COLUMBUS, Ohio — Wisconsin fell on the road to Ohio State, 52-21, on Saturday night in the Badgers’ Big Ten opening game.
Ohio State’s Cade Stover and Emeka Egbuka each caught two of Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud’s five touchdown passes, while Miyan Williams rushed for two more scores for the home team.
The Buckeyes (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) scored touchdowns on their first four drives and led 31-7 at the half, but Wisconsin (3-1, 0-1) continued to battle on the way to the Badgers’ eventual 21 points.
Ohio State running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Williams both had 100-yard games; Henderson had 121 yards, and Williams averaged more than 9 yards per carry in rumbling for 101. Stroud completed 17 of 27 attempts for 281 yards and also threw an interception for the first time this season.
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz was 11 for 20 for 94 yards, rushed for a touchdown and threw for another to on a 2-yard reception for running back Jackson Acker. Braelon Allen rushed for 165 yards, including a 75-yard TD romp in the fourth quarter.
Badgers’ kicker Nate Van Zelst saw success with each of his three conversions, making 3 of 3 attempts on each of the Badgers’ TDs.
On defense, Maema Njongmeta led the Badgers with nine tackles and teammate John Torchio tallied seven and snagged an interception.
Looking ahead, Wisconsin returns home to host Illinois next Saturday, Oct. 1 at Camp Randall Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
COURTESY WISCONSIN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
