Ohio State-Michigan: Buckeyes blow out Wolverines again

»PHOTOS: Ohio State routs Michigan

Leading 28-16, Ohio State took the ball to start the third quarter and drove 75 yards for another touchdown.

The Buckeyes needed six plays to increase their lead, which they did on a Fields pass to K.J. Hill from six yards out.

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After forcing a punt, they went 80 yards for another touchdown, but this one did not come without some drama.

Fields left the game after an Ohio State blocker was pushed into his left knee. He missed seven plays but returned to find Garrett Wilson in the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown. Fields had to create time with a scramble before delivering a strike to Wilson.

Michigan appeared on the verge of collapse at that time, but the Wolverines took advantage of a muffed punt by Wilson and kicked a field goal to make it a three-score game at 42-19.

After an Ohio State punt, Michigan rode Hassan Haskins most of the way to another touchdown. His 33-yard run started the drive, and he finished it with a 2-yard touchdown run then ran in the two-point conversion to draw Michigan within 15 points at 14:23 of the fourth quarter.

The Buckeyes had a chance to slam the door but stalled after Chris Olave dropped a potential touchdown pass, tight end Luke Farrell was called for false start to turn third-and-1 into third-and-6 and Fields was unable to connect with Damario McCall on a short pass.

Michigan’s reprieve was short-lived, though, as Haskins was stopped by Robert Landers on a fourth-and-1 and the Buckeyes got the ball at the Michigan 28.

Four plays later, they cashed in when Fields hit Austin Mack on a crossing route and the receiver did the rest, weaving his way into the end zone to put the game away.

Dobbins put the finishing touches on the blowout with a 33-yard touchdown run with 6:30 left in the fourth quarter.

He finished with 211 yards and four touchdowns.

Fields completed 14 of 25 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

FIRST HALF RECAP

Ohio State has a 28-16 halftime lead at Michigan, capitalizing in the red zone and stopping the Wolverines twice there.

The Wolverines struck first on a 22-yard end around touchdown run by Giles Jackson.

That capped a 75-yard scoring drive that included a key third down completion from Shea Patterson to Ronnie Bell for seven yards. Jeffrey Okudah hit Bell out of bounds as the play ended, and a 15-yard penalty was tacked on for a personal foul.

Quinn Nordin missed the point-after kick, leaving Michigan’s lead at 6-0, and that did not last long.

Ohio State went 75 yards on its first possession with J.K. Dobbins doing all the work. He had a 34-yard run and a 28-yard reception to set up a 5-yard touchdown run. Dobbins also recovered his own fumble along the way, getting a fortuitous bounce after dropping the ball as he went through the Michigan line.

Blake Haubeil’s PAT kick was good to give the Buckeyes a 7-6 lead.

After the teams traded punts, they traded touchdowns again.

Ohio State struck on a 57-yard pass from Justin Fields to Chris Olave, but Michigan responded with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Patterson to Donovan Peoples-Jones that was set up by a 41-yard pass to Sean McKeon.

The Buckeyes started the second quarter with another touchdown drive, this one keyed by a 41-yard catch-and-run by Garrett Wilson. Fields faced down a blitz and hit Wilson with no one around him on a short crossing pattern. He was taken down at the 12, and Dobbins finished the job three plays later with a 6-yard touchdown run.

The Wolverines went right back to work and drove to the Ohio State 9, but Patterson was thrown for a loss on back-to-back plays then dropped the snap on third down.

Wayne graduate Robert “BB” Landers recovered for Ohio State at the OSU 16.

That drive looked like it would end with a punt, but Michigan jumped offside on fourth-and-4 as Ohio State was punting.

That let the Buckeyes keep the ball, and they made it hurt when Fields found Wilson for a 47-yard pass. They hurried to the line and Dobbins ran it in around left end for his third touchdown of the first half and a 28-13 lead.

The Wolverines had a chance to get back within a touchdown, but Peoples-Jones dropped a pass in the end zone and they settled for a 23-yard field goal by Nordin.

PREGAME

Ohio State and Michigan are set to tee it up for the 116th time Saturday at Michigan Stadium.

The Buckeyes are looking for their record eighth consecutive win in the series while the Wolverines are hoping to end their regular season on a high note.

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Ohio State will play in the Big Ten Championship game next week while Michigan will await its bowl assignment.