The Ohio State football team earned its first Big Ten win of the 2022 season in dominant fashion.
The Buckeyes blasted Wisconsin at home 52-21 in one of the biggest conference showdowns on the college football schedule in Week 4.
The Buckeyes haven't played the Badgers since the 2019 Big Ten Championship game. OSU hasn't lost to the Badgers since 2010 and hasn't lost at home to Wisconsin since 2004.
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Ohio State football roster:Who's starting for the Buckeyes? The Ohio State football depth chart, roster vs. Wisconsin
Wisconsin football roster:Who is starting for Badgers vs. OSU? Wisconsin football roster, depth chart vs. Ohio State
Ohio State, ranked No. 3 in the AP rankings, enters the game after having scored 77 points in a 56-point win over Toledo in Week 3. In that game, star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba made his return after missing the previous week with an injury. It was also the season debut of Julian Fleming, who caught two touchdowns against the Rockets.
There were some key Ohio State injuries against Toledo, including one to running back TreVeyon Henderson. The sophom*ore running back is expected to be back against Wisconsin from what is believed to be a foot injury.
The Badgers are 2-1 and unranked after having been upset by Washington State 17-14 in Week 2, but the Badgers and star Baraelon Allen returned to form against New Mexico State in a 66-1 win.
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Follow the action live with Ohio State news and updates from the Columbus Dispatch staff.
Final score: Ohio State 52, Wisconsin 21
The Buckeyes scored at least 45 points for the third-straight game, beginning their Big Ten schedule with a dominant win against Wisconsin.
Up next, Ohio State will host Rutgers at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on Big Ten Network.
Braelon Allen runs for a touchdown, score: Ohio State 52, Wisconsin 21
Braelon Allen has 165 yards for the Badgers, a big chunk of which just came on a 75-yard touchdown run.
Following that score, Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord enters the game.
OSU's Emeka Egbuka gets his second touchdown, C.J. Stroud his fifth, score: Ohio State 52, Wisconsin 14
Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud is 17-for-27 for 271 yards, five touchdowns and one pick. He just threw to Emeka Egbuka on a 32-yard TD pass, which is Egbuka's second score of the night.
A good game for Keon Keeley and other recruits to watch
Being a night game, Ohio State welcomed in a number of recruits tonight, including five-star edge rusher out of Berkeley Prep, Keon Keeley. This is probably an excellent game for him to watch. OSU is dominating. The defense, especially Tommy Eichenberg (14 tackles, two tackles for loss) is doing well. However, with only three tackles for loss as a team, Keeley probably sees an element he can add.
Badgers score on a Graham Mertz touchdown, score: Ohio State 45, Wisconsin 14
Wisconsin went 80 yards in 14 plays and capped a scoring drive with a two-yard pass from Graham Mertz to Jackson Acker. It took the Badgers 7:32 to score.
Ohio State fans jump around
With 2:22 remaining in the third quarter, Ohio State played "Jump Around" a staple at Wisconsin's Camp Randall.
C.J. Stroud threads his fourth TD pass, OSU has two 100-yard rushers tonight, score: Ohio State 45, Wisconsin 7
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud found Emeka Egbuka running an in-route with a pinpoint pass between two Badgers defenders. It was an 8-yard touchdown.
Although Stroud has four TD passes tonight, OSU has gotten a lot out of its running game with two 100-plus yard rushers.
- TreVeyon Henderson: 107 yards
- Miyan Williams: 101 yards
OSU's Julian Fleming adds a touchdown catch, score: Ohio State 38, Wisconsin 7
Ohio State receiver Julian Fleming collided with four Badgers defenders at the goal line, but still banged it in at the end of 12-yard pass play to extend OSU's lead. That means that the Buckeyes have scored five touchdowns on seven drives. The only exceptions? A 25-yard Noah Ruggles' field goal and a kneel down at the end of the first half.
