Finding clean, trustworthy numbers for this rivalry should take seconds. Instead, box scores sit scattered across a dozen tabs, and half of them bury the real story under filler. That ends here. This guide puts every relevant Michigan Wolverines Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats in one place, from quarterback snaps to defensive stops, so you can read the game the way it actually unfolded.
A Quick Look at the Rivalry
This is not just another Saturday. Michigan and Ohio State have played since 1897, and the Wolverines hold the all-time edge, 62–53–6. But recent history flipped the script. Michigan won four straight before 2025, including a 13–10 win in 2024. Ohio State answered in 2025 with a 27–9 win at Michigan Stadium, snapping that streak and keeping its perfect season alive. The all-time series remains close, but every meeting carries conference and playoff weight.
The Most Recent Matchup: November 29, 2025
Ohio State entered as the No. 1 team in the country. Michigan was No. 15, playing at home in snow and 29-degree weather. The Buckeyes left with a 27–9 win, a 12–0 regular season, and a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game. Michigan fell to 9–3 and out of College Football Playoff contention. The final score looks comfortable. The underlying Michigan Wolverines Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats show why it was not close.
Team Totals and Efficiency Comparison
The gap in production was historic for this rivalry. Ohio State doubled Michigan’s first downs, controlled the clock by a 2-to-1 margin, and averaged nearly two more yards per play.
| Stat | Ohio State | Michigan |
| Total Yards | 419 | 163 |
| Passing Yards | 233 | 63 |
| Rushing Yards | 186 | 100 |
| First Downs | 23 | 9 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Possession Time | 40:01 | 19:59 |
| Yards Per Play | 6.3 | 4.1 |
Michigan’s 163 total yards were its fewest in the rivalry since at least 2019. Ohio State’s 419 yards were the most it had posted against Michigan in that same span. The time-of-possession split tells the story: Ohio State ran 76 plays; Michigan ran 42.
Complete Quarterback Matchup and Passing Stats
Julian Sayin played like a veteran. Bryce Underwood played like a freshman. That sentence captures the 2025 Michigan Wolverines Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats at the quarterback position.
| Quarterback | Team | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
| Julian Sayin | Ohio State | 19/26 (73.1%) | 233 | 3 | 1 | 178.7 |
| Bryce Underwood | Michigan | 8/18 (44.4%) | 63 | 0 | 1 | 62.7 |
Sayin averaged 9.0 yards per attempt and threw touchdowns to three different receivers. Underwood averaged 3.5 yards per attempt and never found the end zone through the air. His longest completion went for 26 yards to Donaven McCulley, but Michigan could not sustain drives through the pass game.
Rushing Leaders and Ground Game Performance
Ohio State’s freshman running back Bo Jackson turned a tight game into a one-sided one. He finished with 117 yards on 22 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt, including a 36-yard burst that set up a first-half field goal.
| Rusher | Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
| Bo Jackson | Ohio State | 22 | 117 | 5.3 | 0 | 36 |
| CJ Donaldson | Ohio State | 14 | 44 | 3.1 | 0 | — |
| Jordan Marshall | Michigan | 7 | 61 | 8.7 | 0 | 36 |
| Bryson Kuzdzal | Michigan | 11 | 38 | 3.5 | 0 | 22 |
| Bryce Underwood | Michigan | 6 | 1 | 0.2 | 0 | 7 |
Marshall’s 36-yard run on Michigan’s first play was the highlight of the Wolverines’ day on the ground. After that, Ohio State’s defensive front settled in, and Michigan’s rushing attack never found a consistent rhythm.
Receiving Production and Target Breakdown
Sayin spread the ball to his playmakers. Carnell Tate returned from injury and led all receivers with 82 yards and a touchdown on five catches. Jeremiah Smith added 40 yards and a score on three catches. Brandon Inniss caught the late first-half touchdown that broke Michigan’s back.
| Receiver | Team | Targets | Catches | Yards | TD | Long |
| Carnell Tate | Ohio State | 5 | 5 | 82 | 1 | 50 |
| Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State | 3 | 3 | 40 | 1 | 35 |
| Brandon Inniss | Ohio State | 2 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 15 |
| Donaven McCulley | Michigan | 7 | 3 | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| Jordan Marshall | Michigan | 3 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
The target distribution tells a clear story. Ohio State’s top three receivers caught every pass thrown their way. Michigan’s leading receiver, McCulley, caught three of seven targets, and no other Wolverine receiver topped 10 yards.
