Michigan was without its best offensive player and possible Heisman candidate, Blake Corum, when they stepped into Ohio Stadium in Columbus to face off against hated rival Ohio State. The Wolverines have relied on their run game all season, and going without their No. 1 rushing option wouldn't be so tough if it weren't for the uncertainty of their backup plan. Michigan's second best backfield option, Donovan Edwards, had been out for several weeks with a hand injury that made it hard for him to grip the ball. That's a problem, considering it's kind of an important thing for a running back to do.
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The Wolverines Head into Enemy Territory
Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images
In last year's matchup, the Wolverine ground attack that saw Hassan Haskins dominate the Buckeyes defense. With Corum's injury and the uncertainty around Edwards, it appeared likely that a similar game plan would be shelved, leaving Michigan completely dependent on what had been a shaky pass offense from sophomore QB, JJ McCarthy.
But fear not. While the Buckeyes managed to contain the Wolverines offense in the first half, it was not the same case in the second half. With each possession starting from the second half kick-off the Wolverines, specifically Donovan Edwards, hand cast and all, started to pick up momentum. And in the 4th quarter he finally exploded.
The Floodgates Opened as Donovan Edwards Ran Through Them
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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The first of Edwards' two explosive touchdowns would come late in the 4th quarter with about seven minutes to go. On a hand-off from McCarthy that sent him to the edge of the sideline, Edwards managed to not only evade Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom, but also managed to stay in bounds to go 75 yards for the score that would put Michigan up by 14.
RUN, DONOVAN, RUN 💨 @UMichFootball TOUCHDOWN! @DEdwards__ x @jjmccarthy09 pic.twitter.com/lnNOM05IBp
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 26, 2022
As if that run wasn't impressive enough, Edwards went ahead and did it again less than five minutes later. On this play, from their own 15-yard line, Edwards would find a seam right up the middle and go 85 yards to put Michigan up 45-23. That run would seal the win for the Wolverines, keeping their perfect record in tact. The last time the Wolverines won back-to-back meetings with Ohio State, Tom Brady was a rookie in the NFL. Think about that.
GAME. SET. MATCH.
This will forever be Donovan Edwards Day! 🚀🚀🚀
🔵 21 carries - 214 yards
🟡 2 touchdowns
Definition of NEXT MAN UP. 💯#MICHvsOSU #GoBlue #ELITEseekers #Devy #C2C pic.twitter.com/WoBhUFAHu8
— Ben Eby 🚀🚀🚀 (@TheBenEby) November 26, 2022
Edwards would finish the day with 21 carries for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns. To put that stat line in perspective, Ohio State would only finish with 145 rushing yards as a team. Harbaugh's Wolverines secured their first win in Columbus in 22 years on the back of some spectacular plays and a sheer determination to make sure that team "down south" knew how great it is to be a Michigan Wolverine today.
Next up for the Wolverines is a meeting in Indianapolis with whoever may come out of the Big Ten West and then likely onto the College Football Playoff for the second time in as many years. Meanwhile in Columbus, Ohio State defenders will be waking up from nightmares where they keep seeing the back of Edwards' jersey and they can't catch up.
