COLUMBUS, Ohio — The only thing Urban Meyer lost during his first season at Ohio State was his cool — at the end of the last game.
Carlos Hyde ran for 146 yards and the Buckeyes’ defense shut out No. 19 Michigan in the second half to grab a 26-21 victory Saturday, completing an improbable 12-0 season for the Buckeyes.
Meyer got emotional as the final seconds ticked off, embracing his players on the sideline at a raucous Ohio Stadium. Too emotional, he said later.
“I’ve got to keep a little more composure, I guess,” he said sheepishly. “In the coaching manual, I think it’s chapter 13, it says, ‘Keep cool.’ I lost it there for a couple of minutes.”
Almost no one — up to and including Meyer — expected such a rapid turnaround for the Buckeyes, who were just 6-7 last season with a loss to their archrivals in a transitional year when they were facing heavy NCAA penalties. A month after Meyer took the job last November, they were socked with a bowl ban after this season — and still ran the table.
“You get all the wins you can, especially against the Team Up North, especially at home on top of that,” said exuberant Buckeyes quarterback Braxton Miller.
Ohio State (12-0, 8-0 Big Ten), which is fourth in the Associated Press poll, is ineligible for a BCS national title but still has an outside shot at finishing No. 1 in the final AP Top 25 if other contenders lose. Michigan (8-4, 6-2) will now await a minor bowl bid.
“At this point in time, Ohio State can go and play with anybody in America,” Meyer said. “I wouldn’t say that five weeks ago, but you’ve seen the growth, what we did today and the growth of our defense.”
Drew Basil matched his season output with four field goals and the defense did the rest, forcing three turnovers in the second half.
In other Big Ten games, Sam Ficken hit a 37-yard field goal in overtime for host Penn State (8-4, 6-2), and Kyle French’s attempt from 45 yards went wide left to seal the Nittany Lions’ 24-21 victory over Wisconsin (7-5, 4-4). Badgers star running back Montee Ball ran for 111 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, and set the NCAA record with his 97th career score. ... Le’Veon Bell rumbled for a career-high 266 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown to put the game away, leading Michigan State (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) to a 26-10 victory over host Minnesota (6-6, 2-6) to secure a spot in a bowl game. ... Akeem Shavers broke open a close game with three scores during a 4 1/2-minute span in the fourth quarter, giving host Purdue (6-6, 3-5) a 56-35 victory over archrival Indiana (4-8, 2-6). ... Venric Mark rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown as host Northwestern (9-3, 5-3) improved its chances for a berth in a New Year’s Day bowl game, beating Illinois (2-10, 0-8) 50-14 on Saturday.
SUN BELT
Blue Raiders rally
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Carlos Lopez kicked three field goals and Kevin Byard returned an interception 77 yards for the game-winning touchdown as Middle Tennessee took down Troy 24-21 Saturday in a Sun Belt Conference game.
The victory sets up a showdown with Arkansas State (8-3, 6-1) Saturday in Jonesboro, with the winner taking the outright Sun Belt title.
Lopez converted field goals of 37, 26, and 21 yards. His 26-yarder put Middle Tennessee (8-3, 6-1) ahead 13-7 at halftime while his 21-yarder helped the Blue Raiders retake the lead, 16-14, late in the third quarter.
Troy (5-7, 3-5) reclaimed the lead, 21-16, by taking advantage of a Reggie Whatley fumble and driving 56 yards for the score. Deon Anthony capped the drive with his 6-yard touchdown run.
In other Sun Belt games, Kolton Browning threw for 218 yards and a touchdown and added another rushing to help Louisiana-Monroe (8-4, 6-2) win 23-17 over host Florida International (3-9, 2-6) in overtime. ... Terrance Broadway threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns as host Louisiana-Lafayette (7-4, 5-2) rolled over South Alabama (2-10, 1-7) 52-30. ... Antonio Andrews ran for 230 yards, including the game-winning 21-yard touchdown run, as host Western Kentucky (7-5, 4-4) beat North Texas (4-8, 3-5) 25-24.
Sports, Pages 34 on 11/25/2012