This was Meyer-Harbaugh I, but it felt like Tressel/Meyer-Carr/Rodriguez/Hoke X, an Ohio State domination that sent O-H-I-O chants ringing around the stadium in the closing moments and Buckeye songs of victory echoing in the concourse when it was over. He moves to third in Michigan’s all time season receiving yards by a tight end. Meanwhile, Michigan could force a three-way tie for the Big Ten East Division title and secure a trip to Indianapolis for the title game with a win and a Michigan State loss. “We kind of knew that”. Michigan’s resurgence under first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh continued with a hard-fought 28-16 victory over Penn State to finish undefeated on the road in conference play for the first time since 1997.
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So the task now is to rest up and prepare for the bowl game – and wonder whether that contest will be the final one in a Penn State uniform for Christian Hackenberg. However, the PSU offense was much more aggressive today than they had been most of the season, including converting several fourth downs (including two touchdowns to Godwin).
Meanwhile, Ohio State was looking the weakest it has all season.
The Buckeyes did all they could to make their case against MI. Elliott ran for 214 yards to go with J.T. Barrett’s 139 rushing yards to combine for five rushing touchdowns.
Elliott offered a lengthy apology in the postgame press conference and almost worked himself into tears.
Elliott’s performance came a week after he was held to 12 carries for 33 yards against the Spartans, then criticized the team’s play calling and said he will skip his senior season to enter the National Football League draft.
MI (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten) kept it close early and was down only 14-10 at halftime. Hackenberg completed 11 passes – two of them for touchdowns – to Chris Godwin and eight to DaeSean Hamilton.
Michigan State left no doubt.
“He should be in New York”, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said of Elliott and his Heisman Trophy chances. “The biggest issue for us – we’ve been at our best when we get pressure on the quarterback, whether that’s from blitzing or from a four down (linemen) rush and playing coverage behind it”. I don’t know the other players, but I am fortunate to be around him. “You have to play your best ball in November and leading into December and then on after that”.
In the fourth quarter with Michigan State already ahead 48-16, the Spartans were inside the 10-yard line. Here, it’s having one point more than your opponent.
And the Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) took it out on the Wolverines (9-3, 6-2) on a cold and blustery afternoon in front of 111,829 spectators. Ezekiel Elliott got plenty of touches this week and the Buckeyes ran all over the Wolverines 42-13.
Iowa may be the first 12-0 team in history who has been able to play that card almost every week of the season.
Rudock was injured by former high school teammate Joey Bosa early in the fourth quarter and was replaced by Wilton Speight. Rudock and Bosa played together at St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
He wasn’t sure until late in the week he would even play, but having time in the pocket was crucial as he was 19-for-26 for 248 yards and three touchdowns.
J.W. Walsh passed for 325 yards and two scores, and James Washington caught seven passes for 169 yards for the Cowboys (10-2, 7-2, No. 11 CFP). “I would never do anything to hurt this university or distract this team”, he said.
The Lions have a lot of ground to cover before winning the division. “More ground to make up”.
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The picture compared Smith’s resumé to that of MI passing game coordinator and receivers coach Jedd Fisch, asking prospects which coach they would rather trust their future with.
