Ohio State Fumbles Its Title Hopes

Ohio State came in ranked No. 3, but Wisconsin had the Buckeyes’ number again this year.

For the fourth time in the past five seasons, an underdog Badger team ignored the rankings and handed Ohio State a 12-7 defeat Saturday, snapping the nation’s longest home winning streak at 20 games and all but ending the Buckeyes’ Rose Bowl hopes.

“If someone would have told me that we would beat Ohio State four out of five years, I’d tell them those were not very good betting odds,” Wisconsin Coach Dave McClain said.

The Buckeyes, who came into the game leading the nation in turnover margin, lost three fumbles after giving up only two in the previous nine games. “They probably would have won if it were not for the turnovers,” McClain said.

The Buckeyes were leading, 7-6, in the third period when quarterback Jim Karsatos fumbled the snap and Badger linebacker Mike Reid, who recovered all three Ohio State bobbles, fell on it at the Buckeye 22.

Four plays later, Wisconsin fullback Marvin Artley scored on a one-yard plunge to make it 12-7 with 3:25 left in the third period.

Taking over at their own 20 after the kickoff, the Buckeyes moved steadily downfield until faced with a fourth-and-two at the Wisconsin 11. But freshman tailback Vince Workman, subbing for the injured Keith Byars, who did not see action, was stopped by Russ Fields and Craig Raddatz after a one-yard gain.

Following a Wisconsin punt, Ohio State moved from its 41 to a first down at the Badger three. But on second-and-goal, running back Roman Bates lost a handoff, and Reid was there again to recover for Wisconsin with 9:45 left.

“When I get time to think about it in a few days, I’ll smile,” said Reid, a 6-2, 210-pound junior.

Ohio State’s Ed Taggart, a tight end, also lost the handle on a ball near midfield on the next Buckeye possession.

Buckeye wide receiver Cris Carter, who had seven catches for 131 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, said: “I am very heartbroken. We had the chance to control our own destiny.”

Ohio State moved to the Wisconsin 42 in the waning moments of the game, but two Karsatos passes to Carter were broken up, and Wisconsin had its upset.

Now, Ohio State would have to beat Michigan while Minnesota was upsetting Iowa next weekend for the Buckeyes to go to the Rose Bowl.

The victory moved Wisconsin to 5-5 overall and 2-5 in the Big Ten, while Ohio State fell to 8-2 and 5-2. The Buckeyes dropped to third in the conference with the loss.

Wisconsin controlled the first 25 minutes of play but led by just 6-0 on a pair of Todd Gregoire field goals from 49 and 19 yards.

Ohio State countered with Carter’s touchdown on the pass from Karsatos, who completed 20 of 31 passes for 263 yards in the game.

But in the second half, Wisconsin’s defense forced the three turnovers, and the Buckeyes couldn’t reach the end zone.

“You just saw a devastating loss to Ohio State University,” Buckeye Coach Earle Bruce said.

The Badgers’ Raddatz had his own theory behind the upset: “I think they thought our defense would break, but they underestimated us.”

Wisconsin held a 139-50 advantage in total offense heading into the Buckeyes’ last possession of the first half.

But Ohio State awakened after taking over at its own 14 with 2:57 left before halftime.

Karsatos completed five of his next six passes for 81 yards on the drive, including the touchdown toss to Carter with 1:05 remaining in the first half. Rich Spangler’s extra-point made it 7-6, and that was Ohio State’s scoring for the day.