The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com r December 2, 2013- 3B Th MihgnDiy-mciadiyo pr odyDcme ,03 GAME STATISTICS Five Things We Learned: Ohio State Tam Stats FistDowns Passing Yards Offensive Plays Total Offense Kickreturs/yds Punts/Avg Fumbles/Lost Peatie/Yards Time ofPossesso Michigan 31 35/152 41 82 603 6/116 0/0 32/47/0 3/44.0 0-0 4-35 33:21 0 hio State 23 46/393 133 61 526 1/16 1/0 6/15/1 3/44.7 0-0 3-25 26:39 Int 0 0 0 M _ C H M IHG A N PASSING PAyeN C-A Yds TD Gardner 32-45 451 4 TEAM 0-1 0 0 Galln 0- 0 0 RUSHING Playe Att Yds Av8 Lg SmlithR 2 10 5. 38 Green 12 47 3.9 13 Toussaint 5 33 6.6 16 Gardner 9 10 1.1 14 Funchess 2 5 2.5 6 Totals 35 178 4.3 38 Pl No. Yds Avg Lg Gallon 9 175 19.4 84 Butt 5 85 17.0 37 Tossaint 4 4 120 9 Funchess 4 41 10.3 22 Kerridge 2 10 5.0 7 Ryod 1 13 130 1 Hayes 1 9 9.0 9 Totals 32 451 141 84 PUNTING Player No. Yds Avg Wile 3 132 44.0 Totals 3 132 440 KICKOFF RETURNS Player No. Yds Avg Lg No leet 6 16 93 2 PUNT RETURNS Player No. Yds Avg Lg TD 0 0 1 1 0 2 TD 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 L9 55 55 By ZACH HELFAND Daily Sports Editor 1. This isn't Bo and Woody's rivalry Three years into the Ten Year War, Bo Schembechler faced a choice much like Brady Hoke's on Saturday. This time, the script was reversed. Schembechler's team was undefeated. A tie would send it to the Rose Bowl. Late in the game, down three points, Schembechler had two consecutive plays from Ohio State's 1-yard line. Earlier in the game, Woody Hayes's Ohio State defense stuffed Michigan on four straight runs on the goal line. But on third down, Schem- bechier called another run up the middle. No gain. So on fourth down, he faced a choice: a tie and the Rose Bowl berth, or go for it for the win. Schembechler went for it, another run up the middle. No gain again. It was a situation much like Michigan's failed two-point attempt on Saturday. That's where the similarities end. Schembechler and Hayes prob- ably wouldn't have recognized this weekend's iteration of The Game. Michigan's 41 points were the most ever scored by the los- ing team in this rivalry. During the Ten Year War, the most points scored by the losing team was 14. Michigan scored that many points before the first quarter ended. The modern version of The Game is a high-scoring, offense- dominated affair. Here's a sam- pling of some of the many records broken in Michigan's 42-41 loss Saturday: - The combined 1,129 total yards are the most ever accumu- lated in the rivalry. For Michi- gan, it's the sixth-most combined yards against any team. - The combined score of 83 points is second only to Michi- gan's 86-0 win over Ohio State in 1902. ADAM GLANZMAN/Daily Sophomore tight end Devin Funchess and the MiChigan football team's leaping, high-scoringgame with Ohio State was unprecented in the history oftthe rivalry. g TD 9 0 TD - This was the rivalry's first one-point game since 1926, when Michigan won 17-16 in Columbus. * Redshirt junior quarterback Devin Gardner's 451 yards is the highest passing total against the Buckeyes in Michigan history, breaking Tom Brady's record of 375 in 1998. Only Gardner's 503 passing yards against Indiana this year surpasses Saturday's mark. - Gardner's 32 completions is Michigan's highest completion total against Ohio State, again breaking Brady's record of 31 in 1998. It's two completions shy of the overall Michigan record. " Gardner's four touchdown passes are a Michigan record in this rivalry. - Fifth-year seniorwide receiv- er Jeremy Gallon's 175 receiv- ing yards are a Michigan record in the rivalry, passing Braylon Edwards's 172 yards in 2004. - Gallon's 84-yard screen pass and run is the longest Michigan play against Ohio State ever. - Ohio State's average of 8.6 yards per play is not only a Buck- eye record forThe Game, it is also the highest average of any Michi- gan opponent ever. * The Buckeyes' 393 rushing yards is their highest total against Michigan ever, breaking their mark of 381in 1995. - Ohio State's average of 8.5 yards per rush is the most in Ohio State history. - Michigan's 99-yard touch- down drive, of course, is a rivalry record, a program record and a national record, tied with many. This is not an exhaustive list. Michigan and Ohio State have met 110 times since 1897. The game Saturday is simply unprec- edented. 