Wisconsin (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at No.9 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten)
COLUMBUS – So much for the perfect season.
It seemed like a tall order coming into the Horseshoe and knocking off the ninth-ranked Buckeyes, but the Badgers’ offense out gained Ohio State the defense contained sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor.
The good news ended there for Wisconsin, as junior quarterback Scott Tolzien’s two interceptions were returned for Ohio State touchdowns and return specialists Ray Small found a seem in UW’s iffy kickoff coverage to return a 96-yard kick for a touchdown, three contributors that led to the Badgers suffering their first setback of the season.
The Buckeyes No.1 rush defense was able to limit Wisconsin’s No.1 rushing offense to under 140 rushing yards, a number split between four players.
The Badgers fall to 5-1, 2-1 Big Ten while Ohio State (5-1, 3-0) remains perfect in the conference.
Badger Nation, the Internet’s No.1 source for Wisconsin football, post game coverage
Stories from Badger Nation
Game Story: Wisconsin Gives Away 21 points, undefeated record
UW defense does its job
Notes: Trick Plays Work Again in Columbus
more to come!
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Head Coach Bret Bielema
QB Scott Tolzien
DT J.J. Watt
RB John Clay
LG John Moffitt
First Half
First Quarter
7-0 Ohio State
Coleman 89-yard interception return (Aaron Pettrey kick)
Key Play: Finally getting the offense in rhythm, moving the chains twice to get deep in Ohio State territory, Tolzien overthrown his receiver and it goes right to DB Kurt Coleman, who takes it the distance.
Second Quarter
7-7
4 plays, 12 yards, 2:01 TOP, 10:20 left
Chris Maragos 9-yard run (Welch kick)
Key Play: Turnovers playing a big key early on, and it was Wisconsin's turn to make an impact. Terrelle Pryor showed his youth by telegraphing a throw to the flat, a play middle linebacker Culmer St. Jean easily read. The junior picked off the pass and returned it 13 yards down to the OSU 12. Lining up for a 26-yard field goal, Chris Maragos, the holder, takes the direct snap around the left corner for the touchdown.
10-7 Wisconsin
14 plays, 45 yards, 6:53 TOP, 1:53 left
FG Welch 50
Key Play: The Badgers decided to roll the dice on fourth-and-one near midfield, choosing to run the ball against the conference's top rush defense. Of course, the Buckeyes haven't seen a back like Clay, who bullied his way for a four-yard gain and kept the drive moving.
14-10 Ohio State
7 plays, 88 yards, 1:12 TOP, :40 left
DeVier Posey 32-yard pass from Pryor (Pettrey kick)
Key Play: Pryor saw DeVier Posey in one-on-one coverage against Antonio Fenelus and took advantage. Posey showed good concentration and Fenelus made the mistake of playing the man, not the ball, resulting in a touchdown.
Second Half
Third Quarter
21-10 Ohio State
Hines 32-yard interception return (Pettrey kick)
Key Play: Ohio State free safety Jermale Hines with an athletic play, tipping the Tolzien pass up in the air and into his arms. With a convoy in front of him, Hines returns it 32 yards for the score.
21-13 Ohio State
5 plays, 40 yards, 1:56 TOP, 10:06 left
FG Welch 46
Key Play: Tolzien quickly shook off the second interception, hitting a wide-open Nick Toon along the UW sideline for a 33-yards gain, UW's longest play of the day, getting the Badgers back in OSU territory.
28-13 Ohio State
Ray Small 97-yard kickoff return (Pettrey kick)
Key Play: UW's special teams have been playing with fire all season long. Ray Small finally burned them, running right up the gut and blowing by everybody for an easy touchdown.
Fourth Quarter
31-13 Ohio State
9 plays, 60 yards, 4:08 TOP, 12:32 left
FG Pettrey 37
Key Play: Ohio State, being outgained by over a 2-to-1 margin, finally started to flex its muscles on offense. Brandon Saine, who had been limited to 12 yards through three quarters, ripped off a 31-yard gain to get the Buckeye offense into the red zone for the first time.