Badgers routed by Buckeyes in conference opener

Wisconsin drops 2nd game of year
By: 
NEW Media Staff

Not much went right for the Wisconsin Badgers football team during a 52-21 Big Ten Conference loss to Ohio State on Sept. 24 in Columbus.

Ohio State received the opening kickoff and drove 88 yards in six plays in under three minutes to grab a 7-0 lead.

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz was intercepted on the team’s first passing attempt, and two plays later, Ohio State scored again to make it 14-0.

Wisconsin offense then went three-and-out. The Buckeyes’ offense needed just seven plays to go 70 yards and score a third touchdown.

After another three-and-out for the Badgers’ offense, followed by a short punt, Ohio State scored its fourth straight touchdown. That drive lasted eight plays and covered 67 yards.

Wisconsin finally was able to sustain a drive and put points on the board after a 1-yard touchdown run from Mertz, but Ohio State scored the game’s next 17 points to run away with the game.

Mertz finished the night completing just 11 of his 20 attempts for 94 yards. He tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to running back Jackson Acker early in the fourth quarter.

The lone bright spot in the game for Wisconsin was running back Braelon Allen. He rushed for 166 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run for the game’s final points.

Skyler Bell caught four passes for 55 yards to lead Wisconsin’s receivers.

Linebacker Maema Njongmeta led the Badgers’ defense with nine total tackles, while safety John Torchio had seven total tackles and an interception. Wisconsin’s defense did not have a tackle for loss in the game.

Ohio State outgained Wisconsin 539-296 in the contest. The Buckeyes had 281 passing yards and 258 rushing yards to go along with 28 first downs and a 7.7-yard per play average.

Wisconsin will look to bounce back on Oct. 1 when hosting Illinois. The game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. kickoff.