It might have been the biggest game of the season. You knew it, the team knew it, all of Buckeye Nation knew it. Your boys delivered with a 31-24 (not as close as it looked beat-down) of the Wisconsin Badgers. Wanna know how it all went down? You've come to the right place. This is your Wisconsin Debriefing.
Water cooler prep (everything you need to know…in one paragraph or two)
The Buckeye defense came out swinging forcing a three and out followed by a ridiculously efficient 4 play, 55 yard drive capitalized by a 25 yard TD pass to Evan Spencer. Welcome back Braxton. The two teams then traded possessions before giving up a 36 yard TD pass to Jared Abbrederis to knot the game at 7-7. Not content with a tie score, Miller tossed a beautiful 26 yard pass to Devin Smith to go up 14-7. End of first quarter. On the very next play of the game Joel Stave hit Abbrederis for a 64 yard gain. However, some solid D coupled with a missed FG ended in a goose-egg for the Badgers. The game stalled at 14-7 before Drew Basil hit a 45 yard field goal to put the Scarlet and Gray up 17-7. The Badgers answered on the next drive with a heavy dose of Abbrederis ending in a TD to bring the game closer at 17-14. The Buckeyes were clearly losing momentum, but a 71 yard drive ending in a 40 yard Miller to Philly Brown TD helped bolster the Buckeyes’ spirits heading into halftime.
To start the third, the Buckeyes received the ball and took it all the way down to the Wisconsin 38, but were forced to punt. The two teams then traded possessions before Bradley Roby intercepted a pass at the Wisconsin 47 giving the Buckeyes the ball at the Badger 32. The short field allowed the Scarlet and Gray to score in just seven plays with a Miller to Brown nifty 1-yard TD. 31-14 Buckeyes. On the Badgers’ next possession RB James White took it in for a TD to narrow the game at 31-21. That’s where the score would stay until roughly two minutes left in the game when Badger kicker Kyle French would hit a 42 yard FG to bring Wisconsin within a TD. When all was said and done, those would be the final points as the Buckeyes defeated the No. 23 team in the nation to improve their winning streak to 17-0.
#KarmaTalk Before The Game
The national media thinks we haven’t played anyone, but you can only play the teams on your schedule. You know...the teams that were scheduled eight years ago.
What’s Braxton’s mobility gonna be like with that knee brace?
Wisconsin has the nation’s leading rusher…but who have they played?
Nice test for the defense. Looking forward to it
VIPS in Attendance
If you’re Ohio State, you have the greatest basketball player in the league giving your team a pre-game speech, then roaming your sideline. That’s a given. In addition, the Buckeyes welcomed the largest list of current and potential commits of any game all season. Just look at the roster compiled by our very own Jordan Wagner. Excessive pyrotechnics + alternate jerseys + a win = strong returns for Ohio State football recruiting.
Talk in The Aftermath
Wait…Wisconsin had the nation’s leading rusher???
If this offense keeps their foot on the gas they can keep up with any team in the country.
This is the first time this offense was at full strength. They’ll only get better.
This team refuses to lose. 17-0!!!!!!!
Give That Man A Buckeye Leaf (Player of The Game)
Your player of the game is Braxton Miller folks. Facing a constant wave of doubt the past few weeks, all Braxton did was come out against one of the best teams in the B1G and throw for 4 TDs while rushing for 83 yards. Thanks for showing the nation why you deserve the starting spot. No disrespect to the Smooth Sensation, but Braxton is the truth.
Did You See That?! (Play Of The Game)
Did you see this?! I mean seriously did you see this? I thought it was picked off before I realized it was just Braxton being Braxton.
When you Sank Into Your Chair (The Moment Buckeye Football Disgraced Your Family)
Immediately following a beautiful pass by one Braxton Miller. Joel Stave was given time and found Jared Abbrederis for a 64 yard gain. Completely busted coverage my friends. Abbrederis was their only weapon and they found him all night. SHORE THAT UP D!!!!!
Jim Tressel’s Least Favorite Moment Of The Game
While working his way through Ken Burn’s The National Parks: America’s Best Idea Series Tressel realized the Buckeyes had a 3rd and three at the OSU 46. "RUN THE FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!" Tressel screamed but Urban’s squad failed to listen, passing the football for a 7-yard gain to Philly Brown for a 1st down. Tressel slumped back into his olive green love seat and whispered, “play the percentages” to the sky as Ellen delivered him a glass of warm milk in his favorite Akron Zips thermos.
What You Texted Your Friend At The End Of Each Quarter
First: Loving how Braxton looks, Roby couldn’t have played that TD better. Just a great throw by Stave.
Second: BRAXTON TO PHILLY!!!!!!!!!!
Third: Braxton is slowly but surely pumping life back into X-Brax. 4 TDs tie his career high.
Fourth: Big win for the Buckeyes!!! 17-0 SON. The national media might hate, but this team is for real.
It was Over When:
Stave’s 4th and four pass in the final two-minutes of the game was broken up by Doran Grant. All of Columbus rejoiced as Mark May ate crow.
