Nov. 21, 2009

The year before: Michigan lost to Ohio State 42-7.

Did they get their revenge? Nope. Michigan fell 21-10, but it really wasn’t that close. Freshman quarterback Tate Forcier had five turnovers, including four interceptions, as Michigan’s drought against OSU extended to six seasons, or “Day 2,192,” as the next day’s Free Press put it. Michigan’s defense held OSU to just 67 passing yards but was gashed for 251 yards on the ground.

The true culprit was the offense, though, as Forcier noted. He told the Free Press: “I lost that game. ... We’re going to come back a new team. I’m not going to let this happen again.”

Coach Rich Rodriguez, in his second of three seasons at Michigan, was more succinct: “We’ll beat Ohio State when we’re better than them.”

That never happened under Rodriguez, who was fired after a 37-7 loss to OSU in 2010.

Nov. 26, 2011

The year before: Michigan lost to Ohio State 37-7.

Did they get their revenge? Yes! The long wait — 2,926 days, according to the Michigan Stadium scoreboard — was finally over, thanks to a dominant performance by quarterback Denard Robinson. The junior passed for 167 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 170 yards and two more touchdowns in the Wolverines’ 40-34 victory.

The win was particularly sweet for Robinson, who had considered transferring when Rodriguez was replaced as coach by Brady Hoke. Of course, it wasn’t easy. The Wolverines had two touchdowns called back via penalty and review in the final three minutes and had to settle for a field goal to make it a six-point game, with the Buckeyes getting the ball back with 1:59 left. But sophomore cornerback Courtney Avery picked off Ohio State QB Braxton Miller with 39 seconds left, and the Wolverines could finally celebrate.

Robinson said it best — “I’m glad I stayed” — echoing Schembechler’s “Those who stay” speech more than 40 years earlier.