Michigan 40, Ohio State 34: Your comprehensive guide to our coverage
Michigan's Roy Roundtree hugs fellow wide receiver Junior Hemingway (21) after the Wolverines beat Ohio State, 40-34, at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
The Game had become The Streak.
The Michigan football team's seven straight losses to Ohio State was the most in this storied rivalry since the Wolverines won nine straight in 1901-09.
Where were you when that string was snapped?
If you were looking in on Michigan Stadium on Saturday, you witnessed more than the end of a excruciating streak for the Wolverines and their fans. You witnessed U-M history being made (two 1,000-yard rushers), a little fun being had (a new post-game celebration) and legacies being salvaged (the Michigan seniors had never beaten OSU or MSU).
You may also have witnessed Luke Fickell's only Michigan-Ohio State game as head coach and the Wolverines wrapping up a BCS bid for the first time since 2006.
We have all of those angles -- and a number of others -- covered for you. Here's a compilation of the stories you can find our site:
Post-Game Coverage
• Boxscore | Big Ten scoreboard
• Kyle Meinke column: Michigan's senior class needed streak-ending win over Ohio State.
• Game story: Fans celebrate as Michigan holds off Ohio State, 40-34.
• Questioned all season, Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson saves his best for last.
• Notebook: After quick turn of events, Michigan defense shuts the door on Ohio State in final seconds.
• After practicing all season, Michigan unveils special celebration following Ohio State win.
• Was this Luke Fickell's only Michigan-Ohio State game as head coach?.
• Video: Fans flood the field, Brady Hoke and players discuss win over Ohio State.
• Photo gallery: The best images from staff photographers Melanie Maxwell, Joe Tobianski and Jeff Sainlar.
• Grade the Wolverines: Your chance to rate Michigan's performance on offense, defense, special teams, coaching and overall.
• Game balls:They go to Denard Robinson, Michigan's defense and others.
• Associated Press: Through all the turmoil, Ohio State still had its streak against Michigan ... until now.
• ESPN.com: Video highlights of Michigan football team's 40-34 victory against Ohio State
• MLive.com: Wolverines' recovery complete as Brady Hoke basks in victory against rival Ohio State.
In-Game Coverage
• We strung together live updates throughout the game. Check them out here.
• Our live chat was quite lively and merry -- with a couple brief stretches of hysterical panic. That transcript can be found here.
More Scores
Michigan State 31, Northwestern 17: Spartans head to inaugural Big Ten title game in Indianapolis on a winning note. (MSU coverage)
Comments
Wally the Wolverine
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 3:15 a.m.
I've seen several comments on the relative disappointment of playing a "lower quality opponent" in a BCS game. Let's maintain a little perspective here. What other conferences are sending their 3rd or 4th place finisher (depending on the outcome of the B1G Championship) to a BCS game - the SEC? We should be thankful for this opportunity. GO BLUE!
BuckEye
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
Interesting Facts: 21 of MIchigan's Players are from OHIO.. The Coach Brady Hoake is born and raised in Ohio , His Dad John Hoake use to Play football for Woody Hayes at the University of Miami in Ohio , Ohio State Had 10 Rookie Defensive Players, A Rookie Quarter Back Braxton Miller . But Still Managed to Play a Very Good Game.. I am Proud of the Buckeye's..
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 1:16 a.m.
Who is Brady "Hoake?"
goldenblue
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 1:08 a.m.
Interesting fact: I am from akron,ohio in fact i was born there.I live in the great state of Michigan and love it here.I bleed maize and blue.
ted
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 9:47 p.m.
or 15th. they dont look like they will be able to leap anyone, except if oklahoma loses to okla st
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 1:05 a.m.
Then don't worry about Houston. According to you they won't be in the game anyway.
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.
Like I said, "should Michigan get the invite." It seems the experts think Michigan will move up into BCS-qualifying position, but we fans can only hope. It would be huge for the program. We don't pick where we go, nor who we play, so whining about the possibility of playing Houston is pretty insignificant, as it will not be by our choice. But I expect to see you here rubbing it in should Michigan not make it. But where is your team playing? No answer? Scared to say so? Come on, bro.
GoBigBlue
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 10:01 p.m.
Huh? No kidding. What if MSU loses to Wisky or if Georgia loses to LSU? No your right. No chance of moving up.
ted
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 9:44 p.m.
one thing I noticed though......You have to be in the top 14 in the BCS to get an at large bid. Michigan is 16
ted
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
@ Rude Jude Are you telling me that you would not rather play any other BCS eligible team over Houston ?
