Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, December 7, 2014
BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is posting quick takes after each quarter of the Big Ten Football Championship from his perch at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Also, follow him on Twitter @BTNTomDienhart.
OHIO STATE 59, WISCONSIN 0: BOX | PBP | AP RECAP | GALLERY
FOURTH QUARTER
Quick take: The last 15 minutes were a mere formality, as this game essentially was over at halftime. The Buckeyes certainly looked the part of a playoff team in dominating Wisconsin, 59-0. But was it enough to overtake Florida State or TCU and earn a top four of the College Football Playoff poll? Baylor, No. 6 last week, could even slip into the top four over TCU and OSU.
Key moment: With Wisconsin threatening after driving to the Ohio State 39, Joel Stave chucked a pass toward the end zone. But it hung in the air and was intercepted by Doran Grant, his second pick of the game and Stave?s third interception on the night. OSU?s shutout was preserved.
Key play: Leading 45-0, Ohio State lined up for a 29-yard field goal by Sean Nuernberger. But, it was blocked. Earlier in the drive, OSU tried a trick play with Jalin Marshall taking a hand-off and throwing back to Cardale Jones. The play failed.
Key number: 220, yards rushing for OSU running back Ezekiel Elliott, who averaged 11 yards on 20 carries with two TDs. Wisconsin had allowed just four 100-yard rushers over the last two seasons.
Key penalty: A personal foul/late hit on Badger LB Joe Schobert after a 27-yard run by Bri?onte Dunn moved the ball to the Wisconsin 7 yard line. Two plays later, Curtis Samuel plunged in for a TD from one yard out to make it 59-0 with 2:25 to go.
Key score: On its second drive of the quarter, Buckeye RB Ezekiel Elliott bolted 60 yards from the OSU 28 yard line to the Wisconsin 12 on the first play. On the next play, Curtis Samuel jetted for a TD to make it 52-0 with 11:39 to go.
About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
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