays into the drive.

10:22, second quarter: McCarthy finds Roman Wilson in tight window for TD, Michigan leads 14-3

Michigan's offense seemed to find a rhythm on their fourth drive. J.J. McCarthy hit Roman Wilson on a crossing route with an throw splitting two defenders in a tight window for a 22-yard touchdown. Wilson had to wrestle for control with Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke, who jostled the ball out as the two hit the ground in the end zone. The play was called a touchdown on the field and the call stood after a review.

The play capped a 14-play, 75-yard drive filled with bruising runs. Michigan picked up two crucial fourth down conversions on 4th-and-1 with a Blake Corum dive over the scrum and a short Colston Loveland completion.

2:13, first quarter: Ohio State answers with field goal, Michigan leads 7-3

Ohio State responded to the interception and touchdown with a field goal drive. Kyle McCord threw a 24-yard fade to Marvin Harrison Jr. on his first throw after the pick to get the drive going. Ohio State reached field goal range on the next play due to a personal foul on Michigan, but couldn't go any further. Ohio State picked up three more yards to reach the Michigan 24, but had to kick a 43-yard field goal.

5:36, first quarter: Blake Corum powers in for 21st TD of season, Michigan leads 7-0

Blake Corum etched his name in the history books to give Michigan the first lead of the game. On fourth down from the 1-yard line, Corum lumbered through the crowded offensive line to put Michigan ahead 7-0 for his 21st touchdown of 2023. He is now the all-time leader for most touchdowns in a season. Corum was ruled short on a third down run — a call that stood after review — but he could not be denied on the goal line for two plays in a row. Will Johnson's interception provided the excellent field position to set up the score.

7:32, first quarter: Will Johnson intercepts Kyle McCord, Michigan takes over in red zone

Will Johnson has the first highlight of the game to set Michigan up with a scoring opportunity at the Ohio State seven-yard line. On the first play of Ohio State's third drive, Johnson got in front of Marvin Harrison Jr. on a slant and hauled in his third interception of the season. Johnson stayed on his feet to return it inside the Buckeyes' 10 to set up the first quality scoring opportunity of the game.

7:41, first quarter: Defense dominates opening minutes, game tied at 0

The first few minutes indicate the 2023 version of The Game could be a defensive throwback. Both defenses have traded haymakers on the first four drives to stymie the offenses and force quick punts.

Ohio State started with the ball and went three-and-out after gaining six yards. Michigan answered with a five-yard drive and an immediate punt of their own. Ohio State got the first first down of the game on the third drive, but followed it up with a punt after three plays. Michigan just had another three-and-out and the 71 yard kick led to a touchback.

The hype is real

Michigan called on legendary defensive back and Heisman winner Charles Woodson to narrate Michigan's pregame hype video. Fox's "Big Noon Kickoff" pregame show also released a hype video voiced by former Wolverines quarterback and future NFL Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady.

Ohio State also called up one of their former Heisman winners, quarterback Troy Smith, to narrate the Buckeyes' pregame hype video. Smith was under center for Ohio State's 42-39 win over Michigan in 2006 when the teams squared off ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the country.

Pregame notes

Michigan’s goal the entire season is to return to the College Football Playoff to rinse out the taste of two disappointing defeats to Georgia and TCU that ended its 2021 and 2022 seasons. But standing in the way of that goal and a third straight Big Ten title appearance is Ohio State, which is trying to avenge back-to-back losses to the Wolverines which snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Buckeyes.

This is the fourth time the schools have met ranked top three in the country out of 119 meetings and the second year in a row it has happened. Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore will be the head coach for this game, as Harbaugh serves the final game of his conference-mandated suspension.

Michigan is 3-0 on the season under Moore and have won consecutive games over Penn State and Purdue during Harbaugh’s second suspension. The Wolverines have relied on their top-ranked defense and mashing rushing attack, which is averaging 45.5 rushing attempts for 188.5 yards per game (4.1 yards per rush) in the past two games.

J.J. McCarthy will look to bounce back after an uneven performance last week against Purdue. McCarthy completed just 12 of 23 passes for 141 yards and an interception — his third consecutive game without a touchdown, and continued to show struggles without Harbaugh on the sideline. He will face his toughest test of the season against Ohio State’s defense that is No. 1 in pass yards per game (144.4), No. 2 in scoring defense (9.27 points per game) and No. 3 in total defense (252.9 yards per game).

The Buckeyes defense has been the catalyst for their success as the normally potent offense went through growing pains with first-year starting quarterback Kyle McCord. OSU is No. 24 in the country in scoring (33.6 points per game) and No. 23 in passing yards (283.7 per game) and possesses arguably the most talented player in the country, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who has 62 catches for 1,093 yards (17.6 yards per reception) and 13 touchdowns. Harrison is a projected top 5 draft pick in April's NFL draft.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan vs. Ohio State football score: Game recap, highlights