ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Kurt Coleman went out in style.

Not only did the senior co-captain get a win over archrival Michigan that improved him to 4-0 in his career against the Wolverines, but the safety aided the cause with one of his best games of the season — one that included two of the Buckeyes’ four interceptions.

“This is what you dream for,” said Coleman, a three-year starter. “I’ve worked so hard for this. I’m able to say that I left a legacy behind. It was just a great victory. It’s been a dream come true.”

Both of Coleman’s picks were highlight-reel worthy. The first came on a deflection down the sideline. The second came on a deep pass inside the Buckeyes’ 5-yard line that Coleman leapt for and secured as he crashed to the turf near the sideline.

The play was initially ruled an incomplete pass with officials saying Coleman landed out of bounds. It was reviewed and overturned.

“I basically just played the ball,” Coleman said. “I knew I caught it. I just didn’t know if I was inbounds.”

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is going to be sorry to see Coleman go.

“Kurt Coleman’s a good football player, a good leader,” Tressel said. “He’s going to be good at the next level, I think.”

Coleman’s day ended in special fashion when he found his parents in the stands after the victory.

“I knew where they were. I just wanted to give them a hug,” he said. “It was sad, but it was a great way to go out.”

Fan frenzy

The Michigan crowd was especially feisty, showering Ohio State guard Justin Boren, who transferred from Michigan, with obscenities prior to the game and booing the Buckeyes marching band when it took the field for its pregame performance.

Ohio State fans fought back with an attempted O-H-I-O chant at the start of the fourth quarter that was drowned out by boos from Wolverines fans. Michigan fans finally succumbed, as the traditional Buckeyes chant could be heard throughout the stadium in the game’s final moments.

After the win a number of Ohio State players climbed into the stands to celebrate with Buckeye fans, while the band played the White Stripe’s “Seven Nation Army” — a song that is played during games at Ohio Stadium.

The celebration ended with the Buckeyes singing their usual postgame song, “Carmen Ohio.”

Rivalry results

The win was Ohio State’s sixth straight over Michigan and its eighth in the last nine years under Tressel. The Buckeyes’ only loss under Tressel came in 2003 at Michigan Stadium.

The overall series stands in favor of the Wolverines 57-44-6, Michigan going 30-21-4 at home.

What does six straight wins over Michigan mean to Tressel?

“Nothing, because in 2010, I’ll be petrified (about playing Michigan),” he said.

Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez suffered his 13th loss in two seasons in the Big Ten. Tressel has the same number of Big Ten defeats in nine seasons.

Senior spice

It was the final regular-season game for 19 seniors on the Ohio State roster.

The senior class has been one of the most successful in school history, compiling a 43-8 record with four Big Ten titles and two national title game appearances (four BCS bowl trips).

A victory in the Rose Bowl and the Buckeye seniors will post the most wins ever, surpassing the 43 accumulated by classes from 1995-98, 2002-05 and 2005-08.

Tear it down

Saturday was the final game for the Michigan Stadium press box, which will be demolished and rebuilt as part of the renovation to the archaic stadium.

Members of the media were encouraged to sign a tribute poster that will hang in the new press box. Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George, a Big Ten Network analyst, was one of them.

George has less-than-fond memories of the stadium, losing there his senior year when Michigan’s Tim Biakabutuka rushed for 313 yards to lead a shocking upset of second-ranked and unbeaten Ohio State.

The Buckeyes entered their annual meeting with Michigan owning a combined 31-1 record from 1995-97 and lost all three games to the Wolverines over the span.

Buckeye bits

Though the game was officially announced as a sellout (110,922), there were empty pockets of seats at kickoff.

** As expected, Ohio State wore throwback uniforms similar to the 1954 national title team. The ensemble featured white helmets with a red stripe in the middle and black numbers on the sides.

** Cathy Schembechler, the widow of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, took part in the coin toss.

** Ohio State head coaches Tressel, Thad Matta (men’s basketball) and Jim Foster (women’s basketball) are a combined 27-2 against Michigan during their tenures with the Buckeyes.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

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