Defensive Plays, Turnovers, and Sacks
Ohio State’s defense suffocated Michigan’s offense. The Buckeyes held the Wolverines to 3-of-12 on third down and allowed only 100 rushing yards on 24 carries. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. recorded a sack, and Sonny Styles led the team with six tackles. Jyaire Hill intercepted Sayin on Ohio State’s first possession, but Michigan managed only three points off that takeaway. The Buckeyes’ red-zone defense forced two first-quarter field goals, and the game never slipped away after that.
Step-by-Step Game-Changing Moments
The scoreboard moved in a predictable pattern once Ohio State found its footing. These are the plays that flipped the Michigan Wolverines Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats from a competitive box score into a lopsided result.
- Michigan’s fast start. Jordan Marshall broke a 36-yard run on the first play, and Dominic Zvada hit a 45-yard field goal for a 3–0 lead.
- Sayin’s fourth-down answer. Trailing 6–3, Ohio State went for it on fourth down. Sayin found Jeremiah Smith for a 35-yard touchdown and a 10–6 lead.
- The halftime dagger. Sayin hit Brandon Inniss for a 4-yard score with 20 seconds left in the second quarter, sending Ohio State into the locker room up 17–9.
- The third-quarter knockout. Sayin connected with Carnell Tate for a 50-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 24–9 and ending Michigan’s comeback hopes.
- The clock-killing drive. Ohio State opened the fourth quarter with a 20-play, 81-yard drive that consumed 11:56 and ended in a field goal. Michigan never touched the ball again with a chance to close the gap.
What the Numbers Tell Us About Each Team
Ohio State’s offense was balanced and efficient. The Buckeyes gained 233 yards through the air and 186 on the ground, converted 10 of 17 third downs, and committed just one turnover. Michigan’s offense was one-dimensional and stuck in neutral. The Wolverines averaged 3.5 yards per pass attempt and 4.2 yards per rush, and they converted only 3 of 12 third downs. The Michigan Wolverines Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats confirm what the eye test showed: Ohio State won the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Looking Back: How the Rivalry Has Unfolded Over Time
Ohio State has won 18 of the last 25 meetings, but Michigan’s four-game run from 2021 to 2024 made the series feel open again. The 2025 game restored Ohio State’s recent edge. Historically, the Wolverines own the overall record, but the Buckeyes have produced the longer winning streaks in the modern era, including an eight-game run from 2012 to 2019. The 2025 result does not erase Michigan’s recent success. It does remind everyone that this rivalry runs in cycles.
Why Player Stats Matter in This Matchup
Raw totals tell you who won. Player stats tell you how. The Michigan Wolverines Football vs Ohio State Buckeyes Football Match Player Stats show that Sayin’s efficiency (9.0 yards per attempt, three touchdowns, one interception) gave Ohio State a ceiling Michigan could not match. Underwood’s 44.4% completion rate and 3.5 yards per attempt kept Michigan’s offense on the sideline and put pressure on a defense that eventually wore down. In a rivalry defined by inches, the gap between 9.0 and 3.5 yards per attempt is the whole story.
Final Thoughts and Fan Community Takeaways
Ohio State fans should feel relief and confidence. The Buckeyes finally solved Michigan, and they did it with a freshman running back and a quarterback who played his best game in the biggest moment. Michigan fans should focus on the bigger picture. A 9–3 season with a young quarterback is not a failure, but the gap between the Wolverines and the top of the Big Ten was exposed in the snow. The 2026 meeting cannot come soon enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025 Michigan vs Ohio State game?
Ohio State won 27–9 on November 29, 2025, at Michigan Stadium.
Who had the better passing stats in the 2025 game?
Julian Sayin completed 19 of 26 passes for 233 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Bryce Underwood completed 8 of 18 passes for 63 yards and one interception.
How many rushing yards did Bo Jackson have against Michigan?
Bo Jackson ran for 117 yards on 22 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt.
What was the time of possession in the 2025 game?
Ohio State held the ball for 40:01. Michigan held it for 19:59.
Where can I find more historical stats for this rivalry?
Pro Football Reference maintains a complete game log and box scores for every meeting. ESPN also archives team and player stats for recent seasons. NFL.com tracks how rivalry performances translate to the professional level.