MADISON, Wis. — Ohio State's rushing attack came alive behind a 162 rushing performance from TreVeyon Henderson to help the No. 3 Buckeyes defeat the Wisconsin Badgers 24-10 on Saturday night.
Henderson returned to his starting role for the first time in over a month to help the Buckeyes (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) offense, which has been inconsistent for most of the season.
Marvin Harrison Jr. also turned in another solid performance and continues to make a case as the nation’s top performer. He finished with six receptions for 123 yards and two touchdown receptions.
The Buckeyes took a 10-0 lead after Harrison and Kyle McCord connected on a shallow crossing route with 10:36 remaining before halftime.
Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2) had a frustrating day offensively, being held to just 94 yards on the ground and missing out on several scoring opportunities during the game.
The Badgers got a short field in the first quarter after a huge punt return to the OSU 36. But the Wisconsin squandered that opportunity with a missed field goal.
Wisconsin had another chance before halftime with a first-and-goal at the OSU 1 and could only manage a field goal from Nathaniel Vakos.
It appeared Wisconsin had scored on first-and-goal on a touchdown pass from quarterback Skyler Bell to Braedyn Locke. But an official review determined that Bell's knee was ruled down from trying to catch low pass from Locke.
But Wisconsin would tie the game up on their opening drive of the second half, as Locke hit Will Pauling for a 13-yard score.
The Buckeyes would respond to take the lead for good, as Harrison caught a 19-yard touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone with 7:14 left in the third quarter.
“We've just got to finish,” Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler said. “We've got to be able to close a game out, and we didn't make enough plays. When the opportunities came, we made some, but didn't make enough.”
Henderson sealed the win by running through a huge hole on the left side, breaking a tackle downfield and delivering a 33-yard touchdown run with 5:15 left to send the Badger faithful heading towards the exits.
Kyle McCord completed 17 of his 26 passes for 226 yards, but picked off twice to go along with his two touchdown passes to Harrison. The McCord hadn’t thrown an interception since Ohio State’s season opener.
Locke went 18 of 39 for 165 yards in his second career start for Wisconsin.
The Buckeyes will be at Rutgers next Saturday.
Ohio State 3 7 7 7 — 24
Wisconsin 0 3 7 0 — 10
First Quarter
OSU–J. Fielding 27 field goal, 8:09.
Second Quarter
OSU–M. Harrison Jr. 16 pass from K.McCord (J. Fielding kick), 10:36.
WIS–N. Vakos 19 field goal, 0:00.
Third Quarter
WIS–W. Pauling 13 pass from B. Locke (N. Vakos kick), 12:30.
OSU–M. Harrison Jr. 19 pass from K.McCord (J. Fielding kick), 7:14.
Fourth Quarter
OSU–T. Henderson 33 run (J. Fielding kick), 5:15.
___
OSU WIS
First downs 23 14
Total Net Yards 407 259
Rushes-yards 43-181 25-94
Passing 226 165
Punt Returns 1-6 1-35
Kickoff Returns 0-0 1-25
Interceptions Ret. 0-0 1-0
Comp-Att-Int 17-26-2 18-39-0
Sacked-Yards Lost 2-13 4-29
Punts 3-32.0 3-48.0
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-1
Penalties-Yards 6-25 5-26
Time of Possession 33:50 26:10
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INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING–Ohio State, Henderson 24-162, Johnson 4-29, Trayanum 6-13, McCord 6-minus 20, Team 2-minus 3. Wisconsin, Allen 10-50, Acker 9-34, Locke 5-14, Yacamelli 1-minus 4.
PASSING–Ohio State, McCord 17-26-2-226. Wisconsin, Locke 18-39-0-165.
RECEIVING–Ohio State, Harrison Jr. 6-123, Henderson 4-45, Fleming 2-19, Scott Jr. 2-18, Tate 1-14, Trayanum 2-7. Wisconsin, Pauling 4-51, Green 2-46, Bell 4-26, Acker 5-20, Anthony 1-15, Williams 1-7.
MISSED FIELD GOALS–Wisconsin, Vakos 54 (WL).
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