1969 Michigan Vs. Ohio State Football Game - First Half

First Half

Ohio State appeared to take control of the game right from the opening kickoff, when Rex Kern kept the ball and ran for 25 yards on the first play from scrimmage. Jim Otis would carry the next three plays for another first down. The Buckeyes got the ball to the Michigan 11, when the Wolverine defense ended the drive on a fourth down-and-two to take over. Michigan failed to get a first down, and the Buckeyes would get the ball back and get on the scoreboard first, on a 1-yard touchdown run by Otis. A missed extra-point left the score 6-0 in favor of the scarlet-and-gray.

Glenn Doughty would return the kickoff to the Michigan 44, and Don Moorhead would lead a drive downfield, primarily getting the ball to tight end and captain Jim Mandich. Once Michigan got the ball to the Ohio State 3, Schembechler called a basic off-tackle play, and Garvie Craw would score to tie it up. The Frank Titus extra-point put Michigan ahead (and Ohio State behind for the first time this season) 7-6.

Ohio State shook the score off and began a drive that carried over into the second quarter. Kern would lead the Buckeyes downfield again, hitting Larry Zelina and Jan White, who would score and put Ohio State up 12-7. The extra-point was kicked, but Michigan was called for offsides, and Hayes tried for a two-point conversion, which failed.

Michigan started the next possession at their own 33. Once they reached the Ohio State 33, Michigan ran a tailback draw, and Billy Taylor gained 28 yards to the Buckeye 5. Two plays later, Craw punched into the end zone to put Michigan ahead 14-12.

After Ohio State went three-and-out on their next possession, punter Mike Sensibaugh kicked to Michigan's Barry Pierson, who began his career game by returning the punt all the way to the Buckeye 3-yard line, sending Michigan Stadium into delirium. Morehead scored two plays later on an option play, and it was 21-12 in favor of the maize-and-blue.

The Buckeyes got the ball going again, but their next possession ended on the Wolverine 36. Michigan drove down the field again and Schembechler went for it on a fourth-and-three on the Ohio State 3. Morehead tossed to Mandich for a touchdown, but it was called back on an illegal procedure penalty. Ted Killian kicked the field goal to put Michigan up at the half 24-12.