Buckeyes stun No. 12 Badgers

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Wisconsin had its heart broken again.

Braxton Miller threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Devin Smith with 20 seconds left to give Ohio State a 33-29 victory over the No. 12 Badgers on Saturday night.

It was almost exactly seven days earlier that the Badgers were beaten 37-31 at Michigan State on a miracle pass on the final play of the game. The latest heartbreak, just like that one, wasn’t confirmed until it passed a video review.

The Buckeyes (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten) won their biggest game of a season shadowed by NCAA problems.

The Badgers (7-2, 3-2) drove to the Ohio State 45 — and got an extra play after time elapsed due to a defensive facemask call — but linebacker Andrew Sweat hit quarterback Russell Wilson as he was throwing to end the game and touch off a wild celebration.

It was an incredible finish, with four touchdowns scored in the final 4:39. But the Buckeyes were the last one standing after a series of knockout punches by both sides.

Miller, a freshman, ran for 99 yards on 19 carries and scored twice, in addition to completing 7 of 12 passes for 89 yards and a score.

Dan Herron (Warren Harding), in his second game back from two separate suspensions for accepting improper benefits, rushed for 160 yards on 33 carries.

Miller scored on runs of 1 and 44 yards — the latter putting Ohio State up 26-14 with 4:39 left. Herron rumbled 57 yards on the first play of the second half to set up Miller’s first TD.

The Badgers came in averaging 47.4 points and 512 yards, but were stymied most of the night. They also said all week that they had put the painful loss in East Lansing, Mich., in the rearview mirror. But adding in this latest loss, they may have recurring nightmares.

Wilson completed 20 of 32 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns and Montee Ball gained 85 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown. Jared Abbrederis had six catches for 113 yards and two scores.

Taking the kickoff to start the second half, Ohio State immediately got a big play.

Herron burst through a hole at the line and past defenders pinching the line, racing 57 yards to the Wisconsin 18. He later went 18 yards to the 1, setting up further drama.

The Buckeyes ran three plays and still had 18 inches to go on fourth down. Miller took the snap and wheeled to his right, directly into the path of end Brendan Kelly — but he missed the tackle.Miller scampered through a gaping hole for his first career collegiate touchdown and a 10-7 lead to turn the tide.