2. But the rivalry is as strong as ever. Let's talk about the fight. Three ejections, multiple punches, four flags on the ground. Then there was Hoke running onto the field, Marcus Hall's double-middle- finger salute to the Michigan Stadium crowd and Royce Jen- kins-Stone's helmet throw. It's nice to know that these teams still hate each other. "It's always a war," Gallon said after the game. "It's not even a game, it's awar." So the hate is still there, and the games are as good as ever. One byproduct of the offensive explosion in the modern era of The Game is that the play is more exciting. Ignoring the stakes, the 2013 version of the rivalry was the most thrilling game ever. The 1969 game was an improbable upset, but the 24-12 game was lackluster in comparison. The 2006 game was high-scoring and had national title implications, but Michigan couldn't get the ball to attempt a final drive. Ohio State has owned the series, recently, but it has also been symmetrically even. By John Cooper's final game, Ohio State had only won two of the last 13 meetings. Now, since Cooper, there have been 13 games. This time, Michigan has won only two. Ohio State claims a slight edge in that 26-year span, at 11-2 to Mich- igan's 10-2-1. And since Hoke has taken over? Ohio State has won two out of three, but the overall score is tied 102-102. 3. It's official, Gardner is hurt. Gardner had a gutsy, efficient performance against Ohio State. He also did it on one leg. After the game, he hobbled into his press conference wearing a boot on his left foot. Last week, Gardner appeared to hurt his right shoulder. Still, Gardner hasn't missed a snap because of injury. (He sat out late against Michigan State but likely would have gone if the game was in reach.) "He's beat up like everybody is," Hoke said. "And when he was limping a little bit, I said, 'I don't want to see you limp. Every guy out here can limp. We got to go play.' He did that, and I'm proud of him." 4. Pint-sized Gallon still has bar- rels of talent. Gallon had another typical day against the Buckeyes. He caught an 84-yard screen pass early in the game. Later, he made a char- acteristic leaping touchdown grab to put Michigan ahead 21-14. He finished with nine receptions. When the offensive line has given Gardner time, Gallon has been one of the most proficient Michigan receivers ever. He tied a Michigan record with a recep- tion in 38 straight games. He now has 1,284yards this season, which is second in program history and just 46 yards behind Edwards's record of 1,330. He is also fourth on Michigan's all-time receptions list with 164. 5. Bowl-d prediction: Still B-Dubs bound. The bold prediction in this same columnwas a spot for Mich- igan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Now that the regular sea- son is over, it's staying the same. Assuming Ohio State and Michigan State go to BCS bowls, that puts Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl and likely Iowa in the Outback Bowl. The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl picks next, and it will like- ly choose between Michigan, Nebraska and Minnesota. A week ago, the choice would've probably been Nebraska. But Michigan's strong showing in a loss this week could change things. Michigan beat Minnesota and travels well, so the Wolverines have the edge. Nebraska beat Michigan and finished two games ahead in the Legends Division, but the Cornhuskers finished a disappointing season with some calling for a coaching change. Michigan's game against the Buckeyes could convince some fans to head to Arizona, maybe enough to win over the bowl com- mittee. TACKLES Gordon Tay'or Morgan Gordon Heny Beyer Avery Black Clark Norfleet " Chalton AshI Totals Solo 5 5 4 3 4 2 3 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 37 Asst 1 1 2 2 0 2 3 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 16 Tot 6 6 6 5 4 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 7 53 0 h io 5 t at e 2 LITTLE From Page 1B The game appeared to be get- ting out of reach on the second drive of the second half, when Gardner fumbled on a third- down run and Ohio State recov- ered the ball near midfield. Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller scored his fourth touch- down of the day five plays later to give the Buckeyes a 28-21 lead. The Buckeyes ripping off huge chunks of yards on the ground was a theme of the day. Run- ning back Carlos Hyde bullied his way through the middle of the defense for 226 yards on 27 carries, good for 8.4 yards per carry. Miller underthrew three receivers in the first quarter and finished the game with just 133 passing yards, but ran for 153 yards and was responsible for five touchdowns. As a team, Ohio State ran for 393 yards on 46 carries - 8.5 yards per carry. Still, it was Hyde that gave Michigan a new chance when he fumbled near midfield half- way through the fourth quarter with the Wolverines down seven. Gardner then led a 13-play drive capped off by a touchdown pass to freshman tight end Jake Butt. But Ohio State's offense con- tinued to blast through the Mich- igan defense, going on a six play, 65-yard drive to regain the lead with just more than two minutes left in the game. Michigan scored on another Gardner touchdown pass, but the interception on the conversion sealed the game. "This is a special game," Hoke said. "It's the greatest rivalry there is in any sport. They know the importance of it. I liked their demeanor all week.... They were trying to get better and know their opponent. I was pleased with that and had a good feeling they were going to play they way they did today." With the loss, Michigan's record drops to 7-5 - the same record that former coach Rich Rodriguez finished with in his last season at Michigan before getting fired and the worst of Hoke's three-year tenure in Ann Arbor. PASSING Player Mller Totals RUSHING Player Hyde Mller Brown Hall TEAM Toas RECEIVING Player Smith Fields Toas PUNTING Johnston Totas C-A , Yds 6-15 133 6-15 133 TD Int 2 1 2 1 Aft 27 16 1 1 1 46 No. 2 1 1 1 1 6 Yds 226 153 12 4 -2 343 Avg 8.4 9.6 12.0 4.0 -2.0 a.5 2Avg 53.0 12.0 22 Lg 33 53 12 4 0 53 Lg 37 53 12 6 3 53 TD 1 3 0 0 0 4 TD 1 1 0 0 0 2 Yds 53 12 133 No. Yds Avg Lg 3 143 44.7 55 3 143 44.7 s5 KICKOFF RETURNS Player No. Yds Avg Lg TACKLES Player Solo Asst To Bamnett 5 6 11 Roby 5 3 8 Perry 2 5 7 Powell 2 2 4 Brown 5 0 s5 Bosa 3 2 5 Bennett 1 4 s5 Washington 2 1 3 Reevs 1 0 Hale 1 0 1 Marcus 1 0 1 Hall 1 0 1 Ball 1 0 1 Basi 1 Total 46 36 82 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ michigandaily DIZZYING From Page 1B Michigan's tunne was raw and ende real. It didn't ease th Hoke, whose eyes as the thousandsc fans in the Big Ho had come expecti snatching tickets gan fans who had abandoned hope. It didn't ease th Taylor Lewan, the senior offensive to nearly choked up< press confer- "I love every single one of these guys," said Lewan, whose last play at Michigan Stadium was the most wrenching. His voiced wavered. He turn( Ryan and tapped I with his fist. "He': friend." Hoke went for i "we wanted to go ball game," he sai for him. The walls closing in during t mare of a month.' underperformed - even - and some f for Hoke's job, ort offensive coordina of his offensive lin Michigan Athletic Dave Brandon had a statement of sup Hoke on Wednesd recruit chose thec and another said b reconsider Michig I. His pain aring and le pain for were as red of Buckeye -use. They ng a rout, from Michi- long ago e pain for fifth-year ackle, who during his He's worried about Hoke's job. But Hoke went for it. It was a rub route, the same one they practiced this week. Gardner in the shotgun, with Devin Funchess, Jeremy Gal- lon and Drew Dileo stacked to his right. Funchess ran a post, Gallon an out. It was supposed to create space for Dileo, the little, sure-handed receiver who always seems to be forgotten until the biggest moments. Dileo would surely make the catch, because he always does. But Tyvis Powell jumped the route. Dileo never had a chance. "I threw an interception to lose the game," "I threw an said Gardner, who put his interception chin on his fist in his press to lose the conference. He ,, hardly spoke game. above a mum- ble. "There's not really much else I can say." ed to Jake After the pass, Gardner Ryan's arm crumpled to the ground, spent. s my best He stayed there, his arms and legs extended out. That's t, because what you'll remember, because win the foot- that's the image that will last. d, and good This one hurts just like the loss have been last year, maybe even more. A his night- win wouldn't have cured the The team has offensive line or erased any - regressed losses. But it would've helped have called a lot. It would've erased some the job of his of the sting from a disappoint- ator or that ing season. It would've put to ie coach. rest any coaching rumors. So, Director yes, you'll remember Gardner Ito issue on the ground, because that's port for what matters, but don't forget ay. The star the rest. Don't forget how it other team made you believe, and Hoke he might too. It was a painful end, but an. Why? Michigan lived it well. Maybe you allowed yourself to think this will be a game after