Halftime stats:
| STAT | Wisconsin | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| TotalYds | 96 | 328 |
| PassYds | 49 | 147 |
| RushYds | 47 | 181 |
| Penalties | 0-0 | 2-17 |
| 1st Downs | 6 | 17 |
| 3rd Downs | 2-6 | 3-5 |
| 4th Downs | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| Total Plays | 28 | 40 |
| Avg Yds/Play | 3.4 | 8.2 |
| Avg Yds/Completion | 8.2 | 14.7 |
| Avg Yds/Rush | 2.9 | 7.2 |
| Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg) | 50 (3.3) | 181 (7.2) |
| Red Zone | 1-1 | 5-5 |
| Time ofPoss | 12:50 | 17:10 |
| Turnovers (Def Pts Off) | 1 (7) | 1 (0) |
| Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Sacks (Def Yds) | 0 (0) | 1 (3) |
| TFL (Def Yds) | 0 (0) | 2 (8) |
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is 10 for 15, with 147 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Miyan Williams has 101 rushing yards on 11 carries and two scores. Tommy Eichenberg leads OSU with eight tackles including a tackle for loss.
Ohio State's C.J. Stroud throws an interception, Wisconsin's Clay Cundiff carted off
Wisconsin recorded their eighth interception of the year as Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud threw his first pick of the season. John Torchio came away with the ball.
On the ensuing play, Badgers tight end Clay Cundiff went up for a catch and was hit in the legs by OSU's Tanner McCalister. In obvious, writhing pain, the cart quickly came out for Cundiff.
Noah Ruggles adds to OSU lead, score: Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 7
For the first time tonight, an Ohio State drive does not end in a touchdown. After 13 plays in which the Buckeyes traveled 68 yards, OSU had to settle for a Noah Ruggles' 25-yard field goal. OSU chewed up 6:11 of clock on the drive, and so despite the quick touchdowns they have scored tonight, they also lead time of possession 16:24 to 11:16.
An injury note: OSU linebacker Palaie Gaoteote has been taken to the team's locker room.
Badgers get on the board, score: Ohio State 28, Wisconsin 7
Graham Mertz dove straight ahead behind a wall of Badgers blockers for a Wisconsin one-yard touchdown. The big play on that drive was a 26-yard pass on third down and 9 from Mertz to Skyler Bell.
OSU's Miyan Williams finds the end zone for a second time, score: Ohio State 28, Wisconsin 0
Running back Miyan Williams kept Ohio State's most recent drive alive with a spinning 21-yard run on third down and 3. That would set up his own touchdown on the next play, a 4-yard score during which he went into the end zone untouched.
Ohio State with some impressive first-quarter numbers
| STAT | Wisconsin | Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| TotalYds | 23 | 210 |
| PassYds | 9 | 142 |
| RushYds | 14 | 68 |
| Penalties | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| 1st Downs | 1 | 12 |
| 3rd Downs | 1-3 | 1-1 |
| 4th Downs | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Total Plays | 11 | 19 |
| Avg Yds/Play | 2.1 | 11.1 |
| Avg Yds/Completion | 9 | 15.8 |
| Avg Yds/Rush | 1.8 | 7.6 |
| Sack-Adj Rush Yd(Avg) | 17 (2.4) | 68 (7.6) |
| Red Zone | 0-0 | 3-3 |
| Time ofPoss | 06:14 | 08:46 |
| Turnovers (Def Pts Off) | 1 (7) | 0 (0) |
| Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Sacks (Def Yds) | 0 (0) | 1 (3) |
| TFL (Def Yds) | 0 (0) | 2 (8) |
Tight end Cade Stover scores again for the Buckeyes, score: Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 0
Cade Stover engaged two Wisconsin defenders at the line, shed that block and floated into the end zone, where C.J. Stroud, who was rolling right, found him wide, wide open.
Stroud is already 8-for-8 passing for two touchdowns and 126 yards.
Cade Stover gets his first collegiate touchdown, score: Ohio State 14, Wisconsin 0
Ohio State scored on a misdirection play, sending almost all the action left and tight end Cade Stover out right. He was able to avoid a tackle by diving end-over-end into the end zone to give OSU a very quick two-touchdown lead.
