In a heart-stopping finish that will be etched in College football lore, No. 5 Michigan pulled off a stunning upset against rival Ohio State, defeating the Buckeyes 24-21 on a 48-yard field goal as time expired. The dramatic kick by sophomore kicker Jake Moody not only silenced the raucous crowd at Ohio Stadium but also dramatically altered the landscape of the playoff race, handing Michigan a crucial victory in one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries.
The game, which pitted two undefeated teams against each other with massive implications for the College football Playoff, saw Michigan trailing 21-10 entering the fourth quarter. What followed was a masterful comeback orchestrated by quarterback J.J. McCarthy and a defense that bent but never broke, culminating in Moody’s game-winner after a 15-play, 68-yard drive that consumed the final 2:45 of regulation.
Sophomore Kicker Emerges as Unlikely Hero in Rivalry Clash
Jake Moody, a 20-year-old sophomore from Northfield, Ohio—ironically just a short drive from Columbus—stepped onto the field with the weight of Wolverine Nation on his shoulders. With the score tied at 21-21 and only seconds left on the clock, Moody’s 48-yard attempt sailed true, splitting the uprights as the clock hit zero. The kick, his third field goal of the night, capped a performance that included successful boots from 32 and 39 yards earlier in the game.
“It feels surreal,” Moody said post-game, his voice still trembling with adrenaline. “I’ve dreamed of moments like this since I was a kid watching the Michigan-Ohio State game. To deliver in this rivalry means everything.” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh praised the young kicker, calling him “the steady hand we needed in the storm.” Moody’s accuracy under pressure—now 18-of-20 on field goals this season—has been a quiet strength for the Wolverines, but this kick elevates him to legend status among fans.
Before the kick, Michigan’s offense had struggled against Ohio State’s stout defense, which entered the game ranked No. 2 nationally in points allowed. But a late penalty on the Buckeyes for roughing the kicker extended the drive, giving McCarthy the time he needed to set up the field goal attempt. This moment of redemption came after Moody missed a 45-yarder earlier in the season against Penn State, a miss that had haunted him. Now, it’s a story of triumph that Michigan supporters will retell for years.
Michigan’s Fourth-Quarter Miracle: From 11 Points Down to Victory
The turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Michigan found itself staring down a 21-10 deficit after Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 27-yard touchdown. The Buckeyes, who had dominated possession with 285 total yards by halftime, seemed poised to extend their lead in the rivalry, where they had won the last eight encounters.
Enter J.J. McCarthy, Michigan’s junior signal-caller, who completed 22 of 30 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns on the night. With 11:32 left, McCarthy orchestrated a 75-yard scoring drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown pass to running back Blake Corum, who finished with 108 rushing yards on 22 carries. The two-point conversion tied the game at 21-21, igniting the Michigan sideline and shifting the momentum decisively.
“We never quit,” McCarthy told reporters in the locker room. “This team’s got heart, and we showed it tonight.” The Wolverines’ defense, led by linebacker Junior Colson with 11 tackles and an interception, forced a three-and-out on Ohio State’s next possession. That set the stage for the game-winning drive, where McCarthy methodically picked apart the Buckeyes’ secondary, converting two third downs with precise passes to tight end Luke Schoonmaker.
Statistically, the game was a defensive battle: Both teams combined for just 512 total yards, with Michigan holding Ohio State to 3.2 yards per carry on the ground. The Wolverines’ 24 points marked their highest output against the Buckeyes since 2016, a testament to Harbaugh’s emphasis on physicality and resilience. This upset wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that Michigan is back as a playoff contender.
Rivalry Rekindled: The Fierce History Behind Michigan vs. Ohio State
The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, known simply as “The Game,” dates back to 1897 and is the most storied in College football. With 117 meetings, Ohio State holds a slight edge at 50-50-6, but Michigan’s last victory in Columbus came in 2000, making this 24-21 thriller all the more monumental. The stakes have never been higher: Both teams entered undefeated at 11-0, with a playoff berth on the line.
Ohio Stadium, with its 105,000-plus capacity, was a sea of scarlet and gray, but Michigan’s traveling fans—numbering over 10,000—made their presence felt, especially in the final moments. The atmosphere was electric from the opening kickoff, with pre-game tailgates stretching back to the Scioto River and legends like former Buckeye Archie Griffin in attendance.
Historically, this matchup has produced iconic moments: Think Woody Hayes’ infamous interference in 1978 or Michigan’s 42-39 shootout win in 2018. But none quite match the drama of Moody’s kick. Ohio State coach Ryan Day, whose team finished the regular season 11-1, reflected on the loss: “We had our chances, but give Michigan credit—they executed when it mattered most.” Day’s .900 winning percentage in regular-season games takes a hit, but the Buckeyes’ talent, including Heisman contender Stroud (who threw for 291 yards and two scores), keeps them in the playoff conversation.
The rivalry’s intensity extends beyond the field. It’s a cultural clash between two Midwest powerhouses, with Michigan representing the industrial grit of Ann Arbor and Ohio State embodying the Buckeye State’s unyielding pride. This victory snaps Ohio State’s eight-game winning streak in the series, restoring some balance and fueling debates about which program reigns supreme.
Playoff Shake-Up: Michigan’s Win Reshapes College Football Landscape
This upset sends shockwaves through the college football world, propelling Michigan into the driver’s seat for a Big Ten championship game berth and a likely top-four seed in the College Football Playoff. With the win, the Wolverines improve to 12-0, positioning them to host a playoff quarterfinal if they secure the conference title against Purdue in two weeks.
The selection committee, chaired by Penn State’s James Delany, now faces a tougher task. Ohio State drops to No. 2 behind Georgia, but their one loss to Michigan—a resume-booster for the Wolverines—keeps them ahead of one-loss teams like Alabama and Clemson. Michigan, previously ranked fifth, could leapfrog to No. 1 with a strong showing in the Big Ten title game, especially if TCU stumbles in the Big 12.
Experts are already weighing in. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, a former Buckeye, called it “the biggest win of Harbaugh’s tenure,” while CBS Sports’ Gary Danielson noted, “This Michigan team has the defense to go all the way—playoff or bust.” The Wolverines’ path includes a potential semifinal matchup against the SEC champion, but their balanced attack (averaging 42 points per game) makes them a dark horse for the national title.
For Ohio State, the loss stings but doesn’t end their season. They’ll likely earn an at-large bid and face a rematch possibility in the playoff, adding intrigue to an already chaotic bracket. The Big Ten’s automatic qualifier spot now belongs to Michigan, forcing the Buckeyes into the wild-card conversation.
Looking ahead, Michigan faces a lighter schedule to rest key players like running back Blake Corum, who rushed for over 1,000 yards this season despite an earlier knee injury. Harbaugh’s squad, with its 9-0 Big Ten record, eyes a return to the playoff for the first time since 2021. Meanwhile, Ohio State must regroup quickly, with Stroud declaring for the NFL Draft but vowing to lead one more charge in the postseason.
As the playoff field takes shape on Selection Sunday, December 4, this Michigan victory ensures The Game’s legacy endures, reminding everyone why college football thrives on such unpredictable drama. The Wolverines’ resilience could carry them to Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship, where a win would confirm their status as the conference’s top dog and a legitimate national threat.
