Football: McCarthy, No. 3 Michigan go back to back, beat No. 2 Buckeyes 45-23

A family mourns Ohio State's loss during the Ohio State - Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Christian Harsa | Managing Editor for Digital Content

Ohio State third-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) watches warmups from the sidelines prior to No. 2 Ohio States (11-1) 45-23 loss to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka enters Ohio Stadium prior to No. 2 Ohio States 45-23 loss to Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State third-year defensive tackle Ty Hamilton (58) prepares to take the field prior to the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State graduated student wide receiver Kamryn Babb (0) is recognized as a senior prior to kickoff of the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka celebrates following the first touchdown of the day. No. 2 Ohio State (11-1) would lose 45-23 to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Michigan players rush towards Ohio State's offense during the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State senior linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (35) celebrates to the Ohio State sideline in the third quarter of No. 2 Ohio States (11-1) 45-23 loss to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

An Ohio State fan looks on in disbelief during the Ohio State - Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Christian Harsa | Managing Editor for Digital Content

A lone Michigan fan sits amongst the Ohio State faithful during No. 2 Ohio States (11-1) 45-23 loss to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State senior cornerback makes a tackle early in No. 2 Ohio States (11-1) 45-23 loss to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

The Ohio State student section cheers the Buckeye defense on during third down early in No. 2 Ohio States (11-1) 45-23 loss to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) runs the ball during the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State fourth-year tight end Cade Stover (8) helps up teammate Xavier Johnson (10) during the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

An Ohio State fan looks on disappointedly during the Ohio State - Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Christian Harsa | Managing Editor for Digital Content

Ohio State third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) gets tackled during the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State fourth-year tight end Cade Stover (8) attempts to catch the ball during the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

An Ohio State fan looks up at the replay in dismay during the Ohio State - Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Christian Harsa | Managing Editor for Digital Content

Ohio State and Michigan fans stand side by side watching the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State marching band members celebrate a touchdown during the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) dashes towards the end zone late in No. 2 Ohio States (11-1) 45-23 loss to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer stands at the end zone late in No. 2 Ohio States (11-1) 45-23 loss to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State third-year quarterback CJ Stroud (7)exits Ohio Stadium for what may be the final time following No. 2 Ohio States (11-1) 45-23 loss to No. 3 Michigan (12-0) in Columbus on Saturday. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State fourth-year offensive lineman Dawand Jones (79) mourns the loss against Michigan after the No.2 Ohio State-No.3 Michigan game Saturday. Ohio State lost 45-23. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

The Buckeyes will have to wait another year before their next shot at beating Michigan.

In their first meeting in Columbus since 2018, No. 3 Michigan captured control in the second half, and sophomore running back Donovan Edwards scored a 75-yard rushing touchdown with 7:11 to go to seal the 45-23 win.

The Wolverines (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) earned their first back-to-back victories over Ohio State since 1999-2000.

Third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud opened the scoring on the game’s opening drive with a 4-yard touchdown toss to second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.

From there, Ohio State’s offense had its ups and downs.

Michigan graduate kicker Jake Moody made a 49-yard field goal to cap the Wolverines’ first possession of the game.

The Wolverines forced two field goals on Ohio State’s next four possessions.

Michigan senior wide receiver Cornelius Johnson caught 141 yards on back-to-back passes in the second quarter by sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Both Johnson’s catches went for touchdowns, and Ohio State entered halftime of “The Game” ahead 20-17.

McCarthy connected with Wolverines freshman tight end Colston Loveland on a 45-yard toss, helping Michigan retake a 24-20 lead after the first possession in the second half.

Trayanum earns carries

Third-year linebacker Chip Trayanum, who began practicing “full time” with the Buckeye ball-carriers after the bye week, saw the most carries of his season Saturday against Michigan.

Trayanum transferred to Ohio State from Arizona State during the offseason. He played running back over his last two seasons with the Sun Devils, rushing for 692 yards. 

Up next

Michigan will advance to the Big Ten Championship game Dec. 3 for the second season in a row.

Ohio State awaits its fate in the College Football Playoff, which will unveil its playoff field Dec. 4.