Tanner McCalister gives Ohio State's defense its third takeaway of the year
Graham Mertz's pass was way offline, and Ohio State's Tanner McCalister took advantage with an interception he returned to the Wisconsin 16, giving the Buckeyes' offense a very short field to work with.
Chunk plays, Miyan Williams put OSU football up, score: Ohio State 7, Wisconsin 0
Miyan Williams capped Ohio State's opening drive with a gritty, never-give-up run, 2-yard touchdown run. But that was an uncharacteristic play for OSU's opening drive. The Buckeyes, taking advantage of a banged-up Badgers' defensive backfield, is averaging 14.7 yards per play and scored in just 2:41.
Who are the officials for tonight's Ohio State, Wisconsin football game?
| Referee: | Jerry McGinn |
| Umpire: | Brad Hudak |
| Linesman: | Michael Maisner |
| Line Judge: | Mark Bennett |
| Back Judge: | Jake Kemp |
| Field Judge: | Reginald Berry |
| Side Judge: | Gaylon Williams |
| Center Judge: | Eric Oliver |
Wisconsin wins coin toss
Wisconsin won the coin toss and chose to defer. Ohio State will start with the football.
C.J. Stroud, Kourt Williams, Cade Stover and Tommy Eichenberg served as Ohio State's captains.
Ohio State CB Denzel Burke will not play vs. Wisconsin
Ohio State CB Denzel Burke will not play against Wisconsin.
After warming up with a cast on his right hand, Burke was seen in street clothes during the second round of warm ups. Ohio State is already without Jordan Hanco*ck and Cameron Brown.
Which recruits are attending Ohio State vs. Wisconsin?
Ohio State has many high-profile recruits roaming the sidelines prior to the Buckeyes' Big Ten opener against Wisconsin.
Three of Ohio State's four wide receiver commits — Brandon Inniss,Carnell TateandBryson Rodgers— are in attendance along with 2023 five-star defensive end and former Notre Dame commit Keon Keeley, who has been hanging out with 2023 offensive line commit Luke Montgomery.
'College GameDay' picks Ohio State to beat Wisconsin
ESPN's "College GameDay" analysts were all on the same page when picking Ohio State vs. Wisconsin.
"Wisconsin needs a miracle to beat Ohio State," ESPN analyst and former college football coach Lee Corso said.
Pat McAfee said he would have picked Wisconsin "if Ohio State wasn't going to be all blacked out." But the ESPN analyst and former Indianapolis Colts punter is all in on the Buckeyes.
"Ohio State is Ohio State," McAfee said. "And they should be treated as such until they are not."
Wisconsin to miss starters against Ohio State
Ohio State is not the only team that will be shorthanded Saturday night.
Wisconsin will be without kicker Vito Calvaruso (right leg) and starting left tackle Jack Nelson (illness) Saturday night against the Buckeyes.
Planning a trip home from Ohio Stadium? COTA is unavailable
Ohio State fans should not plan on taking a bus home after the Buckeyes' night game against Wisconsin.
COTA stopped offering service after 11 p.m. in March 2020, attributing the cuts toa driver shortage.
“We continue to recruit, hire and train operators and hope to boost evening service in the future,” COTA spokesperson Jeff Pullin said. “But coming out of a global pandemic, like every industry, this will take time.”
Ohio State CB Denzel Burke takes field with cast on hand
With Jordan Hanco*ck and Cameron Brown out against the Badgers, Ohio State is already down to four scholarship cornerbacks ahead of its matchup with Wisconsin.
But the Buckeyes are even more banged up against the Badgers at cornerback.
Denzel Burke took the field for pregame warmups with a cast around his right hand, but was jogging and stretching as normal. The second-year cornerback is expected to start with JK Johnson taking over for Brown.
TreVeyon Henderson juiced up pregame for Wisconsin matchup
TreVeyon Henderson was fired up from the moment he took the field.
He and a few of his teammates came out of the tunnel for pregame warmups and saw a group of Wisconsin players on the Buckeyes' side of the field, and told them to get out of the way.
Big Ten football scores
Here's a look at how Big Ten teams have done in Week 4.
