Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - In the end, the rivalry was all that mattered.
Ohio State's season was ending no matter the outcome and Michigan lost its
opportunity to play for a Big Ten title on Friday when Nebraska beat Iowa. The
fourth-ranked Buckeyes, though, managed to complete the sixth perfect season
in school history with a 26-21 victory over the 20th-ranked Wolverines at the
Horseshoe.
Drew Basil kicked a pair of second-half field goals for Ohio State and the
Buckeyes' defense did not allow Michigan to cross midfield in a dominant
second half.
The Buckeyes (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten) finished without a loss for the first time
since the 2002 national championship season, but Saturday marked the
unfortunate conclusion of Urban Meyer's first year as head coach. Ohio State
is ineligible for postseason play, part of sanctions stemming from NCAA
penalties under former coach Jim Tressel's tenure.
Tressel was on hand for the 10-year celebration of Ohio State's last national
championship team and was roundly cheered despite his transgressions that may
have cost this year's Buckeyes team an opportunity to play for another title.
The NCAA gave Ohio State the one-year postseason ban after an investigation
determined that Tressel did not report potential violations during the 2010
season.
Michigan (8-4, 6-2) committed four turnovers and had a three-game winning
streak stopped. The Wolverines lost their annual grudge match with Ohio State
for the eighth time in the last nine years.
GAME NOTES:
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