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Ohio
State-Michigan
Perfection
achieved
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Urban Meyer was expected to do great things at Ohio
State when he was hired last November. And after only one season, the
coach left no one doubting that he's perfect for the job.
Let the record show it.
Meyer's first Ohio State team became the seventh in school history to
run the table with an undefeated and untied record after battling to a
26-21 victory over Michigan on Saturday on a cold and cloudy Saturday
before 105,899, the largest crowd ever to watch The Game in Ohio
Stadium.
"To be 12-0, it really hasn't sunk in yet," Meyer said.
The fourth-ranked Buckeyes (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten) did it without the
incentive of playing for a postseason bowl berth or a shot at a Big Ten
or national championship. But the consolation prize - a win over
archrival Michigan -- was a huge motivating factor and the capstone for
21 seniors who endured the scandal that rocked the program and a 6-7
season that followed in 2011 under Luke Fickell.
They also did it without senior defensive lineman John Simon, the
cornerstone of the defense and an inspirational leader who was
sidelined for his final appearance as a Buckeye by a bursa injury in a
knee suffered last week against Wisconsin.
"The most important thank you goes to our senior class," Meyer said.
"They're the most selfless group I've ever been around."
After Meyer won his first meeting with Michigan and coach Brady Hoke,
the Buckeyes were one of two FBS teams left standing with unbeaten
records, pending Notre Dame's game Saturday night against USC. They
also finished atop the Big Ten Leaders Division standings.
But The Buckeyes won't have a chance to show how they compare to the
nation's best teams because of the NCAA sanctions that include the
one-year postseason ban.
"I think this team can compete with any team in the United States of
America as of now," Meyer said. "I didn't say that several weeks ago.
I'm not going to get into the what-ifs. You can't control what you
can't control. We're 12-0. I'm going to see to it that this team is
never forgotten."
Drew Basil kicked two of his four field goals for the only points in
the second half -- the last a 25-yarder with 6:26 left after Michigan
quarterback Devin Gardner fumbled -- and the Ohio State defense did the
rest.
The Buckeyes shut out the No. 19 Wolverines (8-4, 6-2) after halftime
and held their offense to 60 yards in the final half. Safety C.J.
Barnett's interception with 4:50 left sealed the victory in the 109th
meeting in the series, which Michigan still leads 58-45-6.
Senior linebacker Zach Boren completed his career with a monster
effort. He logged nine tackles, including one of Ohio State's four
sacks and a fumble recovery. Cornerback Bradley Roby delivered eight
tackles.
"When they DQ'd (Simon), we played like a possessed group on defense,"
Meyer said. "And I know why. Our brother was down. We presented him the
game ball, which was deserving."
Thousands of fans swarmed the field, keeping Meyer and Michigan coach
Brady Hoke from exchanging a handshake after the game. The throng
lingered long after the game to sing and celebrate with Meyer and his
team.
Read the rest of the article at Ohio State Rivals
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