Thursday, Sept. 22
Illinois 31, Chattanooga 0
Saturday, Sept. 24
No. 4 Michigan 34, Maryland 27
No. 14 Penn State 33, Central Michigan 14
Rutgers vs. Iowa, 7 p.m., FS1
Northwestern vs. Miami (OH), 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
Purdue vs. Florida Atlantic, 7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin spread grows to 19.5 points
Ohio State opened the week as a 17.5-point favorite against Wisconsin. Now that number is up to 19.5 points ahead of Saturday night's prime-time game.
While the Buckeyes won each of their first two games of the 2022 season, Ohio Statefailed to coverits 17.5-point spread against Notre Dame and its 44.5-point spread against Arkansas State.
The Buckeyes were31.5-point favorites against Toledo, earning the77-21win last week.
Ohio State arrives at Skull Session
According to linebackerTommy Eichenberg, Ohio State football has been thinking about one thing all week: toughness.
Walking into the Buckeyes' pregame Skull Session Saturday, he had one message to the fans.
"(The Badgers) are going to wish they never made the trip," he said.
Multiple NFL scouts at Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
Ten scouts from eight different NFL teams will attend Ohio State's Big Ten opener against Wisconsin.
Representatives from the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers will be in attendance to watch the Buckeyes take on the Badgers.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba out vs. Wisconsin
Ohio State will be shorthanded at wide receiver in its Big Ten opener.
After recording two receptions for 33 yards in his return to the field against Toledo last week, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is unavailable for the Buckeyes' Saturday night matchup against Wisconsin.
Through the first three games of the season, Smith-Njigba has four catches for 36 yards after appearing to injure his hamstring against Notre Dame and missing the Arkansas State game.
Ohio State will also be without Cameron Brown, who played 21 snaps in Ohio State's 77-21 win against Toledo. Cornerback JK Johnson will likely start opposite Denzel Burke against the Badgers.
Ohio State will also be without defensive end Omari Abor, wide receiver Kamryn Babb, cornerback Jordan Hanco*ck, linebacker Mitchell Melton, linebacker Teradja Mitchell, defensive tackle Zach Prater, running back Evan Pryor and tight end Joe Royer.
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What time does Ohio State play Wisconsin on Saturday?
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Ohio Stadium, Columbus
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What channel is the Ohio State game on this week against Wisconsin?
The Buckeyes will be on national television for the third time as the Big Ten opener against Wisconsin is on ABC.
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Is Kirk Herbstreit calling the Ohio State football game? Who is announcing OSU vs Wisconsin?
For the second time this season, former Ohio State captain and quarterback Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call.
Here is the ABC broadcast team:
- Chris Fowler (play-by-play)
- Kirk Herbstreit (analysis)
- Holly Rowe (sideline)
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Listen to Ohio State football: OSU radio station information
The Ohio State game will broadcast in Columbus on 97.1 FM/1460 AM.
Here are the announcers:
- Paul Keels (play-by-play)
- Jim Lachey (analysis)
- Matt Andrews (sideline)
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What's the Ohio State parking situation like?
Here's an Ohio State parking map:
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Ohio State football's 2022 schedule
- Week 1:Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10
- Week 2:Ohio State 45, Arkansas State 12
- Week 3:Ohio State 77, Toledo 21
- Week 4:Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Sept. 24, Columbus, Ohio
- Week 5:Ohio State vs. Rutgers, Oct. 1, Columbus Ohio
- Week 6: Ohio State vs. Michigan State, Oct. 8, East Lansing, Mich.
- Week 7: Ohio State vs. Iowa, Oct. 22, Columbus, Ohio
- Week 8: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Oct. 29, State College, Pa.
- Week 9:Ohio State vs. Northwestern, Nov. 5, Evanston, Ill.
- Week 10:Ohio State vs Indiana, Nov. 12, Columbus, Ohio
- Week 11:Ohio State vs. Maryland, Nov. 19, College Park, MD.
- Week 12:Ohio State vs. Michigan, at noon Nov. 26, Columbus, Ohio
