Special Teams: D
The last thing Wisconsin needed after allowing Ohio State to score on their opening offensive possession in the second half was to have an unforced mistake.
That’s exactly what happened after the Badgers went three and out as punter Anthony Lotti after receiving the snap from long snapper Adam Bay fumbled the football. Lotti was able to recover his fumble and was tackled after gaining four yards.
The Badgers defense was able to hold Ohio State to a field goal but considering how the second half started for the Badgers that just added on to allowing the Buckeyes to regain momentum.
Lotti punted the football four times for a punting average of 40.2 yards as one of his punts landed inside the 20-yard line.
Zach Hintze continued to handle all of the kicking duties as he made all three of his extra points but missed his first field goal of the year from 48-yards as the kick sailed left in the third quarter.
Aron Cruickshank only returned two kickoffs resulting in 28 yards. Both of the kickoffs Cruickshank elected to return the better option may have been to call for a fair catch and allow for Wisconsin’s offense to start at the 25-yard line. Considering, both of Cruickshank’s returned kicks resulted in the Badgers offense starting inside the 20-yard line.
Overall: C
Wisconsin’s play in the first half gave them a chance of pulling the upset but the Buckeyes talent in the second half simply won out.
On the Badgers second, to last offensive possession in the game the Badgers, last two play calls on that drive were both runs. Wisconsin on third down only needed to pick up 1-yard but Garrett Groshek was tackled for a loss of one yard. On the ensuing offensive play the Badgers called a toss to Taylor with a man in motion but the Buckeyes were ready to defend it as Taylor had nowhere to go as it resulted in a loss of six yards.
The Badgers were able to get the football back one more time but despite getting it down to the Buckeyes 10-yard line the game clock ran out on a run by Coan, which picked up seven yards.
Ohio State’s offense was able to score on their first five offensive possessions resulting in 27 points in the second half. It was an avalanche effect as the Badgers setting Ohio State up with great field position off of Lotti’s fumble and the Badgers having to consistently punt didn’t help Wisconsin’s defense as it ultimately allowed for the Buckeyes to make their comeback and erase the halftime deficit.