Ohio State vs. Michigan: Score, Grades and Analysis

No. 3 Ohio State survived a scare against archrival Michigan in the Big House on Saturday, remaining unbeaten and keeping its national championship hopes alive.

Keyed by Braxton Miller's five-touchdown performance, the Buckeyes overcame a 21-14 second-quarter deficit to emerge with a 42-41 victory in "The Game."

During that second quarter, a brawl broke out. Right guard Marcus Hall and running back Dontre Wilson were ejected for OSU, while Michigan lost backup linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone. 

The dramatic finish was highlighted by the Wolverines' failed two-point conversation attempt in the waning moments that would have put them ahead with 32 seconds to play.

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Ohio State (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten)	14	7	14	7	42
Michigan (7-5, 3-5 Big Ten)	14	7	0	20	41

Michigan got off to a promising start on offense, as Jeremy Gallon turned a simple screen pass into an 84-yard gain. The big play would set up a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback Devin Gardner.

Miller quickly answered, connecting with Devin Smith for a 53-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing drive. 

The pattern would continue over the final five minutes of the quarter. Miller matched another Michigan score with a 53-yard TD scamper.

With the intensity at an all-time high at the start of the second quarter, tempers flared. A scuffle broke out on the field, resulting in the three aforementioned players being ejected, two of them key contributors for the Buckeyes.

The incident would set the tone for the rest of the half. Both defenses tightened up, surrendering a combined 14 points in the second quarter. 

The key moment for Ohio State came late in the first half, when Miller led a pivotal seven-play, 91-yard drive to even up the score heading into the locker room. It was Miller's second touchdown run of the day.

Credit: ABC Broadcast

In the third quarter, the Buckeyes capitalized on a Gardner fumble to start their drive on their own 44-yard line. Miller notched his fourth touchdown of the day on a run from three yards out. 

With Michigan driving and poised to enter Ohio State territory, the questionable fumble call proved to be the turning point in the game. 

After Michigan turned it over on downs, Miller added his fifth touchdown of the game to give Ohio State a 14-point lead heading into the final period. 

But just when Ohio State looked poised to cruise in the fourth, a hobbled Gardner led the Wolverines on back-to-back touchdown drives to tie the game at 35 with five minutes to play. Michigan's 14-0 run was aided by a Carlos Hyde fumble.

Here's a look at Gardner's clutch touchdown pass to Jake Butt that tied the game for the fourth time:

Credit: ABC Broadcast

Unfortunately for Big Blue, Miller once again had an answer as he led the Buckeyes right down the field for the go-ahead score. Hyde's only touchdown run of the day would prove to be the most significant. It gave Ohio State a seven-point lead with just over two minutes to play.

But with a buzzing home crowd behind them, the Wolverines put together an impressive drive of their own to score in the final minute. Having already surrendered over 600 total yards, head coach Brady Hoke made the call of the game, opting to attempt a two-point conversation and go for the win. 

In what turned out to be biggest defensive play of the game, Gardner's shot to the end zone was denied by Ohio State's defense, and the Buckeyes held on for a one-point win. 

Everett Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provides this quote from Michigan tackle Taylor Lewan:

Key Player Grades

Braxton Miller, Ohio State, QB: A+

Unsurprisingly, Braxton Miller was the best player on the field on Saturday. The junior signal-caller found different ways to beat Michigan's defense and delivered when the Buckeyes needed him most.

There's no better example of that then when he led Ohio State on a critical game-tying drive late in the first half. His 21-yard touchdown run gave the Buckeyes confidence heading into the locker room.

Devin Gardner, Michigan, QB: A

Devin Gardner played extremely well on Saturday, accounting for five total touchdowns. But he didn't get enough help from his teammates for Michigan to upend one of the best teams in the country.

Gardner, who was banged-up down the stretch and limping, made several big plays to keep the Wolverines in the game.

Carlos Hyde, Ohio State, RB: A-

Like Miller, Carlos Hyde was his usual dominant self on Saturday, rushing for 226 yards to become the first Buckeyes running back since Beanie Wells in 2007 to surpass the 200-yard mark against Michigan.

Hyde did his damage on 27 carries, at an 8.4 yards-per-carry clip. 

What's Next?

The undefeated Buckeyes will have a week to gear up for their Big Ten Championship Game showdown with Michigan State in Indianapolis. Ohio State will need to win in order to preserve its already slim national championship hopes.

Meanwhile, Michigan will have an extended break before concluding the season with a bowl matchup.

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