Originally Published: Dec. 20, 2014 OHIO STATE VS. WISCONSIN Redemption: Buckeyes Blast Badgers, Claim Crown By JEFF SVOBODA Buckeye Sports Bulletin Editor As the Ohio State football team danced, high-fived and screamed its way joyous- ly throughout its locker room Dec. 6 in Indianapolis, there were a lot of emotions in play after the team’s 59-0 slaughter of Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. There was jubilation. There was relief. There was excitement for what was likely to come. And in some ways, there was aston- ishment at the lopsided final score of the game, a drubbing that went down as one of the largest demolitions of a ranked team in college football history. “If you would have told me earlier this week that we would shut them out 59-0, I wouldn’t have believed you,” senior Michael Bennett said after OSU won its first-ever league title game. “I think it would have been a hard-fought battle, but we would have come out on top. “But seeing the guys before the game and what was going on in the locker room and how just hyped up everyone was and how everyone bought in to what we were saying, maybe I thought they would get seven points. A shutout is a big deal against this offense.” Anything that could go right did go right for the No. 5 Buckeyes (12-1) against the 13th-ranked Badgers. Sophomore SONNY BROCKWAY PHOTOS Cardale Jones, making his first start in BATTERING THE BADGERS – Ohio State senior wide receiver Devin Smith (9) caught three touchdown passes during his career after the Michigan game injury the Buckeyes’ 59-0 win vs. Wisconsin, and sophomore Cardale Jones (inset) claimed the game’s MVP trophy. to J.T. Barrett, threw three touchdown Sweet Revenge The team jubilantly cheered Devin championship game, the Buckeye players passes and was in complete command of Sitting at home while nursing a sea- Smith’s touchdown catch that started the spoke unprompted about how important the Ohio State offense from the begin- son-ending injury a year ago, then-true shellacking just 1:59 into the game and the goal to return had been to the team ning. On the other side of the ball, the freshman linebacker Darron Lee had tears was equally thrilled when Wisconsin’s last- through winter workouts. Heisman campaign of Wisconsin running in his eyes as he watched his crestfallen gasp drive ended just short of the end zone Once that mission was accomplished, back Melvin Gordon came to an emphatic teammates walk off the field 52 weeks against OSU’s second unit to keep the the elders of the team spoke of how much end as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in prior vs. Michigan State and swore that he shutout intact. they were looking forward to returning to single-season rushing yards finished with would help make amends. After celebrating on the field and receiv- Indianapolis to exorcise the demons of the just 76 on 26 carries, a meager average of “What a difference a year can make, ing the Big Ten championship trophy from past year. They did so in grand fashion 2.9 per carry. right?” he said in the locker room this time commissioner Jim Delany, the Buckeyes against the Badgers. And when it was over, two of the team’s around. “I’ll never forget when I watched retreated to the team locker room for a “I think a lot had to do with how we larger objectives were accomplished. First, on TV last year, I cried. I cried a lot, and I team dance party captured by reporters. finished the year last year,” said senior Ohio State washed the bitter taste of last vowed one day to get a championship for Later, as reporters milled about, music tight end Jeff Heuerman. “We didn’t forget year’s title-game loss to Michigan State in my leaders and for my brothers, so it’s blared as hugs were exchanged through- that feeling, and they made sure of that Lucas Oil Stadium away, and the Buckeyes crazy what a year can make. out the night. in the offseason. We would watch before were impressive enough to move from fifth “It feels good. Watching it from the TV “It’s just a great feeling,” senior line- workouts, before mat drills, video of them in the College Football Playoff rankings to and then coming out and winning it a year backer Curtis Grant said. “Reality still celebrating out there and us losing and fourth, punching a ticket to the inaugural later, the feeling is indescribable.” hasn’t hit me yet. I think it’s all a dream. stuff like that. event. Lee’s smile was nearly a mile wide as But I wouldn’t trade this team for the “It was terrible at the time, honestly, “To be here and see this right now, I the party around him was in full swing. The world.” but it truly motivated us the whole offsea- don’t even know what to say,” offensive entire game – by far the largest shutout The thought that this year would be son. We learned from our mistakes and guard Pat Elflein said. “It’s just really win vs. a ranked team ever for OSU and different entered the team’s mind from the came out today and showed what we’ve satisfying that we came together as a second-biggest beating ever put on a top- second it returned to Lucas Oil Stadium. A been working for for the last year.” team. Everybody did their jobs, everybody 15 team in college football history – was year ago, Ohio State was the visiting team, played hard and we’re Big Ten champs. essentially a celebration for the team and meaning it stood on the east sideline of the Jones Shines That’s always the ultimate goal is every- its fans, who swarmed the home of the stadium, used the opposing locker room Oddsmakers made Wisconsin the body to play their best game, and that’s Indianapolis Colts looking to wash away and wore its road white uniforms. favorite before the game thanks largely what happened.” the lingering feelings from the year before. When the Buckeyes arrived this year, to the fact Ohio State entered the game they were the home team, which meant with a first-time starter at quarterback in using the Colts locker room and donning Jones. the team’s iconic scarlet tops. It was a fair move considering that when “We had that bad taste from last year,” Barrett went down late in the Michigan Grant said. “Coming out of the oppo- game with a broken bone in his right site tunnel (in walk-through before the ankle, Jones – who had thrown 16 career game), the first thing I thought about was passes in nearly three years in the program (Michigan State) coming out with their before the U-M contest – was suddenly the roses last year, and they were excited, No. 1 guy. man. It just hurt to be on the other end If there was any weight on his shoul- and to see it. Now we see what we can do.” ders considering the OSU season hung in That Michigan State loss motivated the balance, he didn’t show it. Jones was the team throughout the year. Before the superb from his first throw and finished Indiana contest Nov. 22 that allowed OSU with three touchdown passes on deep balls to clinch a share of the Big Ten East to Smith while completing 12 of 17 throws Division title and return to the conference for 257 yards and no interceptions. More 26 • BUCKEYE SPORTS BULLETIN Dec. 20, 2014 www.BuckeyeSports.com Originally Published: Dec. 20, 2014 OHIO STATE VS. WISCONSIN importantly, he was in command of the “It all starts up front with a game like Wisconsin (10-3) got little from its pass- Wisconsin cornerback Sojourn Shelton for OSU offense throughout the game. this,” defensive coordinator Luke Fickell ing game. Quarterback Joel Stave complet- the ball in the end zone for a TD. Teammates and coaches alike said they said. “To have the ability to be able to stop ed 17 of 43 passes for 187 yards with no Freshman Sean Nuernberger came on knew the 6-5, 250-pounder had the poten- Melvin Gordon, you’ve got to be able to touchdowns and three interceptions. The to add the extra point, giving the Buckeyes tial in him to shine, and most said they do a lot of things, and those guys did an Badgers were shut out for the first time a 7-0 lead just 1:59 into the game. weren’t surprised by his standout perfor- incredible job. As a whole everybody did since Aug. 24, 1997, vs. Syracuse, and it was “After the first touchdown, I knew the mance. a great job, but to finish the way they did, the team’s worst loss since a 59-0 setback game was over,” Smith said. “I went to Then there was head coach Urban there was more energy on that sideline against Earle Bruce’s OSU squad in 1979. Coach Meyer and I told him it was over. Meyer. in the last 45 seconds than there was the “We’re going to bounce back, take care Their demeanor wasn’t, ‘We can still win “I don’t use the word surprised,” Meyer whole second half.” of business,” said Wisconsin head coach this.’ I feel like they were kind of scared of said.