Ann Arbor, MI (Sports Network) - Chris Wells ran for a career-high 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns, leading seventh-ranked Ohio State to a 14-3 victory over No. 23 Michigan in the latest edition of the storied rivalry between the Big Ten powers.

Wells scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter and added a 62-yard jaunt for a touchdown in the third. He carried 39 times and eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the second time this season, while also putting up the most rushing yards for an Ohio State back in the history of the series.

The Buckeyes (11-1, 7-1 Big Ten) bounced back from last week's stunning home loss to Illinois and beat Michigan for the fourth straight time. Ohio State also captured the Big Ten championship for the third consecutive year -- the last two outright -- and earned at least a trip to the Rose Bowl, unless the Buckeyes can finish in the top two in the BCS standings to reach the national championship game.

"That's special to be able to win the outright Big Ten championship two years in a row, and three years in row being a part of it," said Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel. "I'm pretty proud of those guys for being able to do that away from home after a tough loss a week ago, to show the character these kids have."

Michigan (8-4, 6-2) mustered just 91 yards of total offense and dropped its second straight game. The Wolverines played, perhaps, for the last time at the Big House under head coach Lloyd Carr. There was talk during the week that Carr would step down in the near future, although he didn't address it after the game.

"We had an opportunity to really do something special here for us -- winning this game and everything that goes with it," Carr remarked. "When you fail to do that, the disappointment is very difficult."

Carr has guided Michigan to a record of 121-40 with five Big Ten titles and the 1997 national championship in his 13 seasons. He did, however, drop to 6-7 all-time against Ohio State, including 1-6 against Tressel.

Chad Henne, playing despite a nagging shoulder injury, completed 11-of-34 passes for a mere 68 yards in defeat. Mike Hart returned after missing last week's game against Wisconsin with a right ankle sprain and managed just 44 yards on 18 carries.

"We made too many missed assignments, too many dropped balls, missed blocks, bad cuts," said Hart. "Whatever you want to call it, we just didn't put it together as an offense today. When you don't do that, you aren't going to win games."

Ohio State carried a 7-3 lead into the second half and extended it early in the third quarter.

After Ray Small's 65-yard punt return for an apparent touchdown was wiped out by a holding penalty, Wells broke free for his 62-yard TD scamper to give the Buckeyes a 14-3 edge.

Michigan went three-and-out on each of its next two possessions and Henne left the game to have his injured shoulder checked. Freshman Ryan Mallett didn't fare much better on his only series and Henne returned in the fourth quarter.

Starting at the Ohio State 46 in the first minute of the final period, the Wolverines went backward before punting it away. Michigan didn't reach midfield the rest of the way.

"Our defense was not going to let them control the game with the run," Tressel added. "We did what we needed to do, and 14 points was enough to win the Big Ten."

The Wolverines drew first blood on their second series of the game, as K.C. Lopata kicked a 33-yard field goal with 1:37 to play in the opening quarter.

A trade of punts then left Ohio State with excellent field position at the Michigan 44 early in the second and the Buckeyes took advantage. Todd Boeckman converted 3rd-and-4 with a nine-yard pass to Brian Hartline to keep the series alive early and a 12-yard run by Wells set up a first down at the five-yard line. After a four-yard run by Boeckman, Wells scored on the next play to give the Buckeyes a 7-3 edge.

Neither team managed a serious threat until the final moments of the first half, when the Wolverines had a pair of chances to cut into the deficit.

A punt pinned Ohio State at its own four and the Buckeyes quickly punted it back to Michigan, which started from midfield with 2:17 left in the half. The Wolverines failed to produce a first down and gave it back to Ohio State.

The Buckeyes reached their own 46 before Brandent Englemon picked off a Boeckman pass and returned the interception 33 yards to the Ohio State 34 with 31 seconds to play. Lopata came on to try a 48-yard field goal that came up just short as time expired.

Boeckman finished just 7-of-13 through the air for 50 yards.