Wisconsin Re-Creates History, Rallying to Beat Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio — For a day, the Wisconsin Badgers became history majors.

Re-creating the same comeback from two years ago, Wisconsin spotted No. 21 Ohio State a 17-point lead and roared back for a 20-17 upset victory Saturday.

“It does show that history can repeat itself,” Wisconsin defensive lineman Wendell Bryant said.

Mark Neuser’s 33-yard field goal with 2:13 remaining capped the revival that came a week after the Badgers’ humiliating 63-32 loss at home to winless Indiana.

Ohio State (3-2, 2-1 Big Ten), which routed then-No. 13 Northwestern, 38-20, last Saturday behind a bruising running game, was held to minus-4 yards in the second half.

The last time Wisconsin (4-3, 2-1) made the trip to Ohio Stadium, Ohio State built a 17-0 lead only to watch the Badgers reel off the next 42 in a 42-17 victory.

Ohio State again dominated the first half but Wisconsin--which has won nine of 10 road games--bounced back behind a solid defense, tailback Anthony Davis and quarterback Brooks Bollinger. Bollinger engineered the upset of the 12th-ranked Buckeyes by the unranked Badgers in 1999.

Starting from their own 31-yard line on the game-winning drive, the Badgers picked up 34 yards on the first play, with Bollinger finding Lee Evans alone at the left sideline.

Two Anthony Davis runs gave the Badgers a first down at the 20. They ran three times before Neuser converted a 33-yard kick.

“Obviously we’re disappointed,” Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel said. “We have plenty of things to look at.”