November 18, 2006 – 2nd ranked, 11-0 Michigan Wolverines with coach Lloyd Carr came to Columbus to meet the top-ranked, 11-0 Ohio State Buckeyes with coach Jim Tressel. The game marked the second time this season there was a match-up between teams ranked 1 & 2; Ohio State had claimed the Belt from second-ranked Texas in September. While the annual battle between the Buckeyes & Wolverines provided the typical drama, the specifics of the game were anything but typical for the two Big Ten powerhouses including the sudden passing of famed Michigan coach Bo Schembechler the day before the game. Ohio State’s Heisman Trophy winning, All-American QB Troy Smith threw 4 touchdown passes to 4 different receivers & the Buckeyes amassed 503 yards of total offense but they still had to withstand a spirited Michigan rally to retain the title with a 42-39 victory. The Wolverines tried to take the Buckeyes game-script as they drove 80 yards in 7 plays on their opening drive with All-Big Ten RB Mike Hart getting the touchdown on a 1-yard run. Ohio State tied the game at 7-7 after driving 69 yards in 14 plays. The touchdown came on a 1-yard pass from Smith to WR Roy Hall. The Buckeyes took advantage of some good field position early in the 2nd quarter. Getting the ball at their own 42-yard line, Smith scrambled for a 6-yard gain before RB Chris Wells broke an incredible 52-yard run for a score. Wells took the handoff running to his left but was hit by a Wolverines’ lineman. He spun back to the middle, broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage & ran free giving the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead. Another Michigan punt pinned the Buckeyes at their own 9-yard line, but Ohio State had another touchdown in just 4 plays. After a 4-yard run by RB Antoino Pittman, Smith broke from the passing pocket & found WR Brian Robiskie who broke a tackle; running for a 39-yard gain. Pittman’s 9-yard run put the ball at the Michigan 39-yard line & left the Buckeyes in a 2nd & inches situation. With their short-yardage formation in play, Smith instead ran a perfectly disguised play-action fake & connected with All-Big Ten WR Ted Ginn, Jr. on a 39-yard touchdown pass that gave Ohio State a 21-7 lead. The Wolverines got their offense rolling again & QB Chad Henne found WR Adrian Arrington for a 37-yard touchdown pass to finish another 80-yard drive. The Buckeyes ended the 1st half scoring with their own 80-yard drive as Smith threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to WR Anthony Gonzalez for the score giving Ohio State a 28-14 halftime lead. Michigan gained the momentum in the 3rd quarter after forcing the Buckeyes to punt after just 3 plays, the Wolverines went to Hart. He accounted for 59 yards on the 60-yard drive with the touchdown coming on a 2-yard run keeping Michigan within 7 points at 28-21. Michigan’s All-Big Ten DT Alan Branch intercepted Smith on a deflected ball giving the Wolverines the ball at the Ohio State 25-yard line. Michigan had to settle for a 39-yard field goal from All-Big Ten PK Garrett Rivas but they had closed a 14-point halftime lead to just 4 points with 8:41 left in the 3rd quarter. The Buckeyes took advantage of another long scoring play when Pittman broke through the line untouched & scored on a 56-yard touchdown run the seemed to put Ohio State back in control with a 35-24 lead. Late in the 3rd quarter, Branch recovered a fumble for Michigan on a bad snap at the Ohio State 9-yard line. Hart scored the touchdown on a 1-yard run just 0:19 into the final quarter & the Wolverines trailed just 35-31. Michigan was unable to take advantage of another Buckeyes’ fumble & had to punt before Ohio State drove 83 yards in 11 plays using 5:00 of game time with Smith throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Robiskie giving the Buckeyes a 42-31 lead with just 5:27 to play. Michigan was far from finished though as they drove 81 yards in 11 plays with Henne throwing a 16-yard touchdown pass to TE Tyler Ecker. With the 2-point conversion, the Wolverines closed to 42-39 with an onside kick attempt coming. Ohio State recovered the onside kick, made a first down, & ran out the clock to close a memorable match-up from the long series. Smith finished with 316 yards passing with 4 touchdowns but an interception, Pittman added 139 yards rushing to his score, & Ginn, Jr. had 8 catches for 104 yards to go with his touchdown. For Michigan, Henne threw for 267 yards with 2 touchdowns but was sacked 4 times while Hart rushed for 142 yards to go with his 3 touchdowns. The Wolverines finished the season 11-2, ranked 8th nationally while the Buckeyes finished 12-1, Big Ten Champions & ranked 2nd nationally. Michigan has not played for The Belt again.
Pickin' Splinters
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