Sunday, November 25, 2001
Ohio State 26, Michigan 20
Wells scores 3 TDs as Buckeyes upset Wolverines
The Associated Press
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jim Tressel gave Ohio State fans exactly what he promised the day he was hired, beating Michigan and making the Buckeyes faithful proud.
Jonathan Wells ran for 129 yards and three touchdowns as the Buckeyes built a 23-point halftime lead and held off the 11th-ranked Wolverines 26-20 Saturday.
Ohio State (7-4, 5-3) prevented Michigan (8-3, 6-2) from sharing the Big Ten title and playing in the Fiesta, Sugar or Orange bowls. The victory was Ohio State's first in Michigan Stadium since 1987 and third in the rivalry since its last win in Ann Arbor.
“They've been disrespecting us,” Wells said. “They said we're not the rivalry team they play. If it wasn't a rivalry, it is now.”
The victory validated Tressel, who pointed to this game on the day he was hired, when he said, “I can assure you that you'll be proud of our young people — in the classroom and in the community, and most especially, in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Mich.”
Earle Bruce was the most recent Ohio State coach to win his first game against Michigan, in 1979, and he also was the most recent Buckeyes coach to win in Michigan Stadium, in 1987, his final game.
John Cooper was fired last year in part because of his 2-10-1 record against the Wolverines.
“As we all know, playing Michigan can be a career-stopping game,” said Ohio State's Mike Doss, a Thorpe Award semifinalist, who made his eighth and ninth interceptions of the season.
Michigan scored touchdowns with 10:02 and 2:26 left, but it couldn't do enough to pull off the largest come-from-behind victory in program history.
Tressel was asked what the final 15 minutes of the game felt like.
“Like 310 days,” he said.
Illinois won the outright Big Ten title and will represent the conference in the Bowl Championship Series at the Fiesta, Sugar or Orange bowl.
The Wolverines might play in the Florida Citrus Bowl for the third time in four years, and the Buckeyes could play in the Outback Bowl.
Wells, who left the game with leg cramps midway through the third, rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries in the first half.
Craig Krenzel, in his first career start, was 11-of-18 for 118 yards and an interception. He replaced Steve Bellisari, who was arrested for drunken driving just over a week ago. Bellisari was at the game in uniform, after a three-day suspension, but he didn't leave the sideline.
Michigan's John Navarre was 21-of-47 for 206 yards with two touchdowns, a fumble and four interceptions. He has thrown 10 interceptions in the past five games.
“You can't turn the ball over five times and beat anybody, especially a good football team,” Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said.
Michigan teased its fans into thinking a remarkable comeback was possible on the opening possession of the sec ond half.
Navarre threw a 21-yard TD to Marquise Walker, which made it 23-7, on the opening possession of the second half.
Doss' second interception, which he returned 36 yards to Michigan's 9, set up Mike Nugent's 33-yard field goal to pad Ohio State's lead to 26-13 with 5:58 left.
Navarre's first interception set up the Buckeyes' first score.
Derek Ross caught a tipped pass and returned it 35 yards to Michigan's 4. After Wells broke a tackle behind the line, he sprinted to the outside untouched for his 1-yard TD.
On a fourth-and-1 from Michigan's 46, Wells slithered through a hole and then ran untouched to put Ohio State ahead 14-0 early in the second quarter.
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Ohio State 26, Michigan 20