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
Who we play is secondary to actually getting to a BCS game. If that happens, I'm pretty happy with whomever we play. Michigan, making a BCS game in Brady Hoke's first year?! I never thought it could happen! Michigan would be playing the only other undefeated team. Whether Houston is a big name team, no one else aside from the team playing LSU can make that claim. I'm pumped, very excited to see my team playing in an elite bowl game. So, where is your team playing, again??
ted
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:15 p.m.
I'm sorry GoBigBlue but Houston is not a challenge. They need a real one where they can prove themselves to possible recruits, themselves, their fans,people outside of the program and everyone else. If this is a match-up that proves to be true , I see it as a very big opportunity missed. A win against Houston will prove nothing. Hopefully things will change and Michigan will end up playing a real team.
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 1:37 a.m.
By the way, what makes you the "expert" on who is a challenge? Houston is good enough to be rated by several "experts" and computers as a top ten team, which is higher than any team in the B10. If UM is fortunate enough to get selected for a BCS bowl against Houston and actually win, I will feel they have beaten a worthy team that no one else was able to beat. That would be an awesome accomplishment and top off an already fantastic season, imo.
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 1:11 a.m.
Michigan has already PROVEN they can go 10-2 (6-2 B10), win ultra-exciting games against name competition (Ohio, ND), and blow the doors off everyone else they've played including NEBRASKA!!! UM is not out to PROVE anything...they are out to win a BCS bowl game (if they are selected).
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
A win in the Sugar Bowl would be huge! Maybe you don't think so, but those elite recruits will!
ted
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:06 p.m.
does not matter if people think I am a Michigan fan or not. My point still stands. Face the fact. This game is a disappointment. NO-ONE outside of Michigan and Houston are going to watch this game.
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 1:04 a.m.
Your subjective opinion is not a fact. People outside of both fan bases will watch it if for no other reason than it will be the only game on TV at the time and college football fans will want to watch a game. I also saw a show on ESPNU where they were predicting the BCS bowl matchups and when one of the 'experts' predicted this matchup, both of the 'experts' agreed that it would be an exciting game with two high-powered offenses. So, in order to keep your argument factual, stick to facts...at least if you're going to claim what you say is a fact...which it isn't.
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:14 p.m.
Hang in there, bro. Maybe you should write a strongly-worded letter to the BCS and the Sugar Bowl administrators? I think Michigan fans will be pretty excited to play in a BCS bowl, should Michigan get the invite, regardless of who does and doesn't watch. It's going to boost our already excellent recruiting, that's what I'M excited about. Face the fact. Is your team eating Little Caesar's for Christmas or are they the team that's not smelling roses for New Year's? I know I'll be watching both consolation bowls, holding in my laughter the best I can. : )
GoBigBlue
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:08 p.m.
It's not a fact.
ted
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 7:16 p.m.
Who is going to want to watch Houston vs Michigan , besides the respective team's fans ? NO-ONE ! This game is a waste of time .
GoBigBlue
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:05 p.m.
Dude relax. I'm fairly certain plenty of people will tune in to see Keenum, who throws 10 Td passes a game, lead an unbeaten team into this game. Michigan is on there way back and this would be an awesome challenge.
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
Where is your team playing, Ted? (Spoiler Alert: NO-ONE! believes you're a Michigan fan.)
ted
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
The Houston match-up IS an absolute disappointment. It provides no gauge on how good Michigan really is.At this point that is what they need. to go in to next year with. Besides Michigan and Houston fans no-one is going to want to watch this game? Also they are matching up Virginia Tech with the Big East champ(who stinks). Another bad game. It should be Michigan vs Virginia Tech. Who do you think the Michigan players would rather play? The BCS continues to provide uninteresting match-ups year in and year out that no-one wants to see.
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 1:31 a.m.
By the way, doesn't going 10-2 (6-2 B10) provide some gauge on "how good Michigan really is?" What about coming from 17 down to beat ND and blowing the doors off of Nebraska (both of whom crushed MSU, by the way)? How about ending the streak against Ohio when they finally had all of their top talent back? Michigan already has a "gauge" on how good they are, and if they are fortunate enough to be selected for a BCS game, the opponent will be of high quality, regardless of your opinion on the matter.
azwolverine
Mon, Nov 28, 2011 : 1:17 a.m.
