Michigan Football WR Questions Ohio State's Physicality After Wolverines Defeat Buckeyes
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- For the third year in a row, Michigan was able to take down Ohio State. This year, The Game came down to the final seconds and Michigan was able to outlast the Buckeyes, 30-24. Defensive back Rod Moore sealed the game with an interception.
Ever since Ohio State coach Ryan Day had an emotional postgame reaction after the Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame on Sept. 23, a ton of talk was about how much tougher the Buckeyes were as a team. During Day's interview after the Buckeyes beat the Fighting Irish in the final seconds, he claimed that his team was tough and called out legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz in the process -- who questioned Ohio State's toughness.
"I'd like to know where Lou Holtz is right now," Day told NBC moments after the win. "What he said about our team, I cannot believe. This is a tough team right here. We're proud to be from Ohio. It's always been Ohio against the world, and it'll continue to be Ohio against the world."
Toughness and more physical are a couple of ways Ohio State has been described since Day's outburst. But Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson wasn't having that after the game ended.
Wilson was asked by a reporter if he thought Ohio State appeared to be more physical this season than the previous two. But Wilson immediately responded with no.
"No definitely not," said Wilson after the game. "I mean, like I told the receivers this whole week like you got guys back there -- like this thing I thought to -- like guys who you want to put on like the Louis V, like the $1,000 outfit, like you want to act hard, but when we're out there like they're not hard. I see the film like you're not tough, like and I don't think I'm the toughest guy in the world. But, you know, I'm out there. I'm getting physical like I don't think they want to get like."
Wilson started for Michigan on Saturday after getting knocked out last weekend against Maryland. The senior didn't have a huge game statistically, but he brought down the only passing touchdown by the Wolverines.
Wilson finished the day with three receptions for 36 yards and a score. On the touchdown grab, J.J. McCarthy threw a seed in between a couple of defenders that Wilson was able to haul in. Wilson said he knew his QB was looking for him and he was going to make a big play.
"Like, that's a play that I know that J.J. is looking for me to get open," Wilson said on his touchdown reception. "And you know, that's why I gotta go do that. And I'm gonna make a big play and a big game."
Michigan outgained the Buckeyes on the ground 156-107 yards -- the winning team has outrushed the opponent in the past 22 games. Ohio State didn't allow Michigan to run rampage on it like the Wolverines did the previous two seasons, but Michigan controlled the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Michigan will now head to Indianapolis to take on Iowa in hopes of winning three straight Big Ten Championships.
