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COLUMBUS -- Were the Buckeyes ever in danger of losing this one? Permit linebacker James Laurinaitis to answer that.
"We (defense) looked at each other on the sideline and kind of said (collectively), 'Hey! we gotta get going.'"
This development came with Ohio State facing a rare second half deficit against an old nemesis. For at least a few minutes, there, the Buckeye Nation inhaled to take a deep breath.
About an hour later as the victory bell signaled the Buckeyes' 10th win, Laurinaitis embraced teammate Vern Gholston -- the weary pair celebrating a defensive performance for the ages.
Laurinaitis' line: a career-high 19 tackles, a quarterback sack and a fumble recovery. For Gholston? Four solo stops and four sacks.
"I'd imagine (Wisconsin QB) Tyler Donovan is feeling a little sore," Buckeyes' coach Jim Tressel observed. "We knew they were without their top running back (P.J. Hill) which meant they'd probably be throwing more than they're accustomed. (When that happens), our guys are gonna get after you."
In all, the Buckeyes recorded nine sacks of Donavan and came up big on a questionable play call by the Badgers' coaching staff.
Burned earlier on a 31-yard fourth down pass from Badgers' punter Ken DeBauche, Laurinaitis would not get fooled again.
This time, Wisconsin trailed 24-17 and faced fourth and three from its own 27 when DeBauche attempted a mad dash toward the down marker. But Laurinaitis said no, horse-collaring DeBauche for a two-yard loss.
"It was a surprise to see them try it in that situation, but we were aware of the possibility," Laurinaitis acknowledged. "I don't think there's any question all the momentum shifted to our side at that point."
In fact, Todd Boeckman's eight-yard scoring strike to Brian Robiskie opened 31-17 command four plays later and the Badgers' recent good fortune here was finally history.
To that point, Ohio State had struggled to generate offensive rhythm, this a week after a near-flawless 453-yard output at Penn State.
But Boeckman and the offense appeared lethargic until the chips were down.
That's when Beanie Wells confirmed his status as Heisman contender. The Bucks' 6-1, 235-pound sophomore is a good bet to take home college football's holy grail at some point during his career.
Wells and the O-line turned what could have been a sweat-it-out encounter into a late runaway. "Beanie really wanted it. Get him in the open field and he smells (the goal line)," Laurinaitis smiled. "Our job is much easier when we know the offense is gonna give us some rest."
Wisconsin's defense was not so fortunate. Wells, virtually shut down in the first half, responded with 143 after the break to completing a 21-carry, 169-yard, three TD afternoon. "It all starts up front," Tressel stressed. "Our guys opened some big holes and Beanie did the rest. Very encouraging."
Boeckman, meanwhile, passed for 166 and two scores. But the junior bailed himself out of at least a half-dozen jams, running for positive yardage to keep drives going.
"We faced a little adversity and handled it well" Tressel explained. "I think we got a better idea today what its going to take to win the Big Ten Conference.
The Illini are here next week as the '07 home season comes to a sudden end. "I can't believe how fast it's gone," said tight end Rory Nichol. "We've been on a real good roll and that's how we want it all to end."
BUCKEYE NOTES
OHIO State has now won a school-record 28 consecutive regular season games. Additionally, the Scarlet and Gray have won a school and Big Ten record 20 straight conference games…Ohio State is 32-2 during the last five seasons in Ohio Stadium…
WITH three catches for 46 yards and two TDs Saturday, Brian Robiskie has caught at least one pass in 22 consecutive regular season games. In his last five games in Ohio Stadium, Robiskie has totaled 32 catches for 593 yards…
THE Buckeyes are now 34-of-37 this season in the red zone. Under Tressel, OSU is 56-3 when leading at halftime…Boeckman now has 23 touchdown passes this season. He's two behind Joe Germaine who fired 25 in 1998…Bobby Hoying is second with 29 (1995) and Troy Smith ranks first with 30 last season…
OHIO STATE surrendered its first offensive touchdown at home this season in the third quarter when Donavan completed a 28-yard scoring strike to junior tight end TRavis Beckum who made nine receptions totaling 140 yards…
OSU football legend Bill Willis had his No. 99 jersey retired Saturday at halftime. A Buckeye lineman between 1942-44, Willis was a two-year all-American…