If it was a death, it was a mesmerizing death. It was an end fitting for a game that somehow made everyone believe again.

Brady Hoke went for it. He didn’t have to, and he even had a chance to change his mind. Michigan lined up for a two-point conversion to win the game. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer called a timeout. Hoke polled his seniors in the huddle. They all said to go for it.

It was a mesmerizing, brilliant death, but that doesn’t ease the pain, not for Devin Gardner, who was so despondent after the 42-41 loss to Ohio State, with his helmet pulled low over his face, that he needed Kevin Koger to escort him as he meandered in a daze off the field, and then sobbed so loudly it echoed down Michigan’s tunnel. His pain was raw and endearing and real.

It didn’t ease the pain for Hoke, whose eyes were as red as the thousands of Buckeye fans in the Big House. They had come expecting a rout, snatching tickets from Michigan fans who had long ago abandoned hope.

It didn’t ease the pain for Taylor Lewan, the fifth-year senior offensive tackle, who nearly choked up during his press conference.

“I love every single one of these guys,” said Lewan, whose last play at Michigan Stadium was the most wrenching. His voiced wavered. He turned to Jake Ryan and tapped Ryan’s arm with his fist. “He’s my best friend.”

Hoke went for it, because “we wanted to go win the football game,” he said, and good for him. The walls have been closing in during this nightmare of a month. The team has underperformed — regressed even — and some have called for Hoke’s job, or the job of his offensive coordinator or that of his offensive line coach. Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon had to issue a statement of support for Hoke on Wednesday. The star recruit chose the other team and another said he might reconsider Michigan. Why? He’s worried about Hoke’s job. But Hoke went for it.

It was a rub route, the same one they practiced this week. Gardner in the shotgun, with Devin Funchess, Jeremy Gallon and Drew Dileo stacked to his right. Funchess ran a post, Gallon an out. It was supposed to create space for Dileo, the little, sure-handed receiver who always seems to be forgotten until the biggest moments. Dileo would surely make the catch, because he always does.

But Tyvis Powell jumped the route. Dileo never had a chance.

“I threw an interception to lose the game,” said Gardner, who put his chin on his fist in his press conference. He hardly spoke above a mumble. “There’s not really much else I can say.”

After the pass, Gardner crumpled to the ground, spent. He stayed there, his arms and legs extended out. That’s what you’ll remember, because that’s the image that will last. This one hurts just like the loss last year, maybe even more. A win wouldn’t have cured the offensive line or erased any losses. But it would’ve helped a lot. It would’ve erased some of the sting from a disappointing season. It would’ve put to rest any coaching rumors. So, yes, you’ll remember Gardner on the ground, because that’s what matters, but don’t forget the rest. Don’t forget how it made you believe, and Hoke too. It was a painful end, but Michigan lived it well.

Maybe you allowed yourself to think this will be a game after all, after the screen to Gallon on the first drive. The fight, Hoke running out to separate his players, the punches and the double middle fingers made it personal.

Hoke went for it because he wanted it as bad as his players. He wanted it as bad as Gardner, who threw a touchdown pass to Dileo down 14 in the fourth quarter. Afterward, Gardner tried to run off the field, limping so badly he nearly fell over on the sideline. Taylor Lewan came off limping after that play too, and bloody again. Most of these players are playing through injury because they don’t care how many losses they have. They just want to beat Ohio State.

By the time Carlos Hyde fumbled, and the clock showed plenty of time, and Gardner was fighting with everything he had left and the breaks started turning Michigan’s way, a ripple went through the stadium.

Then Jake Butt scored and then Funchess, and then the timeout and it seemed like destiny.

It was a hell of a death, but it was a hell of a game too, right up until the end. For the best three hours of the year, 7-4 Michigan was on top of the world.

So Hoke went for it. It was ballsy, and it was risky, and it didn’t work out. But that’s what you do when what you want is right there to take.

You go for it. You go for it every damn time.

Helfand can be reached at zhelfand@umich.edu and on Twitter @zhelfand