Ohio State Buckeyes Rely on Defense for Wisconsin Win

If you saw the statistics from the Ohio State v Wisconsin game this past weekend you would think the Badgers won the game as they had more first downs, more third down conversions, more fourth down conversions, double the total yards, more than double the total plays, more yards rushing, more yards passing, and less punts. But when you get to the interceptions and the fumbles, the 2 interceptions by the Buckeyes (both returned for touchdowns) and the 2 fumbles by the Badgers gives you most of the details that determined the final score.

By Steve Patterson

Wisconsin was consistently able to move the ball on the Ohio State team Saturday in Ohio Stadium while the Buckeyes had trouble gaining yardage for most of the game. But big plays made the difference including a Ray Small 96 yard kick return for a touchdown and two interceptions returned for touchdowns by OSU. Ohio State moves into the top spot in the Big Ten after the win with Wisconsin slipping to third behind Iowa.

Kurt Coleman Returns

The excitement began in the first quarter when starting Safety Kurt Coleman returned an interception from Scott Tolzien 89 yards for a touchdown. Kurt Coleman returned from a one game suspension for a late hit against Illinois to make his presence felt early. His defensive teammates created a great wall of blockers to allow Coleman to score with some ease.

Wisconsin Fights Back

The Badgers came back and scored on a long drive with a Chris Maragos run from 9 yards out to tie the game at 7-7. Another Wisconsin drive in the 2nd quarter resulted in a 50-yard field goal by Phillip Welch. The three point deficit spurred the most competitive drive by the Ohio State offense on the day as DeVier Posey made a number of nice catches from Terrelle Pryor including a 32 yard touchdown pass. The teams went into half-time at 14-10, Buckeyes.

Big Plays Benefit Buckeyes

The second half continued with the same type of Buckeye big play ability as the first half displayed with Jermale Hines intercepting a Scott Tolzien pass and returning it 32 yards for a touchdown. Another Badger drive resulted in a field goal which produced the kick off that Small returned for a touchdown and put the nails in the coffin for a Wisconsin team that had hoped to upset their Big Ten foes on the road.