Michigan WR Roman Wilson questions Ohio State’s toughness after win

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan receiver Roman Wilson delivered the latest blow in the Ohio State rivalry, questioning the Buckeyes’ toughness while taking shots at opposing players.

Speaking after the Wolverines’ 30-24 win on Saturday , a game in which Michigan lead the entire way despite being outgained on the field, Wilson dismissed a reporter’s question about Ohio State showing an improved, physical brand of football.

“No, definitely not,” Wilson said. “I mean, like I told the receivers this whole week: You got guys back there — and this is the thing I thought, too — that want to put on Louis V., the $1,000 outfit. You want to act hard, but when you’re out there they’re not hard.”

Michigan scored its third straight win over rival Ohio State, capping another 12-0 regular season that will send Wilson and his teammates to the Big Ten championship for a third straight year.

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The Wolverines lost the total yards battle, 378-338, and finished just 3 of 12 on third down, but like the previous two years converted when they needed to. The team finished 3 of 3 on fourth down, kicker James Turner converted all three field-goal attempts (including a 50-yarder) and the defense came up with a pair of crucial interceptions.

Wilson finished with three receptions for 36 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown catch that put Michigan up 14-3 in the second quarter.

“That’s a play that J.J. (McCarthy) is looking for me to get open, and that’s what I got to do,” Wilson said. “I got to go make a big play in a big game and help this team win.”

Ohio State tied the game, 17-17, with 5:35 left in the third quarter but Michigan responded with its own seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive and forced the Buckeyes to punt. The Wolverines answered with a four-minute drive that netted a field goal, a lead they would never relinquish.

Michigan rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns, while McCarthy finished 16 of 20 for 148 yards and a touchdown. And in typical U-M fashion, it won time of possession thanks to a 13-play, 56-yard drive late that drained seven minutes off the clock — forcing the Buckeyes to go 81 yards in one minute. Their final drive was cut short by a game-sealing interception from Michigan safety Rod Moore, ending Ohio State’s hope of dethroning the Wolverines.

OSU coach Ryan Day made national headlines in September following the Buckeyes’ win at Notre Dame for his brash comments calling out former college football coach Lou Holtz. It was Holtz who questioned Day and his team’s toughness coming into the year, and Day wanted everyone to know they heard him.

“I see the film,” said Wilson, who was knocked out of last week’s win at Maryland. “You’re not tough. And I don’t think I’m the toughest guy in the world, but I’m out there getting physical. I don’t think they wanted it like how I wanted it.”