Monday, October 17, 2016
Associated Press
MADISON, Wis.
J.T. Barrett escaped Wisconsin’s pressure and shook off a mistake.
Ohio State’s do-it-all quarterback proved his mettle after halftime in the toughest of road environments, accounting for three touchdowns and setting a school record in the process.
Barrett threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to leaping receiver Noah Brown in overtime, and the second-ranked Buckeyes finished off the eighth-ranked Badgers with a sack on fourth-and-goal from the 4 for a 30-23 win on Saturday night.
Barrett also ran for two touchdowns for the Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) in a contest that had the intensity of a championship heavyweight bout.
“That was just two good teams going at each other,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said.
He had the best player on the field on his side.
The touchdown throw in overtime gave Barrett his 89th career touchdown passing or rushing, breaking the school record previously held by quarterback Braxton Miller.
The Buckeyes rushed the field after defensive end Tyquan Lewis sacked quarterback Alex Hornibrook to end the thriller. Just in time too, after school officials warned fans that severe weather was rolling through the area right before the final play.
Ohio State got the ball first in overtime, with Barrett ending the possession with the pass to Brown for the go-ahead score.
Barrett finished 17 of 29 for 226 yards with one interception, and ran for 92 yards on 21 carries.
“We grew up even more this week,” Barrett said.
Corey Clement ran for 164 yards on 25 carries for Wisconsin (4-2, 1-2) and its revived rushing attack .
The Badgers gained chunks of yards in the first half on the Buckeyes’ vaunted defense, but often had to settle for field goals. They led 16-6 at halftime.
It took a little while for Ohio State to get its bearings in the second half.
“We just had to keep on grinding. This Big Ten football,” Barrett said.
But Barrett, as usual, led the charge. Wisconsin’s defense often got to Barrett in the backfield and tried to contain him in the pocket, only to watch him slip away with just enough time to hit big passes.
“You look at those things ... how can we finish,” coach Paul Chryst said. “At the same time, you say, ‘Hat’s off, he’s a heck of a player.’”