Rod Moore reaches over Fairmont defensive back Jaylen Razor to catch a 41 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cade Rice just inside the back of the end zone to help lead the Thunderbolts to a 20-6 victory over the Firebirds on Sept. 4, 2020.
Ron Nunnari | Register-Herald
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Rod Moore, a 2021 graduate of Northmont High School, sealed Michigan’s 30-24 victory Saturday over Ohio State by intercepting a pass by Buckeyes quarterback Kyle McCord with 27 seconds left in the game.
McCord faced an intense pass rush by the Wolverines defense as he attempted to get a pass to the Buckeyes top receiver, Marvin Harrison, Jr. Linebacker Jaylen Harrell hit McCord as he began to release the pass.
The hit by Harrell knocked McCord backwards as he released the ball and it affected the velocity of the pass. The ball wobbled as Harrison cut across the right hashmark to try to make the catch.
Moore was in the center of the field anticipating the pass to Harrison and dove in front of Harrison to make the interception at the 21 yard line to kill OSU’s effort to mount a last minute comeback.
Speaking to FOX Sports after the game, Moore reflected on his history making interception that led the Wolverines to a third straight victory over the Buckeyes.
“Before the play I told myself, we gotta game it, somebody has to be the person to call game,” Moore said. “I saw the progression of the route and the quarterback’s eyes and the ball came and I said, ‘Oh, game!’ I caught it and that’s that. Made history.”
Moore wasn’t recruited by Ohio State making his game ending interception even more satisfying.
“I really can’t put it into words how I’m feeling,” Moore said. “Just being a three-peat and being from Ohio, it feels great. Especially them guys not recruiting me when I was coming out of high school. Just being able to beat them and get the get-back on them feels so good.”
The No. 3 Wolverines victory over No. 2 ranked OSU clinched the Big Ten East title. Michigan advances to the 2023 Big Ten championship game against Iowa this Saturday in Indianapolis while keeping the Wolverines alive in the College Football Playoff conversation.
Moore, who played both defensive back and wide receiver for Northmont, had 28 solo tackles and 15 assists during his senior year and caught 28 passes for 440 yards and eight touchdowns.
Reach Ron Nunnari by email: [email protected].