Interesting how they get such high TV ratings for games "no-one wants to see."
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
If Michigan beats Houston in the Sugar Bowl, they won't be remembered as the "Team that beat Houston," but "The 2012 Sugar Bowl Champions." I'm all right with that, just hoping the team doesn't lose their hunger. Go Blue!
10dz
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 6:26 p.m.
go blue!!
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 5:12 p.m.
<a href="http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls" rel='nofollow'>http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls</a> They're predicting Michigan vs. Houston in the Sugar Bowl. Mark Schlabach is projecting Ohio Buckeyes to play in the Little Caesars bowl against the Ohio Bobcats, lol. I love it. I'll take the Bobcats by 10. Pizza, Pizza, Buckeyes! Maybe they'll give you complimentary crazy bread!
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 7:53 p.m.
Haha, I can understand that. New Orleans is eight and a half hours from Austin, which I'd gladly drive to see Michigan play in the BCS. I'll take ANY BCS game though. Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping Wisconsin avenges their loss to the Spartans, stealing MSU's BCS hopes away. Their whining will be epic!
azwolverine
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
I want UM in the Fiesta! I live 20 minutes from the stadium...oh well, I'll take any BCS game, I would have liked to go, though. Shouldn't the BCS take my needs into consideration?
ted
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 4:52 p.m.
If the bowl projections are true,( Michigan vs Houston) then this is a very big disappointment. I want to see what Michigan can do against a quality team. IE... V. tech, Stanford, Oklahoma st.. Getting this BCS at large birth has now turned out to be a curse and waste of time. I would rather Michigan get a non BCS and get an interesting match up against a quality opponent.
MRunner73
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 6 p.m.
Try to think BCS before the oppenent. Remember Wisc vs TCU last year (Jan). That was a lose-lose deal for the Badgers and they lost on the scoreboard. I would like to see another Michigan victory, against Houston or anybody in January. Let's face it, they play football in that Lone Star state.
edjasbord
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.
A BCS bowl game is "a curse and a waste of time"? This isa very selfish perspective - what about the players? What about recruiting? Going to a BCS game does way more for the program and recruiting than a lower tier game against a more flashy opponent. We will be able to say forever that in 2011 we went to a BCS bowl game. Add another BCS appearance to the list. Its more prestigious. Oh, and again, then there are the players, who get more out of a BCS game. Sorry you might not enjoy it as much as you hope - for you are the most important part of the whole program.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.
@goldenblue: It may please you (and everyone) to know that, during last night's Stanford / Notre Dame game, long-time ABC sports announcer Brent Musberger actually said: "And what about Brady Hoke, is he the (next) Coach of the Year or what?!" But just like every Michigan fan, yesterday's close game was hard on my heart. But I still have mixed feelings about that kind of game: I can't decide whether these last minute victories are going to kill me or whether they are part of the Michigan-Ohio "tradition." Fact check: someone posted online that the 40-point win over Ohio was the most points scored on Ohio since 1946. Is that true, an interpretation, or an exaggeration?
buckalum
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 4:40 p.m.
As an OSU alum, I've got to say congrats and "welcome back". I'll preface this by saying I don't like UM. But, I RESPECT the heck out of the university and football tradition. Something is still out of whack in the world, though, when in the first Big Ten championship game we see MSU and Wisconsin playing, while the two flagship programs of the conference are at home (and us at 6-6). Let's get back to the good old days of the big 2 and little 8 (or 9 now)!! This conference is best when the only two programs that matter rule the roost!
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
When Urban Meyer arrives, I think we'll see more than a few Top-10 ranked Michigan vs. Ohio match-ups, followed by a rematch the following week. I'm excited.
MRunner73
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 5:55 p.m.
Thanks for showing respect and I feel the same way after a close and narrow Michigan victory. OSU gave it all out there. Michigan played like they wanted it so it was hard fought to the end. I don't mind other teams contending for the B1G. It will make both Michigan and OSU better. Better get used to Sparty and the Badgers for a while.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 5:03 p.m.
We (Ohio and Michigan) will get back there. No doubt about that. :-)
Steve
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 4:24 p.m.
