Inside Rod Moore’s famous pick, post-OSU whirlwind
Michigan junior safety Rod Moore said it before his team took the field for Ohio State’s last drive — “somebody has to make a play.” The Wolverines were clinging to a 30-24 lead and got a huge boost from the offense and kicker James Turner’s field goal that took time off the clock and left the Buckeyes in need of a touchdown to win.
What happened in the next few minutes secured Moore’s place as a ‘The Game’ legend for life. His legacy in Ohio … well, is a bit more complicated, even among some of his family, his interception to secure the victory leading to a whirlwind month.
“Right before they came out, I was telling the guys up front they’ve got to get to the quarterback for us, because it would make it a harder throw for them,” Moore recalled. “I think they got those 2 or 3 completions right before they threw the interception, and that review after we punched the ball out (for an apparent fumble) … II thought it was incomplete and I was like, ‘oh.’ Honestly, when I walked back out there with 30 seconds, I was like, ‘somebody has to stop the play right now, or it might not look too good.’
But all the film work Moore puts in — Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh praised Moore as one who spends more time on it than anyone — would pay off. When the Buckeyes lined up in a familiar formation, he was ready for it.
“I saw the two slot receivers over to my left. They were running a route concept called ‘watch us’ they were doing the whole entire time,” Moore continued. “As soon as they moved across my face, I knew [OSU receiver] Marvin [Harrison Jr.] was coming in. I looked and I saw him break in. I looked back, and I saw the ball short. I just saw it and I was like, ‘oh yeah.’”
Moore knew someone had gotten to the quarterback to make Kyle McCord — he just didn’t know who. It added another layer to the now famous play when he found out it was senior edge Jaylen Harrell.
“I thought it was Mason [Graham], because when I was running I saw Mason standing there, but everybody else was telling me it was Jaylen,” Moore said; “But that’s the guy I was really telling when I first said initially, ‘you’ve got to get to the quarterback.’ And he did.”
The weeks following included an uptick in his NIL opportunities, including merchandise sales of shirts saying, “called game.” Going back to Ohio over the holidays, though, was a highlight. His parents converted from scarlet and gray to maize and blue when he signed, Moore said, tossing all their OSU gear. But his extended family had a much tougher time with it.
“I went back last week for Christmas. All my family keeps telling me they weree happy and mad on that day,” Moore said with a laugh. “They were happy I caught it, but they were mad because Ohio State lost. It was crazy, honestly, just walking past people. Some people recognized who I was and asked me to take a picture, but some people were like, ‘that’s what he did against Ohio State.’ It felt good being back at home.”
Especially being 3-0 against the Buckeyes. No matter what his next step is, coming back for his senior year or going to the NFL, he’s going to leave Michigan with a winning record against his home state Buckeyes.
“[Being 3-0] means a lot, especially being from Ohio,” Moore said. “I always remember this every day, every time we beat them — when I committed to Michigan and signed, all my friends and family told me I would never beat Ohio State. I told them when I went to Michigan, we would never lose to Ohio State. So far that’s true, and it just feels really good.”
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