Wisconsin bulls past No. 1 Ohio State
MADISON, Wis. - Ohio State is one and done as No. 1.
John Clay ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns and James White darted in for the clinching score in the fourth quarter as No. 18 Wisconsin took down top-ranked Ohio State, 31-18, last night.
For the second week in a row, there will be a new No. 1 in college football, with the Buckeyes (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) falling the way Alabama was beaten last week - on the road and in conference.
Wisconsin hadn't defeated a No. 1 since 1981, when the Badgers beat Michigan, 21-14.
David Gilreath returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown and the Badgers (6-1, 2-1) proceeded to run over the Buckeyes took a 21-3 lead into halftime behind Clay and his blockers.
"I challenged our offensive line at the beginning of the week," Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said. "If we're going to have success, it starts with you guys."
Terrelle Pryor, who threw for 156 yards and ran for another 56, guided Ohio State on two long scoring drives in the second half and Dan Herron capped them both with touchdowns to cut the Wisconsin lead to 21-18 with 11:38 left in the fourth.
But the Badgers responded with another long touchdown drive, then added a field goal and now No. 1 is up for grabs again - just in time for the BCS standings to make their season debut today.
Wisconsin broke a three game-losing streak to the Buckeyes in easily the biggest victory since Bielema took over the program from Barry Alvarez five years ago. Bielema had been 0-4 against top 10 teams. Now the Rose Bowl is in reach again for the Badgers.
For Ohio State, its national title hopes are in critical condition. The Buckeyes just couldn't overcome Wisconsin's dominant first half in front of a pumped-up crowd of 81,194.
The Badgers outgained the Buckeyes 197-93 in the first 30 minutes, punishing a defense that hadn't given up a 100-yard rusher in 29 games.
Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien was a steady 13-for-16 for 152 yards and White had yards 75 rushing. The Badgers ran for 184 yards against a defense that had been allowing 78 per game on the ground.
