Ohio State’s history on Oct. 29 includes an 80-point win, a program-changing touchdown and an Urban Meyer victory milestone.
Although Ohio State started league play in 2011 with an 0–2 record, the team still had a chance to make the conference championship game. If the Buckeyes defeated Wisconsin, won its remaining games and Penn State lost to Nebraska, Fickell's team would go to Indianapolis.
The Buckeyes built a 12-point lead after two touchdown runs by Braxton Miller, a rushing score by Jordan Hall and a Drew Basil field goal. Miller's second touchdown came with 4:39 remaining, and those in attendance felt the game was in hand.A recap of the dramatic finish fromBut then an Ohio State defense that had been so stout against the potent Badgers collapsed. Wisconsin scored touchdowns on consecutive four-play drives of 66 and 68 yards to take a 29-26 lead.
A crowd that had been raucous all night went stone quiet. The Buckeyes have hardly been a quick-strike offense this season, and now that was required.Daniel Herron got a first down at the Wisconsin 40 with 30 seconds left. Then came Miller’s fateful throw.He could run, as he had done so effectively all night, and possibly get into field-goal range. But he looked downfield, and he saw fellow freshman Devin Smith impossibly alone in the end zone.
The Buckeyes' Bob Klein broke a scoreless tie in the second quarter when he burst through the Spartans' line and bolted 45 yards for a touchdown.