marked the regular-season finale for both teams and the season finale for Ohio State due to their post-season ban. The game also marked Urban Meyer's first time as the head coach for the Buckeyes in "The Game" and Michigan head coach Brady Hoke's second game. In their previous meeting, Michigan defeated the Buckeyes 40–34 in 2011, Michigan's first victory over Ohio State since 2003. The Buckeyes opened the game on offense and took six plays to drive 75 yards and score a touchdown on a Carlos Hyde run. With Ohio State taking the early 7–0 lead, Michigan turned to starting quarterback Devin Gardner, who replaced Denard Robinson after his injury a few weeks earlier. Robinson was still used as a running threat throughout the game. On the Wolverines' first drive, Gardner was sacked deep in Ohio State territory, fumbled, giving the ball and the momentum to the Buckeyes. Michigan forced an Ohio State punt, but were penned deep in their own territory. The Wolverines made up for the field position in one play with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Devin Gardner to Roy Roundtree tying the game at seven. On the ensuing Ohio State possession, Braxton Miller gained the majority of the yards through the air and the ground, moving the Buckeyes to the Michigan 24-yard line, allowing Drew Basil to kick the 41-yard field goal and give Ohio State the 10–7 lead. The Wolverines were able to score a touchdown on their first possession of the second quarter, on a Gardner run, switching the lead to Michigan for the first time at 14–10. The Wolverine defense stopped the Buckeyes on their next possession, however, they could not get anything going on their next offensive drive. Towards the end of the second quarter, Ohio State drove 59 yards with Miller completing a touchdown pass to Corey Brown, giving Ohio State the 17–14 lead. Michigan responded quickly with Robinson scoring his first touchdown of the day on a 67-yard run and giving Michigan the lead once again. A Drew Basil field goal in the waning seconds of the first half closed the score, but the Wolverines still led at half time 21–20. Michigan opened the second half with the ball on offense, but were unable to convert on fourth down and turned the ball over to the Buckeyes at midfield. Ohio State was unable to get into the endzone on the