OSU-Michigan Game 1: Michigan D Gets Run Over in 49-24 final .:. grubbykid.com

OSU-Michigan Game 1: Michigan D Gets Run Over in 49-24 final

I have some pretty crazy Ohio State Buckeye friends, and one of them ~~Ben B's~~ THEbenbowser, is playing the OSU-Michigan match up (this weekend) every day on NCAA 2007 on his Xbox 360. We will be bringing you daily updates of each game, filled with highlights. Check back every day, for new games.

O-H!! I-O!!

Gonzalez scores on a 100 yard kickoff return.

Columbus, OH. – The Michigan Wolverines came roaring out of the gates in the game of the century, but their vaunted run defense, which had previously held opponents to under 30 yards per game, was exposed by a faster, stronger Buckeye offensive line on their way to a 49-24 victory.

“We got to the point of attack quicker than we have all season," admitted Troy Smith, who cemented his Heisman-winning credentials with his third straight win over the Buckeyes’ rivals. Smith led the high-octane Buckeye attack, but not with his cannon arm. An efficient 7-for-9 effort and 171 passing yards took backseat to a ground game that chewed up 262 yards on the ground.

Smith fumbles on the sack.

Buckeye tailback Antonio Pittman added to his growing resume with 196 yards as he repeatedly got around the corner for long gains, scoring 3 touchdowns on runs of 59, 68, and 41 yards. Pittman’s final tally came on the opening drive of the second half as the Buckeyes seized any momentum Michigan might have hoped to gain coming out of the locker room.

After marching down the field on the opening drive, Michigan’s drive stalled at the 21-yard line as the Buckeye defense settled down and stuffed Mike Hart on consecutive plays, forcing the Wolverines to kick. Troy Smith and his offense then showed their appreciation by finding a wide-open Anthony Gonzalez down the left-sideline for a 60 yard score, covering 78 yards in just 3 plays. Gonzalez would add another 41 yard score to go along with his Ohio Stadium record 100 yard kickoff return.

After the Wolverines went three-and-out, Pittman began his historic day by taking an option pitch from Smith and racing 59 yards untouched down the left sideline. Pittman repeated the feat on the Buckeye’s next drive by racing 68 yards down the right sideline on a 1-play touchdown drive.

“It feels good to get out there on the edge and see daylight," remarked a grinning Pittman after the game. “Those guys got after it," said Pittman, referring to his large, blocking brethren. “When you’re going outside, those guys have got to pull, and they did. They got out there fast…before any blue helmets."

Buckeye freshman Chris Wells added to the ground attack with a 54 yard touchdown run of his own. He put his fumbling problems behind him and repeatedly ground out first downs on short yardage situations for the Buckeye attack. Fumbling was still more of a problem than head coach Jim Tressel would like it to be. Leading 21-3, Smith was sacked and the ball popped loose into the hands of Michigan end Lamar Woodley as he rumbled 51 yards to get the Wolverines back in striking distance at 21-10. Pittman added another fumble late in the 4th quarter as the Buckeyes were trying to run out the clock. “We’ve got to stop mistakes like that," Tressel intoned. “We’ve very lucky to have lost the turnover battle and still come out on top."

Henne gets hit by Quinn Pitcock.

The Buckeye defense was led by Marcus Freeman’s 8 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 passes defended. His efforts contributed to holding the Wolverines to just 26 yards on the ground and an 0-for-8 effort on third downs. The Buckeye front four also caused havoc for quarterback Chad Henne, repeatedly forcing him to make hurried throws. Quinn Pitcock and Vernon Gholston, aided by Curtis Terry, constantly stormed the Wolverine backfield from the left side, forcing the Wolverine attack to become left-handed.

Henne dumped in the 4th quarter by Marcus Freeman.

After getting down early, the Wolverine offense was forced to play catch-up through the air. Ohio-native Mario Manningham did his best by repeatedly getting open for 142 yards and a touchdown. Steve Breaston added a late touchdown catch and repeatedly set up the Wolverines in good field as the Buckeyes had a hard time containing him on kick returns.

Comments

Brutus B says:

The last thing THE Ben B needs is any more encouragement. Go Bucks!

Posted by: Brutus B at November 14, 2006 1:07 PM #

sweetchuck says:

I agree with Brutus. Don't encourage this guy, unless it's to make friends or take up a new hobby.

Also - how do you choose what to link to? I find it very curious that you'd bother linking to the official xbox360 site (a microsoft product, who you dislike immensely), and yet you don't link to anything buckeyes or ohio state (whom you like and grew up around)?

Posted by: sweetchuck at November 14, 2006 5:59 PM #

the grubbykid.com says:

You know, after all the work The Ben B did on this, and the relatively small work I did to put this on the web, your comment focuses on who I link to and to "not encourage him" is pretty funny.