Handing out 4 game balls for Michigan Football’s loss to Ohio State

Ohio State got back in the win column against Michigan by defeating the Wolverines at the Big House on Saturday by a final score of 27-9. Not much went right for the Wolverines overall, but here are the few players that stood out the most in the loss and will take home a game ball for their efforts.

Setting the tone is more important than ever in rivalry games, and Michigan got the start it was looking for when Jyaire Hill put on the turnover buffs for the first time this season. On Ohio State’s second play from scrimmage, Julian Sayin stared down Jeremiah Smith, but Hill stepped in front of the pass and gave Michigan possession at the Ohio State 39-yard line.

Unfortunately, Hill’s play only netted a field goal, but it helped get the Michigan Stadium crowd on its feet in the early going. He also had a respectable day in coverage as well despite the rest of the secondary struggling to contain Smith and Carnell Tate.

Any way you look at it, Dominic Zvada was disappointing in 2025 after having a stellar season last year. However, he saved his best for last on Saturday, going 3-for-3 on field goals. Early on, Michigan got itself into scoring position with a drive into Buckeye territory and the aforementioned interception from Hill. But the offense sputtered and turned to Zvada, who was able to convert on his kicks. If it wasn’t for Zvada, Michigan would have been shut out.

Michigan’s offense didn’t have much in this one, particularly in the passing game. Chip Lindsey didn’t have his best day and it looked like Michigan was playing it pretty conservatively overall even after going down two scores in the second half. Matt Patricia’s defense was able to bottle up Andrew Marsh for much of the afternoon, so the Wolverines turned to McCulley when it needed a big play.

On the day, McCulley finished the game with a team-high three receptions for 46 yards. Saturday represented the latest in a string of solid games for the Indiana transfer to close out the regular season, one that all in all might have been a little underwhelming based on expectations for him and the passing attack coming into the year.

Like it or not, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have regained control in the rivalry. Michigan wasn’t going to win every one of these matchups until the end of time, and unfortunately, Day had his team ready to go and was able to beat Michigan soundly on both sides of the ball. His offense shook off the early mistake by staying efficient on the ground and making the big plays through the air when needed — in snowy hostile territory nonetheless.

You’ve gotta give Ohio State’s head coach credit; ever since Michigan’s win in this game last year, his team has rattled off 16 wins in a row and has evolved into a buzzsaw that every team is going to struggle with in the College Football Playoff.