As the final seconds ticked off the Camp Randall stadium scoreboard, the Buckeyes helplessly watched their national title hopes disappear into the cool, night air. Ohio State was never able to overcome an early 21 - point deficit, and OSU now hopes they can salvage something positive out of a season that can no longer live up to expectations.
Although Ohio State was able to pull within 3 points early in the 4th quarter, their fate was probably sealed late in the 2nd quarter. Twice, in the waning moments of the opening half, the Buckeyes had possession of the football deep in Wisconsin territory, but they scored a total of one field goal. OSU failed to make up for those missed opportunities.
While dreams of a national championship were slipping through Ohio State's collective grasp, the Badgers were punching giant holes in Terrelle Pryor's Heisman Trophy candidacy. Pryor struggled all night in the passing department, and he never got on track with the running part of his game. The performance drove home the fact that Pryor is simply not a big - time college quarterback.
Adding insult to injury, the Buckeyes lost Ross Homan to an ankle injury. Homan did not look to be seriously hurt, but he is expected to miss a couple of weeks.
The Badger faithful were quickly sent into a frenzy when David Gilreath returned the game's opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. The play was one more example of Ohio State's incompetence on special teams.
Momentum continued to shift Wisconsin's way as they put the ball in the end zone on each of their next two series. The powerful running of John Clay and James White tore through the Buckeyes' vaunted defense, and after Clay and White reached pay dirt one time apiece, the Badgers led, 21 - 0.
At this point Ohio State was in an obvious state of shock, but they promptly bounced back. Dan "Boom" Herron carried OSU down the field with his powerful running, and the Buckeyes eventually reached the UW 3 - yard line. However, this was when Ohio State began to miss out on those aforementioned opportunities. Conservative play - calling led to a Devin Barclay 21 - yard field goal, which did little to aid OSU's comeback bid.
Following an Andrew Sweat interception of Scott Tolzien on Wisconsin's ensuing possession, the Buckeyes once again had favorable field position. Ohio State's offense, though, mustered virtually nothing in terms of yardage, and, to make matters worse, Barclay hooked a 41 - yard field goal attempt to the left. As a result, OSU went to the locker room with their undefeated record in serious jeopardy.
As the 3rd quarter began it was apparent that the Buckeyes were a changed team. They no longer looked rattled by the hostile crowd, and the increase in confidence resulted in an offensive explosion for Ohio State early in the 2nd half. A combination of Pryor passes to Dane Sanzenbacher and Herron runs kept the Wisconsin defense off balance. A pair of Herron TD scampers from 13 and 1 yard out, respectively, got OSU back in the contest. After Herron's second score, the Buckeyes went for two, and Pryor floated a perfect pass to Reid Fragel. Ohio State was now within a field goal and more than 11 minutes remained in the game.
The Badgers, though, responded with a with a knockout punch - a 10 play, 73 - yard drive that was capped off by White's 12 - yard touchdown run.
A late field goal set the final score at 31 - 18 and moments later the fans stormed the field to celebrate a shocking win over the top - ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
Words can not even begin to describe the disappointment that permeated the the Buckeyes' locker room in the wake of the upset loss in Madison. Hopefully Ohio State can rebound and win at least a share of their 6th consecutive Big Ten championship.
Player of the Game
Dane Sanzenbacher: 6 receptions, 94 yards, 0 touchdowns
Sanzenbacher's toughness was on full display as he repeatedly made difficult catches despite harsh hits from opposing defenders. The senior wide receiver also bailed out Terrelle Pryor several times by making great grabs fo poorly thrown balls.
Play of the Game
David Gilreath's 97 - yard kickoff return TD in the 1st quarter
Ohio State's special teams have been anything but special this season, and it finally hurt the Buckeyes in a big game. The wind seemed to go right out of OSU's sails after Gilreath raced to the end zone on the opening kickoff.
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