Five years ago today, Ohio State notched one of the most iconic wins in the history of the rivalry.
The No. 2 ranked Buckeyes hosted No. 3 Michigan in one of the most high-stakes editions of the rivalry to date, and the game lived up to the hype.
The teams battled in a narrow, back-and-forth game that featured momentum swings, key turnovers, and gut-wrenching moments before Ohio State ultimately prevailed in double overtime on an iconic touchdown from Curtis Samuel.
This game wasn't always fun. It was nerve-racking, at times.
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) November 26, 2021
But the first OT game in the rivalry couldn't have ended any better.#OTD 5 years ago, Curtis Samuel sent @OhioStateFB fans home happy. pic.twitter.com/OdCM9uF9pR
It was glorious. And in case you want to soak in some good vibes before Ohio State and Michigan run it back this year with similar stakes, here's are some of the 2016 game's best memories.
You're a Wizard, Curtis
Everyone remembers Curtis Samuel's dagger touchdown to end it, and J.T. Barrett's run on fourth down. But the truth is, neither would have been possible if not for Samuel's Houdini act on third-and-1 immediately before those two plays.
“I can’t even tell you how that happened,” Samuel said after the game. “I gotta go back and look at that one. I had to go and make a play for my team and it happened.”
“Coaches give me the ball to make plays,” Samuel said. “They don’t give me the ball to go three yards, four yards, two yards. They give me the ball to score.”
Peppers Punches Fan, Stopped by Kerry Coombs
It was not a good day for Jabrill Peppers.
Leading up to the game, Peppers told reporters that Michigan would hit Curtis Samuel and test Ohio State physically, but the biggest hit he would register all day came after the game when he punched a fan in the mouth.
But never fear – Kerry Coombs was there to intervene.
“Shit Happens, Bum Juice”
Every Michigan Man was big mad following the game, and that includes Wolverine All-American cornerback Jourdan Lewis.
Lewis sent a postgame text to fellow Cass Tech alum Mike Weber after the game asking what round in the upcoming draft they expected their refs to go.
Mike Weber's response was nothing short of iconic.
go away @JourdanJD pic.twitter.com/3eAU0AzJep
— Mike Weber (@mikeweberjr) November 26, 2016
Lewis, like many Wolverines both before and after him, finished his career 0-4 against Ohio State. With this clap-back from Weber, you can go ahead and make that 0-5.
“Blood on the Field”
Speaking of Michigan Men going winless against the Buckeyes, we can't let Kyle Kalis go unmentioned.
Kalis famously decommitted from Ohio State during the program's Tatgate sanctions. He later committed to Michigan and delivered a quote that is now legendary for reasons he never imagined.
"There will be blood on the field and it won't be mine. … Quote it. Let them know."– Kyle Kalis on Ohio State
Kalis finished a perfect 0-5 against Ohio State. I guess he helped the Buckeyes earn a few Gold Pants, after all!
“Bitterly Disappointed”
Nobody will need a reminder of the complete temper tantrum Jim Harbaugh threw following the loss, but you just can't talk about this game without bringing it up.
It started during the game when Harbaugh was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after flinging his play cards on the field and breaking his headset following a correct offsides call. His antics ultimately aided Ohio State in scoring a crucial touchdown.
And it continued after the final whistle, as Harbaugh's entire postgame press conference was a masterpiece in schadenfreude, and it's become one of the most iconic moments of his Michigan tenure.
Here's hoping he's just as "bitterly disappointed" at about 4 p.m. on Saturday.
