introduction to ohio state buckeyes football vs michigan wolverines football match player stats
If you’re searching for Ohio State Buckeyes football vs Michigan Wolverines football match player stats, here’s the short version: Ohio State beat Michigan 27-9 on November 29, 2025, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, and quarterback Julian Sayin threw three touchdown passes to lead the Buckeyes to victory. Below, you’ll find every key stat line from the game — passing, rushing, receiving, and defense — broken down player by player.
This matchup, known simply as “The Game,” is one of the most storied rivalries in college football. The 2025 edition lived up to the hype, with Ohio State snapping a four-game losing streak in the series and clinching a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Quick Game Summary
- Final Score: Ohio State 27, Michigan 9
- Date: November 29, 2025
- Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Attendance: 111,373
- Records After Game: Ohio State (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten), Michigan (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten)
- Significance: Michigan’s first loss in The Game since 2019, ending a four-game win streak against the Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines Football Match Player Stats: Team Totals
Before diving into individual numbers, it helps to see how the teams stacked up overall. Ohio State controlled nearly every phase of the game.
| Team Stat | Ohio State | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 419 | 163 |
| Rushing Yards | 186 | 100 |
| Passing Yards | 233 | 63 |
| Third-Down Conversions | 10-of-17 | 1-of-9 |
| Fourth-Down Conversions | 2-of-3 | 0-of-0 |
Michigan’s 163 total yards marked its lowest offensive output of the entire 2025 season, a clear sign of how dominant Ohio State’s defense was throughout the afternoon.
Why the Third-Down Numbers Mattered
Ohio State converting 10-of-17 third downs, including a stretch of 6-of-7 on one drive, let the Buckeyes control the clock. That drive alone burned nearly 12 minutes off the game clock in the second half, which kept Michigan’s offense off the field when it needed possessions most.
Ohio State Player Stats: Passing, Rushing, and Receiving
Julian Sayin – Quarterback
Julian Sayin had the best game of his young career at the position that matters most in this rivalry.
- Passing: 19-of-26 for 233 yards
- Touchdowns: 3 passing touchdowns
- Interceptions: 1 (thrown on his second attempt of the game)
Sayin’s biggest plays came at critical moments. He connected with Jeremiah Smith on a 35-yard touchdown on fourth down in the second quarter, and later found Carnell Tate for a 50-yard touchdown in the third quarter that put the game out of reach.
Bo Jackson – Running Back
Freshman running back Bo Jackson delivered a breakout performance that powered the Ohio State ground game.
- Rushing: 22 carries, 117 yards (season high)
- Receiving: 4 catches, 49 yards
Jackson’s workload increased as the game went on, especially during Ohio State’s clock-draining fourth-quarter drive, where his tough interior runs helped the Buckeyes chew up yardage and time.
Carnell Tate – Wide Receiver
Tate was Sayin’s top target and finished as Ohio State’s leading receiver.
- Receiving: 5 catches, 82 yards, 1 touchdown
His 50-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, where Sayin lofted a pass over the top of Michigan’s secondary, was the play that effectively sealed the win.
Jeremiah Smith – Wide Receiver
Smith didn’t lead the team in yardage, but his impact showed up on the scoreboard.
- Receiving: 3 catches, 40 yards, 1 touchdown
His fourth-down touchdown grab in the second quarter was a momentum-shifting play that gave Ohio State a lead it never gave back.
Sonny Styles – Linebacker/Safety
On defense, Sonny Styles paced the Buckeyes.
- Tackles: 6 (team-high)
Davison Igbinosun – Cornerback
Igbinosun came up with a game-sealing interception late in the fourth quarter, stopping a Michigan fourth-down attempt and effectively ending any hope of a comeback.
Michigan Wolverines Player Stats: Passing, Rushing, and Receiving
Bryce Underwood – Quarterback
Michigan’s quarterback struggled to generate consistent offense against Ohio State’s defense.
- Passing: 63 yards
- Interceptions: 1 (thrown on fourth down late in the fourth quarter)
Underwood’s limited passing production was a major factor in why Michigan couldn’t sustain drives or answer Ohio State’s scoring runs.
Jordan Marshall – Running Back
Marshall gave Michigan its best offensive moment of the day right from the opening snap.
- Rushing: 61 yards, including a 36-yard run on the very first play of the game — the longest run allowed by Ohio State’s defense all season
Outside of that explosive opening play, Michigan’s ground game was largely contained the rest of the afternoon.
Donaven McCulley – Wide Receiver
McCulley led Michigan’s receiving corps in a passing attack that never found rhythm.
- Receiving: 46 yards
Dominic Zvada – Kicker
Zvada provided Michigan’s only points in the first half.
- Field Goals: Two field goals made (45 yards and 25 yards)
Jyaire Hill – Cornerback
Hill delivered Michigan’s lone defensive highlight, intercepting Julian Sayin just 15 seconds into the game on Sayin’s second pass attempt.
Key Takeaways From the Ohio State vs Michigan Player Stats
- Ohio State’s balance won the day. Sayin’s efficient passing (19-of-26) paired with Jackson’s season-high rushing performance gave the Buckeyes offense multiple ways to move the ball.
- Michigan’s offense never found rhythm. Aside from Marshall’s opening 36-yard run, the Wolverines managed just 100 rushing yards and 63 passing yards the rest of the game.
- Third-down defense was the difference. Ohio State’s defense held Michigan to 1-of-9 on third down, forcing punt after punt and keeping the Wolverines’ offense off schedule all afternoon.
- The two-touchdown connection. Sayin’s touchdown passes to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate came at the two biggest momentum points of the game — right before halftime and to open the third-quarter surge.
What This Win Means for Ohio State
The 27-9 win pushed Ohio State to 12-0 overall and secured a spot in the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana at Lucas Oil Stadium. It also ended a personal four-game losing streak in the rivalry for head coach Ryan Day, who improved to 2-4 against Michigan since taking over the program. For a team that faced heavy criticism after losing The Game in 2024, this performance was a statement — both in the win column and in the player stat sheet.
FAQs: Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines Football Match Player Stats
Who won the Ohio State vs Michigan football game in 2025? Ohio State won 27-9 on November 29, 2025, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
Who was Ohio State’s leading passer against Michigan? Julian Sayin led Ohio State, going 19-of-26 for 233 yards and three touchdown passes.
Who had the most rushing yards in the Ohio State vs Michigan game? Bo Jackson led all rushers with 117 yards on 22 carries for Ohio State, a season high. Michigan’s Jordan Marshall led the Wolverines with 61 rushing yards.
Who caught the most passes for Ohio State against Michigan? Carnell Tate was Ohio State’s leading receiver with 5 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown.
How many total yards did each team have in the game? Ohio State finished with 419 total yards compared to Michigan’s 163 yards, which was Michigan’s lowest offensive output of the 2025 season.
Conclusion
The 2025 edition of Ohio State Buckeyes football vs Michigan Wolverines football delivered exactly the kind of player stat lines that define a great rivalry game — a breakout rushing performance from Bo Jackson, three touchdown passes from Julian Sayin, and a defense that shut down Michigan’s offense when it mattered most. Whether you’re tracking these numbers for fantasy research, recruiting analysis, or just rivalry bragging rights, these stats tell the full story of how Ohio State reclaimed The Game in 2025. Check back after the Big Ten Championship for updated player stats as Ohio State’s season continues.
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