Ann Arbor, MI

Luke Fickell and his Ohio State football players wanted to talk about the Michigan-Ohio State game after the Buckeyes narrowly lost 40-34 to the No. 17 Wolverines Saturday.

But Fickell, OSU's interim coach this season, and his players couldn't avoid questions about the rumors of Urban Meyer's impending appointment as the new Buckeye coach.

"This is about the Michigan-Ohio State game," said Fickell, who pounded his fist on the table when again asked about the reports on Meyer.

Denard Robinson passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more to lead the Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Braxton Miller threw for two touchdown passes and ran for another to lead Ohio State to a 24-23 halftime lead.

But in the end, it wasn't enough for the Buckeyes who finished the regular season at 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the conference.

"I'm hurt just like the seniors," Fickell said.

"I'm down," said OSU running back Dan Herron, a senior. "Anytime you lose a game, especially to Michigan....We were confident. We did a good job of moving the ball all day."

Robinson passed for 167 yards and ran for 170 more. Miller, a freshman, stayed toe-to-toe with his counterpart, throwing for 235 yards and running for 100. As quarterbacks, Miller and Robinson led their respective teams in rushing.

Toussaint gained 120 yards rushing for the Wolverines..

"The big guys up front gave us the holes and Fitz and I ran through them," Robinson said.

"Ohio State was excellent," said Michigan defensive end Ryan VanBerrgen. "In the end, we came up with the big play."

Michigan took a six-point lead early in the third on Robinson's 20-yard scoring pass to Martavious Odoms.

Ohio State had a chance to take the lead when Michigan punter Will Hagerup mishandled the snap and put the Buckeyes at the Wolverine 31. But OSU settled for a 21-yard field goal by Drew Basil, making it a 3-point game.

Early in the fourth Michigan went up 37-27 on Robinson's 4-yard TD pass to Kevin Koger.

Ohio State came right back and scored on Herron's 4-yard run. The Wolverines came back and almost scored twice. Toussaint was ruled, after he had apparently scored, to be at the 1-foot line.

On the next play, Robinson's 1-foot TD run was nullified on two major penalties against the Wolverines. Brendan Gibbon's 43-yard field goal made it a 6-point lead.

Courtney Avery intercepted a Miller pass to seal the win.

The Buckeyes scored on the game's first drive with Miller throwing a 54-yard pass to a wide open Corey Brown for the touchdown.

Later in the quarter, Buckeye left tackle Mike Adams was called for holding in the end zone, giving Michigan a safety. The Wolverines took advantage on the free kick with another touchdown drive capped off with Robinson passing 26 yards to Junior Hemingway for the touchdown.

Ohio State, trailing 16-7, cut the gap early in the second quarter on Basil's 35-yard field goal. After OSU recovered a Michigan fumble at the Wolverine 31, Miller scampered for 19 yards to put the Buckeyes in front.

Robinson scored from 6 yards out to put his team back in the lead. But late in the half, Miller passed 43 yards to DeVier Posey to give his team the one-point halftime lead 24-23.

"They're an excellent team. " said Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin. 'They did a great job of executing their plays."

"We've been through a lot this year," Herron said. "A lot of people could have given up on it. The team stuck together. Coach Fickell did a great job of keeping things together."

 

 

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