Big Ten / No. 21 Michigan 13, No. 2 Ohio State 9 -- Buckeyes Foiled Again By Nemesis Wolverines -- Upset Dashes Hopes For A National Title

COLUMBUS, Ohio - This time, it seemed Ohio State couldn't lose. This time, the No. 2 Buckeyes would beat No. 21 Michigan, cap a perfect season and head to the Rose Bowl with a shot at the national championship.

The Buckeyes' offense forgot to show up, though, and the Wolverines stunned Ohio State for the second straight year, winning 13-9 yesterday with a second-half comeback led by backup Brian Griese.

"It's sickening, it's an awful feeling," a distraught Ohio State fullback Matt Calhoun said. "I thought I can't have this type of feeling again and here I am feeling it again."

The loss shattered Ohio State's bid for its first national title since 1968. The Buckeyes (7-1 Big Ten, 10-1 overall), play No. 4 Arizona State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

"We have had a good year, but it's not a great year when you don't beat Michigan," Buckeye Coach John Cooper, now 1-7-1 against Michigan, said in a somber interview room outside the locker room.

Last year, the Buckeyes were 11-0 before a 31-23 loss to Michigan sent Northwestern to the Rose Bowl.

For Michigan (5-3, 8-3), the upset salvaged the season.

"I'd rather not go to the Rose Bowl and beat Ohio State then go to the Rose Bowl and not beat Ohio State," safety Marcus Ray said.

Griese, who had thrown only 10 passes all season, and Michigan's rugged defense, gave Ohio State trouble in the second half.

"It was our Rose Bowl," Griese said, "my Rose Bowl."

The Buckeyes, who had won 14 in a row at home, led 9-0 at halftime. But Griese, who replaced starter Scott Dreisbach (dislocated left elbow), threw a 69-yard touchdown pass to split end Tai Streets and the Wolverines trailed 9-7.

"After they scored, they were a different team," Cooper said.

Michigan took a 10-9 lead on the last play of the third quarter on Remy Hamilton's 43-yard field goal. Hamilton kicked a 39-yard field goal with 1:19 left in the game.