INDIANAPOLIS — Wisconsin roared into the Big Ten Championship Game jumping out to a dominating first-half lead, but a third-quarter flurry saw Ohio State rally back to claim the Big Ten title, 34-21.
Wisconsin (10-3, No. 8 CFP), making its Big Ten-leading sixth appearance in the title match, turned in an impressive performance early on and scored the first 14 points — Ohio State's largest deficit of the season thanks to Wisconsin's aggressive play-calling. The Badgers led 21-7 at the half with hope building for a potential upset of the Buckeyes (13-0, No. 1 CFP). The halftime break provided Ohio State with an opportunity to regroup however and the team took full advantage.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields threw three touchdown passes in the second half and running back J.K. Dobbins ran for 172 yards and a score to seal OSU's first playoff trip in three years by shutting out Wisconsin in the second half. The victory marks Ohio State's third straight league title and enters the postseason with a 19-game winning streak. The College Football Playoff selection committee will announce the four playoff teams Sunday.
Wisconsin now awaits Sunday's bowl announcement with Rose, Orange, Cotton and Citrus all possibilities heading into the New Year thanks to a strong November in Big Ten play.
UW's Jack Coan ran for two touchdowns in the first half and Jonathan Taylor rushed for 148 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries. Wide receiver Quintez Cephus collected 7 of 14 catches for 122 yards. For 30 minutes, the Badgers put themselves back in the playoff debate as the Buckeyes looked completely out of sorts in the first half.
Coan was 17 of 33 with 232 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions, but scored two touchdowns on seven carries. After rushing for 194 yards in the first half, Wisconsin was held to minus-1 yard rushing in the second half and finished with 193 yards rushing.
Wisconsin's defense quieted Ohio State's fans thanks to five sacks, including one by Isaiahh Loudermilk who also forced a fumble during an early march down the field by the Buckeyes. The turnover kept the momentum in the Badgers' favor heading into halftime. Reggie Pearson, Zack Baun and Jack Sanborn led the Badgers in tackles with nine a piece.
Taylor became the seventh player in FBS history to reach 6,000 yards rushing in his career when he ran for 6 yards early in the second quarter. The junior finished the game with 6,080 career yards. The last player to join the club was Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State in 2013. Wisconsin is the only school to produce two 6,000-yard rushers. The other is Ron Dayne, the career rushing leader, with 7,125 yards.
Ohio State's Jeremy Ruckert started the third-quarter comeback with a one-handed catch in the back of the end zone on the fifth play of the third quarter. The 16-yard pass cut the deficit to 21-14.
Four plays later, Wisconsin punter Anthony Lotti dropped the ball and was tackled at the Badgers 16. Ohio State converted that miscue into a 27-yard field goal.
And after Wisconsin missed a 48-yard field goal wide left on its next series, Fields hooked up with K.J. Hill for a 16-yard pass and 24-21 lead with 2:23 left in the third quarter.
Fields added a 13-yard TD pass to Hill early in the fourth quarter to give the Buckeyes a 31-21 lead and the Buckeyes closed the scoring with a 24-yard field goal. Fields was 19 of 31 with 299 yards and no interceptions. K.J. Hill caught seven passes for 83 yards and two scores.
The AP contributed to this article.
