Rod Moore came up with a game-sealing interception to wrap No. 3 Michigan’s 30-24 win in Ann Arbor against No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday afternoon.
The Wolverines led 27-24 after Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. caught his first touchdown of the game on a 14-yard pass thrown by quarterback Kyle McCord.
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Quarterback J.J. McCarthy was then tasked with earning Michigan some insurance points.
McCarthy led the Wolverines on a 13-play, seven-minute drive that ended with kicker James Turner making a 37-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 30-24 with 1:00 left.
McCord made two completions to receivers Harrison and Julian Fleming, and the latter fumbled the ball before Emeka Egbuka dove for the recovery.
One play later, McCord dropped back and looked over the middle, only for his pass attempt to fall into the arms of Moore, his second interception of the season.
The interception sealed Michigan’s third-consecutive win over Ohio State, earning the Wolverines their third-straight trip to Indianapolis to compete in the Big Ten Championship game against No. 17 Iowa next week.
Michigan defensive back Will Johnson picked off McCord with 7:32 left in the first quarter, and the Wolverines cashed in their takeaway as running back Blake Corum scored on 4th and goal to go up 7-0.
McCarthy threaded the needle on the very next drive. He found receiver Roman Wilson in a window between Ohio State defensive backs Denzel Burke and Malik Hartford for a 24-yard touchdown.
The score capped a 14-play, 75-yard drive. Michigan led 14-3.
The Buckeyes responded with their first touchdown of the game. McCord connected with Egbuka on a 3-yard touchdown to bring the game to 14-10 in the middle of the second quarter.
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Ohio State missed a field goal to try and bring itself closer before halftime. The Buckeyes outgained Michigan 378 yards to 338, but lost the turnover battle 2-0 and allowed the Wolverines to go 4-for-4 on fourth down.
McCarthy finished 16-of-20 for 148 yards and a touchdown. Corum had 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
McCord went 18-for-30 for 271 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Harrison had a game-high 118 receiving yards.
