COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the Buckeyes prepare to take on Michigan on Saturday in Ohio Stadium, a literal blood battle was brewing between the two schools for several weeks.

Each year since 1982, the schools have had competing blood drives in the month leading up to the big game, and whichever school garners the most donations wins.


What You Need To Know

  • Ohio State and Michigan have competing blood drives to see which school can get the most donations

  • The competition began in 1982

  • David Ritter won tickets and will attend The Game with his wife, daughter and son-in-law 

As an incentive, donors were entered to win tickets to the Ohio State versus Michigan game. This year, Dave Ritter’s name was drawn. 

“I was unbelievably excited,” said Ritter. 

Born and raised in Columbus, Ritter is a diehard Buckeye fan. He had only gone to one game this season, traveling to Maryland last weekend with his family. Ritter didn’t figure he’d get the chance to go to a home game, let alone The Game, but Ritter donated blood on a whim. 

“I was surprised that after all the people who donated that they drew my name from this,” said Ritter. “I was totally blown away.” 

It wasn’t Ritter’s first time donating blood and plasma, but this time, it was part of the annual OSU vs. Michigan Blood Battle: a friendly competition between the schools to see which one can donate the most blood. Ritter hopes his blood donation and presence in Ohio Stadium are good omens for his favorite team. 

“When they said ‘We’re going to Ohio State-Michigan game’, that’s The Game, the best game of the year, no matter what conference you’re in,” said Ritter. “So, with both teams going in undefeated, that makes it that much more special.” 

Ritter will take his wife, his daughter and his son-in-law to The Shoe on Saturday, and is grateful to cheer on his favorite team with his favorite fans, in what he hopes is a sea of scarlet and gray.