By Emmett Golden

Every year “The Game” seems to live up to it’s expectations. After giving up a couple of big plays to the Wolverine offense the Buckeyes defense clamped down as OSU beat Michigan 26-21. The atmosphere was electric, and so were the playmakers. Here is what I learned during “The Game.”

Big Mistakes -- Leading Michigan in the second quarter 10-7, the Buckeyes fell apart. There was a running into the kicker penalty that got declined because Philly Brown fumbled the punt and the Wolverines recovered the ball on the OSU 25. The defense held up until Noah Spence got called for roughing the passer on third down. Michigan ended up scoring on that possession to take the lead 14-10 in the first half.

Feed Me More -- Denard Robinson loves to feast on the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes scored to take the lead late in the first half 17-14. Two plays later Robinson took the ball 67 yards to put the Wolverines back on top 21-14. Shoelaces finished the first half with 124 yards rushing on 6 carries. After each carry Robinson pretended to eat from a plate. Basically saying he was feasting on the Silver Bullets.

So You Want To Eat? -- Carols Hyde had a monster game, rushing for 146 yards on 26 carries. Late in the game when OSU needed a first down to end the game they went to Hyde. After a big carry from the junior running back he looked at the Michigan bench and pretended to eat from a plate, just like Robinson did earlier in the game. “I saw him doing that little thing, I said to myself, all right, I’m going to show you how to eat,” said Hyde.

Simon On Senior Day -- Rumors were going around that John Simon may not play against Michigan. No one in the press box believed it until we saw him in sweats as the seniors were announced on senior day. It was sad to see a guy that lead by example during his four years at OSU not be able to play in “The Game.” Simon hurt his right knee in the previous week’s game against Wisconsin. “John Simon is who we are,” said head coach Urban Meyer, “We couldn’t get the swelling out, but he rehabbed his butt off.” Simon received a game ball after the game.

Step Up -- With Simon down the OSU defense struggled at the start of the game. They came out after the half and played their best half of the year. The Silver Bullets allowed only 60 yards of total offense in the second half. Just imagine what they could have done with Simon in the line up.