Ohio State senior J.T. Barrett became the first starting quarterback ever to beat Michigan four times in his career---but he needed big time help from second teamer Dwayne Haskins. The redshirt freshman replaced Barrett who went down with a knee injury iin the third quarter and led No. 8 Ohio State from behind to beat Michigan 31-20. It was Ohio State's sixth straight win in the rivalry--all under head coach Urban Meyer.
Barrett's injury came after Michigan had taken a 20-14 third quarter lead. He picked up 10 yards on a carry but struggled to get up favoring his knee. After the game Meyer revealed that Barrett had initially been injured prior to the game when he was hit by a camera as he was warming up on the sideline before kickoff.
"Too many people on the sideline," Meyer said. "I'm so angry right now."
Barrett said he would play next Saturday night when Ohio State (10-2, 8-1 Big Ten) plays in the Big Ten championship game against No. 5 Wisconsin.
In relief of Barrett, Haskins shined, completing that scoring drive--a 78 yard march on 11 plays. He found Austin Mack on a 27-yard pass on a key third down and also scrambled for 22 yards, setting up running back J.K. Dobbins 1-yard run that gave Ohio State the lead for good.
Dobbins finished the day with 101 yards rushing on 15 carries and teammate Mike Weber had 57 yards on 12 carries including the game clinching 27-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Haskins was effective throwing the ball in relief of Barrett, completing 6 of 7 for 94 yards. Before his injury, Barrett had run for a 22-yard score and thrown for 25-yard T.D. to Marcus Baugh. Both of the Barrett led touchdowns came in the second quarter after Ohio State had fallen behind Michigan 14-0. It marks the first time in the history of the storied rivalry that the Buckeyes have beaten the Wolverines after falling behind by 14-points.
Posted below are Urban Meyer's post-game comments, courtesy of Steve Helwagen of Bucknuts and 24-7 sports, as well as some game highlights.