Trailing in "The Game", the Ohio State Buckeyes started the second quarter off well, receiving a punt and beginning their drive at the 30 yard line. After an incomplete pass to Jordan Hall, Braxton Miller rushed for 24 yards into Michigan territory. After a couple more short plays, Dan Herron was blown up for a loss of two yards, holding the ball for less than a second after the handoff. On third and seven, Miller went deep to DeVier Posey off of play action to the endzone, but it was brutally overthrown and the Buckeyes were forced to settle for a field goal.
Drew Basil came out and drilled the 45 yard attempt, bringing the game to 16-10, with the Buckeyes trailing. Michigan took back over, and after a couple rushes, Denard Robinson coughed up yet another fumble, this one being recovered by Ohio State's Travis Howard, setting the Buckeyes up with great field position.
Braxton Miller took advantage of it, eventually going for a beautiful quarterback run up the left side, breaking one tackle and scoring on a 19 yard touchdown. The extra point put the Buckeyes back on top 17-16 halfway through the second quarter. Michigan took back over, and immediately started driving. Robinson scampered for 10 yards, and that was immediately followed by a gashing run by Fitzgerald Toussaint, for 46 yards into the Ohio State red zone. After a five yard completion to Martavious Odoms that was reviewed, but confirmed, the Wolverines set up for a first and goal at the OSU six yard line. After a rush for no gain fron Toussaint, Robinson went right up the middle untouched for six yards and a touchdown, taking the lead back 23-17 following the extra point.
The Buckeyes responded with another scoring drive. With the clock running out, Braxton Miller went deep again, to DeVier Posey on a play very similar to the bad overthrow early in the game, but this time hit him for a 43 yard touchdown. The half came to an end with Ohio State leading 24-23.