The Buckeyes defeated the Wolverines this year with a score of 2,160 to 1,751.
This competition was not for points scored on the gridiron - it was for pints of blood collected in the 15th annual Blood Battle between the Ohio State University and University of Michigan chapters of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and the American Red Cross.
For the past two weeks, students donated blood in various residence halls and the Michigan Union.
"Regardless of who won the competition, we could always use more blood," said APO member Jeff Firestone, an LSA sophomore. "The turnout was reassuring."
However, some APO members noticed a decrease in blood donors from previous years.
"This year I saw a little bit less student activity," said Education junior Angela Bolden, who volunteered during this year's collection drive.
APO members cited a variety of reasons for the lower number of student donors.
"I think there wasn't as much publicity as last year," said Eugene Paik, an LSA senior.
Dawn Osterholt, an APO member who coordinated the event last year and volunteered this year, said there may be other reasons for the slightly lower turnout.
"One factor is the weather," said Osterholt, an LSA senior. "Two years ago the weather was much better."
Osterholt said approximately 500 more students donated blood in 1995's Blood Battle than this year.
Despite the low turnout, many were pleased with the efforts of the volunteers.
"From the volunteering side, the response was very good," Firestone said. "It made it possible to do a drive this large."
Students from other groups also participated in the blood drive.
"This year we had many more student volunteers from the Red Cross and Project Community," said APO member Michelle Lehan, an Education senior.
At OSU, many students got involved in the competition.
"We've gotten great support on campus," said Tammy O'Nill, the communications manager for American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region. "A marketing class helped us in executing our campaign."
O'Nill attributed much of the student participation to the competition between the universities.
"The rivalry really gets this town going," O'Nill said. "We did not do as well on the field, though."
Justin Busch, a local APO member, agreed the rivalry is a factor in student donations.
"It seems like that is one of the things that inspires people to do it," said Busch, an Engineering senior.
Ohio State's victory places them ahead with eight victories compared to the University's seven.
APO plans to hold another blood drive next semester.