Ryan Day Silences Critics: Wolverines Fall 27-9 as Ohio State Ends Michigan’s Four-Game Streak
Michigan’s four-game run in The Game is over — and the moment belongs to Ryan Day.
The No. 15 Wolverines fell 27-9 to No. 1 Ohio State on a snowy Saturday in Ann Arbor, giving Day his first win over Michigan since 2019 and flipping the rivalry back in the Buckeyes’ favor. For the Wolverines, the loss drops them to 9–3 (7–2 Big Ten) and ends any hopes of a Big Ten Championship or CFP berth.
But the headline is simple:
Day finally erased the only criticism left on his résumé.
Stat Capsule (Condensed + Strong)
🏟️ Final Score: Ohio State 27, Michigan 9
📍 Ann Arbor, MI — Michigan Stadium
📊 Total Yards: OSU 419 | MICH 163
🎯 Passing: OSU 233 | MICH 63
💨 Rushing: OSU 186 | MICH 100
⛓️ 3rd Down: OSU 10/17 | MICH 1/9
⏱️ Time of Possession: OSU 40:01 | MICH 19:59
🔁 Turnovers: 1 each
Ohio State Leaders
- QB Julian Sayin: 19/26, 233 YDS, 3 TD, INT
- RB Bo Jackson: 22 CAR, 117 YDS (36 long)
- WR Carnell Tate: 5 REC, 82 YDS, TD
- Defense: Sonny Styles 6 tackles; Kenyatta Jackson Jr. 1 sack
Michigan Leaders
- QB Bryce Underwood: 8/18, 63 YDS, INT
- RB Jordan Marshall: 7 CAR, 61 YDS
- WR Donaven McCulley: 3 REC, 46 YDS
- Defense: Jimmy Rolder 12 tackles (1.5 TFL)
K Dominic Zvada: 3/3 FG (45, 25, 47)Stat Capsule
🏟️ Final Score: Ohio State 27, Michigan 9
📍 Ann Arbor, MI — Michigan Stadium
📊 Total Yards: OSU 419 | MICH 163
💨 Rushing: OSU 186 | MICH 100
🎯 Passing: OSU 233 | MICH 63
⛓️ Third/Fourth Down: OSU 7/14 | MICH 1/10
⭐ Michigan Standouts:
- Dominic Zvada: 3/3 FG (45, 25, 47)
- Jimmy Rolder: 12 tackles, 1.5 TFL
- Jyaire Hill: Early INT
- Jordan Marshall: 36-yard opening run
Ryan Day Finally Gets the Win He Needed
After four straight losses to Michigan, Day badly needed this one — and he delivered it in the exact way critics said he couldn’t.
Tough. Physical. Composed.
He didn’t gloat afterward, even though he easily could have, saying only:
“The best thing to do is win with humility.”
The message was clear:
The rivalry narrative that haunted him is gone now.
Quarterback Contrast: Sayin’s Calm vs. Underwood’s First Lesson
This game told two very different quarterback stories.
Julian Sayin — poised and polished
After an early interception on his second pass, Sayin settled in and dominated. He finished 19-of-26 for 233 yards and three touchdowns, showing command well beyond his years.
His scoring throws:
- 35-yard strike to Jeremiah Smith on 4th down
- 4-yard TD to Inniss before halftime
- 50-yard bomb to Carnell Tate in the third quarter
For a first taste of this rivalry, he looked unfazed — even saying afterward he still had “stuff to clean up.”
Bryce Underwood — a freshman reminder of how brutal this rivalry is
Underwood’s day reflected the reality many freshman QBs have learned in this matchup.
He finished 8-of-18 for 63 yards with one interception, pressured into check-downs and never allowed to get comfortable. At times he looked rushed, but Ohio State’s defense deserves credit for that. They rattled him early and never let up.
Still — this doesn’t change his trajectory.
Underwood entered the game having tied Chad Henne’s freshman record with seven 200-yard passing games, plus four rushing touchdowns this season. His ceiling is enormous. Saturday was simply his introduction to the rivalry’s intensity.
Offense Never Finds Its Footing
Michigan’s offensive issues stretched beyond quarterback play. The Wolverines generated only 163 total yards — their season low. Drives stalled repeatedly, leading to a brutal 1-for-10 conversion rate on third and fourth downs.
The Wolverines’ only consistent scoring came from kicker Dominic Zvada, who drilled field goals from 45, 25, and 47 yards.
Jordan Marshall’s early 36-yard burst offered a spark, but it faded quickly under constant pressure.
Defense Battled, But Couldn’t Carry the Load
The defense started strong. Jyaire Hill’s early interception set up a field goal and a 6–0 lead. Jimmy Rolder flew around the field with a career-best 12 tackles.
But as the offense sputtered, the defense stayed on the field far too long. Ohio State’s 419 yards were the second-most Michigan has allowed this season.
A brief moment of controversy came when Jaishawn Barham was flagged for contact with an official, though he was not ejected.
Sherrone Moore: Accountability and Perspective
Moore took the blame afterward.
“I’ll put it on me. It’s got to be better,” he said.
He also pointed out the bigger picture:
This is a very young Michigan team, starting six freshmen, including a true freshman quarterback. With a bowl game still ahead, Moore emphasized reaching 10 wins as a major goal.
“That would be huge for such a young team,” he added.
What’s Next
Michigan now awaits its bowl destination. The long-term view still matters: this young core gained invaluable experience, even through pain.
But make no mistake — this one will stick with them until next November.
Do you think the Michigan offense was too conservative? Drop your comment below or join the conversation in the Wolverine Wire — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
