By Rusty Miller
The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Two games ago, Northwestern opened things up and had Ohio State's defense guessing all night. Last week, Wisconsin dominated both lines and ran at will.

Heading into Saturday's game at Iowa, the Buckeyes are trying to channel their anger into a surly attitude after being knocked back on their heels by back-to-back losses.

"We need to do a better job up front, maybe go back to old school and just get nasty and kick people's butts," tight end Ryan Hamby said.

That's particularly true on a defense that was a bankable commodity the past 2 1/2 years but has been more of an undependable liability the past two weeks.

"I don't dwell on (the losses)," linebacker Anthony Schlegel said. "You really can't. It's done. (But) we're going to use the frustration of the two losses and carry it over to doing everything it takes to prepare for Iowa."

Northwestern came into its game with Ohio State on Oct. 2 having won just one of its four games.

But they converted 12 of 20 third-down plays, amassed 444 yards and averaged almost 5 1/2 yards on every play in a 33-27 overtime victory.

The Buckeyes said they welcomed playing Wisconsin, which had an unproven first-year starter at quarterback (John Stocco) and a straight-ahead running game that didn't rely on tricks or subterfuge.

But Stocco passed for two scores with almost no mistakes. Tailback Anthony Davis played keepaway from Ohio State in the second half, finishing with 168 yards on 39 carries and a TD.

"We've kind of been embarrassed the last two games on defense," linebacker Bobby Carpenter said. "We picked up our effort last week, but it got away from us at the end."