Saturday, October 13, 2001
Ohio State defense doing its job
Buckeyes, Badgers battle today
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS — The shock of last week's 63-32 blitzing against Indiana has subsided somewhat for Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez.
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WISCONSIN at OSU
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• Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. today, Ohio Stadium, Columbus.
• Records: OSU 3-1 (2-0 Big Ten), Wisconsin 3-3 (1-1).
• TV: Ch.9, 2.
• Radio: WPFB-AM (910).
• Line: OSU by 11.
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His No.1 task this week, as the Badgers prepare to play at No.21 Ohio State today, is to get the players to forget that debacle and deal with the game at hand.
“We always use the slogan, "What's important now,'” Alvarez said. “We need guys to get closer, to rally.”
The Badgers (3-3, 1-1 Big Ten) were routed at home by a winless Indiana team Saturday.
Indiana, which had been handled 27-14 at home by Ohio State the week before, led 32-0 after a quarter. The Badgers surrendered 449 rushing yards and 631 total yards in a mauling that left Alvarez bewildered.Meanwhile, Ohio State (3-1, 2-0) was playing its best game of the season, dominating both lines and everywhere else in a 38-20 win over then-No.14 Northwestern.
“I think we gained some respect from what we did,” safety Donnie Nickey said.
The Buckeyes defense has played well every game, despite meeting dramatically different offensive styles each time. Ohio State permits 125 yards on the ground and 15 points a game.
“I've been pleased, just in the four games that I've been around our defense, that they don't seem to get frustrated,” head coach Jim Tressel said. “When anything new is thrown at them, they talk about it, they adjust, they have confidence and they play with great speed.”
On the heels of Northwestern's spread attack, the Buckeyes defenders must now deal with a Wisconsin power game that is similar to what Ohio State's offense runs.
With tailback Jonathan Wells gaining 179 yards, including 71 on the second play from scrimmage, the Buckeyes relied on brawn instead of guile.
Ohio State has proven to be at its best when quarterback Steve Bellisari is handing off instead of when he's looking downfield for a receiver.
“We haven't used everything we could,” said Bellisari. “Hopefully this game we'll put a few wrinkles in.”
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Wyoming 49, Finneytown 20
Ohio State defense doing its job
