ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Tyvis Powell intercepted Devin Gardner's pass as Michigan went for a go-ahead 2-point conversion with 32 seconds left and No. 3 Ohio State held on for a 42-41 victory Saturday in one the most thrilling games in the history of the storied Big Ten rivalry.
Devin Gardner threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Devin Funchess to make it 42-41, but instead of kicking for the tie, Wolverines coach Brady Hoke went for the lead with his offense.
Recommended Videos
Gardner tried to zip a pass into traffic near the goal line, but Powell came up with it. Buckeyes cornerback Roby Bradley recovered the onside kick to seal Ohio State's 24th consecutive victory and keep its national championship hopes alive.
Braxton Miller accounted for five touchdowns for Ohio State (12-0, 8-0) and Carlos Hyde ran for a 1-yard score with 2:20 left to make it 42-35.
Gardner threw four touchdown passes for Michigan (7-5, 3-5).
3 players ejected during Michigan, OSU game
The Buckeys-Wolverines rivalry was kicked up a notch in the second quarter with punching, shoving and tugging.
The third-ranked Buckeyes lost starting right guard Marcus Hall and kick returner Dontre Wilson and the Wolverines lost backup linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone to ejections. All three players were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and had to leave the field after a skirmish.
Hall and Wilson appeared to throw punches after players gathered following an Ohio State kickoff return early in the second quarter. Jenkins-Stone tugged Wilson's helmet off and tossed it to the turf. While walking off the field and toward the tunnel, Hall put both arms into the air and extended his middle fingers.
The punishment might linger for Ohio State if both players are suspended for next week's Big Ten championship game.