Legends are made in The Game, Michigan and Ohio State's annual duel that, more often than not, has national championship-like implications.
History repeated itself on Saturday, with the Wolverines strutting out of Michigan Stadium with one hand on the Big Ten crown, vanquishing their nearby rivals by a score of 30-24.
It was a game filled with highlights; Marvin Harrison Jr. and Blake Corum showed out, etching their name into the rivalry's storied history with moments of brilliance.
Corum, who ran for 88 yards and two rushing scores on 22 carries, delivered the coup de grace to shatter Buckeyes hearts in the third quarter, slipping by Ohio State safety Sonny Styles to reach the end zone.
MORE: Michigan holds off Ohio State 30-24
It was a seismic score, not just because it put Big Blue up for good, but because of what Corum pulled off after his act.
Corum found the cameras as he paced around the edge. Then, he stuck his fingers up in ecstasy. First, a '6'. Then, a '5.'
Blake Corum flashes 65 to the camera after scoring his touchdown to honor Michigan teammate Zak Zinter who was just carted off in this game 〽️ pic.twitter.com/MWOsE2Wc9v
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 25, 2023
After Zak Zinter was carted off the field due to injury, the very next snap Blake Corum broke away for a TD run and the @UMichfootball sideline was loving it ❤️〽️ pic.twitter.com/BaNUmfNPNT
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 25, 2023
The reason why? Michigan star offensive guard Zak Zinter. The hulking blocker went down with a gruesome leg injury just a play before and had to be carted to the locker room.
As he left the field, Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy wrapped Zinter's mom — who was attending the game as a part of Michigan's Senior Day celebrations — in a warm embrace.
J.J. McCarthy went to give Zak Zinter's parents a hug after their son was carted off the field ❤️@UMichfootball pic.twitter.com/qV8jDsOTCB
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 25, 2023
Zinter is one of the best offensive linemen in the country, predicted by many to hear his name called in the first round of next year's NFL Draft. He's also one of Michigan's many senior leaders, one of a few players (alongside the likes of Corum and Jaylen Harrell) to bring the program back after a subpar 2-4 COVID season in 2020.
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Corum detailed his gesture, as well as the love he has for Zinter, in his postgame press conference.
"Seeing him go down in the last game hurt," Corum said, per the Inside Zone's Matt Fortuna. "We came together. We knew we had to do it for him. And the next play, boom."
Zinter's absence will be felt, undoubtedly. But if Saturday showed anything to the masses of college football fanatics, it's this: the Wolverines for real. And even if Zinter isn't with them on the field, he's there in spirit, a 12th man hoping to propel Michigan to a first national championship since 1997.