"The Game" started out exactly the way that the Michigan Wolverines did not - trailing the Ohio State Buckeyes 7-0 after a 54 yard touchdown from Braxton Miller to Corey Brown. For a team that hadn't beaten Ohio State since 2003, it was somewhat worrying, but they held in there and responded with a Denard Robinson 41 yard touchdown rush, tying the game at 7-7.
What followed was a good bit of luck and a sizable amount of hilarity, as Ohio State, after an incomplete pass, were called for holding on Zach Boren, then a false start on Jack Mewhort, and after a loss of two on a rushing attempt from Miller, had another holding penalty called on Mike Adams. This final holding call resulted in a safety, putting Michigan up 9-7, and giving them their first lead over Ohio State since Nov. 17, 2007.
Immediately after getting the ball back following the safety, Robinson would hook up with Junior Hemmingway on a 26 yard touchdown pass, and a Brendan Gibbons extra point put them up 16-7. Ohio State were then forced to punt and Michigan took over again as the first quarter came to an end.