5 things we learned from another Michigan football emasculation of Ohio State
If ever there was one play that described the current state of the rivalry between Michigan football and Ohio State, it was the 27-yard run by Kalel Mullings.
Facing a third-and-six with 3:30 left on the clock, following a goal-line interception by their quarterback, the Wolverines put the game on the shoulders of Kalel Mullings and the offensive line.
Michigan's defense just forced a three-and-out after Jack Sawyer's interception and the ball was at the Ohio State 44. This was after four straight runs for 16 yards. Everyone knew where the ball was going. Michigan was going to feed Mullings until he was stopped.
The idea was probably to get a little closer for Dominic Zvada who can hit from 60 yards. Mullings had something else in mind.
After getting met in the backfield, Mullings fought off defenders, then shed a few tackles before Caleb Downs, Ohio State's prized safety from the portal, finally pushed him out of bounds.
Downs, who played for Alabama last season, knows a thing or two about not being tough enough to beat Michigan football and in that moment, he wasn't tough enough. Not a single player on the Ohio State team was.
Mullings ran four more times on that drive. Michigan football got another first down, thanks to a 12-men on the field penalty after a timeout from Ohio State, then settled for a 21-yard field goal from Zvada.
Michigan didn't try for the touchdown because it knew it didn't need one. Ohio State didn't get a first down in the last 21 minutes and only gained 10 yards in the fourth quarter. On their final drive, the Buckeyes mustered a yard before turning it over on downs, igniting a Wolverines celebration.
That celebration eventually turned into a fight because Ohio State can't handle the fact that they are inferior, or that all the money they spent to beat Michigan was for nothing.
Also, if you want to stop an opponent from planting the flag in the middle of your field, do something about it during the game, instead of throwing a tantrum like a two-year-old.
The post-game scrum and the way each head coach handled it said as much about each program, as the 60-minute game did.
Michigan football was physically and mentally tougher. For 60 minutes. For the fourth year in a row.
There are no more excuses and here are five things we learned after Michigan football ruined Ohio State's season again.
Kalel Mullings is a Michigan football legend
All season Michigan fans have wanted Mullings to get the ball more. On Saturday, in "The Game" the coaching staff finally answered the call.
On the final drive, Michigan drove 57 yards and 54 of those came from Mullings. He got the ball nine times for 54. In the fourth quarter, the senior carried the ball 15 times and never wilted. He never looked tired and literally carried the Wolverines to the doorstep of victory.
Zvada and the defense slammed the door shut. Yet, the one play Michigan football fans will remember from this game will be the 27-yard run that reminded us all why the Wolverines continue to own this rivalry.