all, after the screen to Gallon on the first drive. The fight, Hoke running out to sep- arate his players, the punches and the double middle fingers made it personal. Hoke went for it because he wanted it as bad as his players. He wanted it as bad as Gard- ner, who threw a touchdown pass to Dileo down 14 in the fourth quarter. Afterward, Gardner tried to run off the field, limping so badly he nearly fell over on the sideline. Taylor Lewan came off limp- ing after that play too, and bloody again. Most of these players are playing through injury because they don't care how many losses they have. They just want to beat Ohio State. By the time Carlos Hyde fumbled, and the clock showed plenty of time, and Gardner was fighting with everything he had left and the breaks started turning Michigan's way, a ripple went through the stadium. Then Jake Butt scored and then Funchess, and then the timeout and it seemed like destiny. It was a hell of a death, but it was a hell of a game too, right up until the end. For the best three hours of the year, 7-4 Michigan was on top of the world. So Hoke went for it. It was ballsy, and it was risky, and it didn't work out. But that's what you do when what you want is right there to take. You go for it. You go for it every damn time. Helfand can be reached at zhelfand@umich.edu and on Twitter @zhelfand DEFENSE From Page 1B ing decision in the final minute included. In fact, the decision wasn't even Hoke's alone. Fifth-year senior offensive line- man Taylor Lewan, who also said he regretted nothing about his decision to return for another sea- son, mentioned that Hoke asked the seniors on the sideline during a timeout if they wanted to attempt the two-point conversion. And according to Lewan, the decision was unanimous. "I don't think there was one guy that said no," an extremely emo- tional Lewan said. "Every single person said yes. We're behind these coaches 100 percent. We fight for them and our brothers." In the back of their minds, or in Hoke's case, the front, was Michi- gan's inability to stop the run all afternoon. Buckeye running back Carlos Hyde set a program record for rushing yards against the Wol- verines with 229. Hyde consistent- ly found holes to run through up the middle. Quarterback Braxton Miller was equally untouchable, running for three touchdowns and an average of 9.6 yards per carry. Hoke knew that, should the game go into overtime, his team's chances of suddenly figuring out how to stop the Ohio State ground game were likely slim. He liked the rejuvenated offense's chances of picking up the necessary three yards better. Not to mention, the team was without fifth-year senior kicker Brendan Gibbons, who tweaked something in practice Tuesday, according to Hoke. Filling in was junior Matt Wile, who was per- fect on five extra-point attempts, though a couple of them were shaky. By now you know the rest of the story: the redshirt junior Gard- ner's pass, intended for senior wide receiver Drew Dileo, was intercepted, and the game was lost in regulation. And even though a reporter informed Hoke that, in an infor- mal poll, 75 percent of fans agreed with his decision to go for two ("Great, now I'm really screwed," Hoke deadpanned back), had the defense shown an ability to get a stop, the game would have continued into overtime. Half of the Buckeyes' possessions ended in the end zone, all but two of those touchdowns coming on the ground. "We need to definitely improve our running game," said redshirt junior linebacker Jake Ryan. "That was one thing that stuck out." The Buckeyes had difficultly completing passes, going 6-for-15 through the air, but went uncon- tested on the ground, consistently entering the second level en route to 393 total rushing yards. But the decision to go for two wasn't solely made because Hoke lacked confidence in the defense's ability to stop, or at least slow downy the Ohio State backfield threats. "We play the game to .win," Hoke said. "I thought about it, and we (decided to)." Added Gardner: "We felt like we could win the game rightthere." To the surprise of most every- body, they could have. And so, in some ways, it felt like the Wol- verines were playing with house money. In 1968, after scoring a mean- ingless two-point conversion after a rout of Michigan, former Ohio State coach Woody Hayes, asked about the decision, famously said he made it "because I couldn't go for three." Unlike with Hayes's, though, Hoke's bold decision had nothing to lose and everything to gain.