5 Key plays that led to Michigan Football win over Ohio State

On Saturday the Wolverines went into Columbus for the game of the decade against rival Ohio State in a battle of undefeated’s.

Both teams met at 11-0 for the first time since 2006, which was nicknamed “The Game of the Century”. The Wolverines struggled at first to move the ball, but after a while, the passing game got going, Here are my top 5 plays that led to the Wolverine W.

5. Either of Donovan Edward’s Touchdown Runs

It was no surprise going into this game that the Michigan football run game, their strength, and identity, would be a huge question mark. With Blake Corum not 100%, it wasn’t obvious who would get the bulk of the carries.

Edward’s had a huge game, coming up with 22 carries, 216 yards, and two touchdowns. The bulk of his yards came on 2 plays late in the 4th, a 75-yard touchdown, and an 85-yard touchdown. Edward’s paved the way late for another Michigan Big Ten East Championship.

4. Cornelius Johnson’s 69-Yard Touchdown Grab

Cornelius Johnson has been arguably one of the bigger letdowns of the season for the Wolverines, never emerging as that WR1 we all thought he’d be.

Johnson came alive Saturday with a Randy Moss-type performance with 4 catches, 160 yards, and two touchdowns. His 69-yard grab came in the second quarter right before halftime when the Wolverines needed a spark. His first grab of the game couldn’t have been a bigger one for Michigan football.

3. Cornelius Johnson’s 75-Yard Touchdown Grab

After Johnson’s 69-yard grab, nobody thought it could get any better, until Johnson absolutely routed Ohio State veteran corner Cameron Brown in the secondary, causing him to absolutely lose vision of the Michigan football WR. Johnson turned a great route into a one-play, 75-yard touchdown drive for the Wolverines, giving them their first lead 17-13.

2. Colston Loveland 45-Yard Touchdown Grab

One of Michigan’s hopes for the game was to see young QB J.J. McCarthy come alive in the passing game, and he absolutely did. He threw for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns, in arguably the best performance of the season for him.

His final TD pass was a 45-yard bomb on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, in which Colston Loveland burned a corner down the field, and gave the Wolverines a lead they never surrendered to the Buckeyes.

1.  J.J. McCarthy 19-Yard Scramble 

This play at #1 may come as a shock to most fans, but after watching and rewatching the game and highlights, it became clear this play was the turning point of the game. On a 2nd and 10, Wolverine QB JJ McCarthy rolled out of the pocket and elected to take off down the field.

After initially getting contacted at the Michigan 45, McCarthy powered through and carried 3 Ohio State defensive backs 10 yards before going down at the Ohio State 45-yard line. I think this play perfectly showed how much more physical and tough Michigan was over Ohio State, and I think this play was the turning point in the Wolverines’ comeback win last Saturday.