On November 23 2017, Michigan and Ohio State met for the 114th time in the biggest rivalry in all of sports known simply as The Game. Coming into the game, both Michigan and Ohio State had both had underperforming seasons but were looking to finish the regular season with a big win.

I was fortunate enough to go to the game, and what a game it was. Before the game the stadium was electric and you could feel the intensity of this amazing rivalry.

In the first quarter, Michigan played perfectly, allowing -6 total yards and 0 first downs on defense. They also scored a touchdown which was a 2 yard run by the fullback Khalid Hill.

Early in the second Michigan scored again when the Wolverines quarterback John O’Korn connected from 3 yards out to tight end Sean Mckeon. But the Buckeyes would comeback with two touchdowns of their own. The first was a 21 yard scramble from their quarterback J.T. Barret, and the second was a 25 yard pass from Barret to wide receiver Marcus Baugh.

Midway through the third, the Wolverines would regain the lead on a two yard run for a touchdown by running back Karan Higdon. However, the extra pint attempt was blocked, giving Michigan a 6 point lead. But once again the Buckeyes answered back with a 1 yard run by the freshman J.K. Dobbins. They took the lead 21-20.

In the 4th quarter, the Buckeyes controlled the game. Even though Michigan was only down 1 they couldn’t move the ball as well as they could in the first 3 quarters. The strength of the Buckeyes was finally showing. Ohio State would kick a field goal to make it 24-20, but would later miss a field goal to make it a 7 point game.

Despite the poor offense shown in the final quarter, there was still hope for Michigan. Down 4 with 2:37 left on the clock, O’Korn and Michigan were ready to drive down the field for the game winning touchdown.

Except that’s not what happened. Not even close.

As I’m standing in the stands with my friends excited to see Michigan with a chance to win, realty hits. The first play of our game winning drive was an interception. It was a misread play by O’Korn. Instantly, the air was sucked out of Michigan Stadium. We knew we had come up short once again. Ohio State would run out the clock and eventually run for a touchdown making the final score 31-20.

Ohio State finished the regular season 10-2 and will face the Wisconsin Badgers in the B1G Ten Championship next Saturday. As for Michigan they end with a disappointing record of 8-4 in the season. Junior quarterback Wilton Speight opted to transfer schools for his senior year.

Since I’ve been born Michigan has only beaten Ohio State three times. And only one time in the last fourteen years. I’ve only seen Michigan beat Ohio State one time in my life and I hoped the second time I’d see them win would be in person. But like usual, we come up short

And as for witnessing the game in person, sitting in the stands surrounded by 112,000 fans of the maize and blue was a beautiful sight and one I won’t soon forget.