As a retired teacher, I see how Brady Hoke works so well with his players---as a concerned TEACHER. He builds them up and gives them the skills, character and confidence to play as a TEAM. It shows just how important the coach/teacher is. We sometimes forget that these are young men just out of high school. We now have a great coach---and great players will want to come to U of M to be led by Hoke and his team of excellent coaches.
glimmertwin
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 4:09 p.m.
Amazing that this is the same defense from last year - with a couple of new young players. Makes me see exactly how poorly coached last year's defensive team was. This season it was just as fun watching the defense as it was the offense.
ellipsec01
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.
Thank you Michigan Football for a wonderful year. Thank you David B. for bringing Coach Hoke to A2. But most of all, THANK YOU Coach Hoke for delivering this year. GO BLUE!
azwolverine
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
These seniors should be very proud of themselves and what they've accomplished. After three years with the previous coach, they had an overall record of 15-22. Now, with this win over ohio, this group actually has a WINNING RECORD, 25-24, for their careers'. They epitomize the saying, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions." They may not have won a B10 championship, but this group ultimately became champions of "The Game" by defeating ohio and, more importantly, champions in life with the lessons they've learned in perseverance, unity, and dedication to a task. Great Job, Seniors! You are true Michigan Men and have earned the respect of Michigan fans and alumni everywhere. Go Blue!!!
um_61
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 3:27 p.m.
I have not seen a UM football game with that intensity for many years. Congratulations to all UM faithfuls. Could anyone explain to me: Why the Pen State defense was able to contain the Ohio offense in the Ohio home field and the UM defense could not in the UM home field?
edjasbord
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.
Um, playing Penn State and playing UM are two different ballgames. A fan of UM or OSU should know that. Emotions, drive, intensity matter a great deal, its not just the numbers.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
I wonder the same thing. But maybe it was just because Ohio (and Coach Fickell) were determined not to be humiliated in Michigan Stadium. There's no doubt they've had a lot of humiliations this season and Fickell seems to think that game would be his last. Also: Michigan's D has been vulnerable to post routes all season: and Ohio obviously exploited that a number of times. The defense had more trouble getting to the Ohio QB, too - and he is a brute, bigger than most mobile QBs.
NC Wolverine 20
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 2:05 p.m.
The forfeit does not give us a win, but it does mean that the Bucknut streak is 6 games (not 7). 733 days since Ohio's last victory over UM.
tulsatom
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
One less publicized way in which Brady Hoke has made a big difference for this team is in the way he handles his players during moments of adversity. When Hagerup mishandled the snap and muffed the punt at a key point in the game, Hoke didn't berate him on the sidelines like the previous U-M coach would've done and how the current Notre Dame coach does with his players. Instead, Hoke patted Hagerup on the helmet and offered words of encouragement. He could've unloaded and vented his frustration on Hagerup, which wouldn't have accomplished anything except to make Hagerup feel worse than he already did and wound his self-confidence for the next time he had to kick a field goal. Hoke instead offered encouragement and showed he is more concerned about his players than he is about wins and losses, which ironically is one of the main reasons why U-M has more wins this year and why a lot of the top recruits in the country want to play for U-M now. They see evidence that he is a good guy as well as being a good coach. This same coaching philosophy is also why Gibbons has improved so much as a field goal kicker this year. Brady Hoke has made the team better in a lot of ways, none more important than the way in which he handles his players, which is somethiing that flies under the radar to a lot of people but it is every bit as important as the other things fans can see.
edjasbord
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 5:11 p.m.
You are right - this is one of the under-appreciated qualities Hoke has as a leader of young men. We saw this all season. Someone should put together a video comparing RR's reactions after player mistakes and Hoke's reactions. RR acted like an immature tyrant of a boss, Hoke like a mature leader. And the results showed.
tulsatom
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 2:40 p.m.
Sorry. I meant to say, "the next time he had to punt" instead of "the next time he had to kick a field goal" since Hagerup is a punter.
Ron501
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
Excellent post. Caring in the model of LLoyd Carr and Bo.
goldenblue
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.
Coach of the year BRADY HOKE!
knotch
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
I thought I might have a heart attach when Blue was called or two penalties after UM scored...Pushed back to the 25 yrd line after being less that a football away. This was almost to much to take..... visions of UM 4the and seven inches at spartan stadium. This though, A very different team. With the forfeit and this on the field win....Blu has a two game winning streak
RudeJude
Sun, Nov 27, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
Ohio has not won two years in a row, but we still lost last year...look at our record book if you need verification. Two non-wins in a row for Ohio!