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For Rashan Gary, this game with Ohio State is why he came to Michigan
By Tom Brew
Published:
Rashan Gary showed up for questions on Tuesday, and was quick with his answers. Polite yes, but short and sweet. It’s Ohio State week, and there’s work to be done. Long chats with the media, that will have to wait.
“Everybody knows what week it is,” the Michigan defensive end said. “I’m focused. I’m trying to hurry up, get back to watching film. It’s one of those types of weeks.”
Yep, come and go. And get back to work.
This one is for all the marbles. And it’s exactly why Gary came to Michigan in the first place, to get the Wolverines over the hump and back on the top of the Big Ten where they belong. It’s been far too long.
is a game to prove this season has been for something.
The last time Michigan beat Ohio State and won the Big Ten in the same season was 2003. Since then, they have beaten Ohio State exactly once (2011) and that’s it. Urban Meyer has never lost to Michigan during his six-plus years at Ohio State.
But now, the tables seem to be turned. Michigan is 10-1 and has won 10 straight games since losing to Notre Dame in the opener. Ohio State is also 10-1, but the Buckeyes have been struggling for a month. Michigan is actually the favorite Saturday, even though the game is in Columbus.
Michigan has been close in its two games with Gary on the field. The Wolverines lost 30-27 in double overtime in 2016 — and it still hurts. .
“My freshman year, we were close to winning. A couple of plays went sideways,” Gary said. “It’s just that one big play — (the infamous fourth-down play) — that everybody remembers. I don’t want to talk about it, but everybody knows that play. That’s what I keep in the back of my head, and I know my brothers keep that in the back of their head and use it as motivation going into this game.
“Man. Bring me back,” he said. “I was highly disappointed, because I’m looking up at the screen and to myself I’m like, ‘Nah, can’t be a first down.’ Then they end up getting it. It’s a little slap on the face, but you know what it is, it is what it is.”
Last year was just as disappointing. Michigan led 14-0 but backup quarterback Dwayne Haskins led Ohio State to a 31-20 win. It was another frustrating loss.
“We came out hot to a good start (last year), then we just started making small mistakes,” Gary said. “And small mistakes end up putting points on the board. They started gaining big yardage plays. That’s something I take apart from last year. This year we’re a different team, and I feel like we’re closer as a team. We know what we need to do and we know what we need to take care of.”
So this is the year? Of course, Gary said.
“Just our brotherhood. I feel like how our swagger is and what we want as a team goal.”
The stakes are high, of course, but the preparation remains the same.
“It’s just another game,” Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson said. “We understand the tradition and meaning behind it, and we’re going to attack it the same way we have the past 10 or 11 weeks. We know that they’re a good ball club, and at their place, but we’re just going to prepare.”
“It is different,” said senior running back Karan Higdon. “It’s been awhile since this has been a game to determine our fate in the national championship, for a Big Ten Championship. It definitely is a different year.”
Tom Brew has been a recognized reporter in Big Ten sports for decades. Among other projects, he writes about Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.