JT Was Short

On November 26, 2016, at Ohio Stadium, No. 2 Ohio State defeated No. 3 Michigan 30-27 in double overtime. The Buckeyes improved to 11-1 (8-1 Big Ten). Michigan finished the regular season 10-2 (7-2). Attendance was 110,045.

This marked Ohio State’s fifth consecutive victory in the rivalry and the first overtime game in the series history.

Regulation: Michigan Leads, Buckeyes Tie Late

The first quarter was scoreless. Michigan opened the scoring in the second with a 28-yard field goal by Kenny Allen. Malik Hooker returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown to give Ohio State a 7-3 lead. Khalid Hill’s 1-yard run just before halftime put Michigan ahead 10-7.

In the third quarter, Wilton Speight connected with Hill on an 8-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 17-7. Mike Weber answered with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 17-14. Tyler Durbin’s 23-yard field goal with one second remaining in regulation tied the game at 17-17.

Overtime: Buckeyes Prevail

In the first overtime, J.T. Barrett scored on a 7-yard run to put Ohio State ahead 24-17. Michigan responded with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Speight to Amara Darboh on fourth down, tying the score at 24-24.

In the second overtime, Allen’s 37-yard field goal gave Michigan a 27-24 lead. Curtis Samuel’s 15-yard touchdown run on the subsequent possession secured the 30-27 victory for Ohio State, after a controversial first down on a rush by JT Barrett.

Statistical and Contextual Notes

Barrett finished with 15-of-32 passing for 124 yards and one interception, while adding 30 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown. Samuel contributed 54 rushing yards and the game-winning score. Speight completed 23 of 36 passes for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. De’Veon Smith led Michigan rushers with 60 yards; Darboh had eight receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. Michigan recorded eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

Ohio State outrushed Michigan 206–91 and generated 330 total yards to Michigan’s 310. The Buckeyes overcame early offensive struggles and a 10-point deficit to force overtime and win on the final possession.

In the broader context of the rivalry, the 2016 meeting stands as one of the most dramatic modern editions of The Game. It highlighted the physical defensive intensity of both programs under Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh while showcasing late-game resilience from Ohio State. The double-overtime result extended the Buckeyes’ series streak, added extreme controversy, and remains a landmark contest for its competitive balance and historical first (overtime in the rivalry).