BTN.com staff, September 10, 2011
(AP) Russell Wilson threw three touchdowns and No. 8 Wisconsin overcame a slow start from its running game to beat Oregon State 35-0 at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. With Oregon State's defense stuffing running backs Montee Ball and James White early on, Wisconsin pounced on special teams mistakes and leaned on Wilson and the defense to do the rest. In his second career start for the Badgers (2-0), Wilson was 17 of 21 for 189 yards and the three touchdowns, including a pair to tight end Jacob Pedersen. Wisconsin's running game broke through after halftime, and Ball had a pair of touchdowns in the second half. Read the full AP recap, check out the box score and see our Big Ten scoreboard.
Check out our quarter-by-quarter recaps, powered by Narrative Science:
FINAL: Montee Ball and Russell Wilson teamed up to lead Wisconsin to a 35-0 victory over Oregon State on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Wilson passed for 189 yards, while Ball ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The Badgers' offense dominated, ripping off huge chunks of yardage. Wisconsin had four plays of 20 yards or more on its way to victory. With 10:17 to go in the fourth quarter, Wilson found Jacob Pedersen open for a 34-yard pass for the Badgers' biggest gain of the game. Despite the highlight, Wisconsin failed to score on that drive, which stalled at the Beavers' 44-yard line. The Badgers was able to secure the win thanks to a well-rounded offense that was firing on all cylinders. The offense for Wisconsin hummed along to the tune of 189 passing yards and 208 rushing yards. Sean Mannion threw for 250 yards while completing 27 of 40 passes for Oregon State. He also threw no interceptions. Markus Wheaton was a key target for Mannion. He hauled in eight catches for 83 yards. The Beavers' offense finished the game having gained 284 yards, including 258 passing yards on 28 completions. Oregon State's running game proved ineffective, netting 26 yards on 23 rushes.
FOURTH QUARTER: Wisconsin completed its blowout of Oregon State with a strong fourth quarter and took home a 35-0 victory. The Badgers opened up a 35-0 lead after Montee Ball ran one yard to paydirt to end a eight-play, 43-yard drive. A failed fourth down conversion set Wisconsin up at the Oregon State 43-yard line to start. Pass plays were an afterthought for the Badgers, as Wisconsin threw just two passes. The Beavers' Sean Mannion went over 200 yards passing for the game in the quarter, he finished the game with 250 yards passing.
THIRD QUARTER: Wisconsin rushed for 93 yards in the third quarter and the Badgers now lead 28-0. Wisconsin made its lead 28-0 when Montee Ball ran 19 yards to paydirt on the last play of a nine-play, 80-yard drive. The Badgers went to the air just one time. Wisconsin's Ball went over 100 yards rushing for the game in the quarter, he now has 117 yards rushing in the game. The Badgers have the ball on Oregon State's one-yard line to begin the fourth quarter.
SECOND QUARTER: Strong play by the offense carried Wisconsin to 14 points in the second quarter and the Badgers now lead 21-0. Wisconsin finished with 61 yards through the air and 82 on the ground in the quarter. The Badgers made their lead 14-0 when Russell Wilson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Nick Toon on the last play of a 11-play, 51-yard drive. Wisconsin opened up a 21-0 lead after Wilson hit Jacob Pedersen in the endzone from six yards out to end a 16-play, 72-yard drive. The Badgers threw just two times. Wisconsin will receive to start the second half.
FIRST QUARTER: Wisconsin's defense held tough in the first quarter, holding Oregon State to 38 total yards of offense and the Badgers lead 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. Wisconsin's front seven stepped up in the quarter, allowing the Beavers to gain just 15 rushing yards. The Badgers got on the scoreboard first, rattling off a three-play, 14-yard drive that ended in a score when Russell Wilson hit Jacob Pedersen in the endzone from 17 yards out, putting Wisconsin on top, 7-0. The Badgers started in good field position at the Oregon State 14-yard line because Johnny Hekker's punt return. Oregon State has possession on its 18-yard line to start the second quarter.
