Buckeyes' defense delivers

Ohio State limited Michigan to only 32 yards rushing and 255 total yards.
By ROB TODOR
VINDICATOR SPORTS EDITOR
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Ohio State defense came into The Big House leading the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense and scoring defense.
They did nothing but improve on their numbers in two of those three categories.
The Buckeyes limited Michigan to 32 yards rushing and 255 total yards Saturday in their 25-21 victory. Only terrible field position set up by offensive and special teams miscues allowed the Wolverines to score so many points.
All of that, with Ohio State missing one its most important defenders (senior linebacker Bobby Carpenter, who was sidelined on Michigan's first offensive play with a badly-injured right ankle).
"I was shocked to see him heading into the tunnel," freshman James Laurinitis said of Carpenter. "He's such a warrior, he never comes out. I knew it had to be pretty serious for him to head straight to the locker room."
Laurinitis fills in well
Laurinitis was immediately thrust into the game and despite his inexperience, helped the Buckeyes stymie the Michigan offense.
"James had huge shoes to fill," OSU linebacker A.J. Hawk said, "but he played well, especially considering it was his first real game time and [also] against Michigan."
The Buckeyes permitted just three of 10 Michigan drives to exceed six plays.
On their opening drive -- after Ohio State had grabbed a 6-0 lead -- the Wolverines advanced to the OSU 28 but failed to convert a fourth-and-1.
Leading 9-0, the Buckeyes turned the ball over on the third possession, a fumble by backup running back Maurice Wells, at their 36. It took Michigan nine plays (and a defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone) to score the touchdown.
Michigan's only other long push was an 11-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in a 38-yard field goal by Garrett Rivas with 7:49 remaining.
Henne lauds OSU defense
"They're a good defense ... the best in the conference," said Michigan quarterback Chad Henne, who was 25-of-36 for 223 yards and a touchdown. "They stopped us on some of those drives where we could have driven down and scored."
Michigan coach Lloyd Carr lamented his team's inability to run the ball.
Sophomore Mike Hart, who had missed the last two games with ankle and leg injuries, had just 15 yards on nine carries. His backup, Kevin Grady, gained 11 yards on six attempts. The Wolverines' longest rush was just 7 yards.
"We couldn't keep the ball because we just could not run the football," Carr said. "In some way or another that is going to make it very difficult to win. We did some very good things in the passing game."
After the Buckeyes closed to 21-19 with 6:40 remaining in the game, Michigan began the ensuing drive from its 48-yard line. Henne threw on four of five plays, completing only two, and the Wolverines lost 1 yard on their only rushing attempt.
Michigan punted and OSU responded with its game-winning, 88-yard drive.
"It's tough to run" against Ohio State," Henne said. "If we have to pass, we have to pass. We passed the ball a lot. We should have been a little more balanced."
todor@vindy.com