Last year’s edition of The Game ended with a near-brawl at midfield after Michigan won its fourth straight over Ohio State. So, understandably, this year’s matchup between the last two national champions began with as much intensity as ever.
Michigan star edge rusher Jaishawn Barham was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and nearly thrown out of the game for head-butting a referee in the first quarter, and just a few plays later, Ohio State returned the favor with a headbutt of its own. Only this one didn’t draw a flag at all.
As CJ Donaldson was stopped on the goalline, part of a five-play goalline stand from Michigan to force Ohio State to kick a field goal, Ohio State right tackle Philip Daniels, well, let’s just say, finished his block on Michigan defensive lineman Trey Pierce.
So a little head butt for good measure here? pic.twitter.com/wVjWzOhSnv
— Michael Collins (@MCFanSided) November 29, 2025
Ohio State gets away with blatant headbutt amid Michigan’s goalline stand
Michigan still got its desired outcome, stuffing Ohio State repeatedly as the Buckeyes tried to punch the ball into the end zone to take a 7-6 lead in the first quarter. On fourth down from the half-yard line, after Julian Sayin was stuffed on a quarterback sneak, Ohio State committed a false start that backed the offense up outside the five-yard line and forced Ryan Day to send out his field goal unit.
Daniels’ extra-curricular activity won’t be the last chippy play at the Big House today; the home crowd will just be hoping that the officials catch it when the Buckeyes are the offending party.
Michigan caught a break of its own earlier in the drive when Barham was not ejected for headbutting an official.
Jaishawn Barham was assessed a 15-yard penalty and unsportsmanlike conduct after making contact with an official but was not ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/8XO4AJPz4z
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 29, 2025
Barham is Michigan’s best pass rusher and has been all season. Keeping him in the game is massive for the Wolverines and could have massive repercussions throughout the rest of the afternoon in Ann Arbor.
If Michigan fans had to make that trade: the officials missing a 15-yard penalty on Ohio State for Barham to stay in the game, you’d have to think they’d make it 10 times out of 10.