Halftime observations: All the ways Ohio State is dominating Wisconsin football

The Wisconsin football program enters Ohio Stadium Saturday afternoon ahead of its primetime matchup against the No. 3 Buckeyes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The University of Wisconsin came into Saturday’s game a 19-point underdog at kickoff. No. 3 Ohio State bettered that by five points heading into the locker room.

The Buckeyes’ offensive onslaught swamped the Badgers’ defense, while UW’s offensive ineffectiveness led to a 31-7 halftime deficit for the Badgers.

Here are three observations from UW’s dreadful first half.

Gashed from every which direction

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Ohio State marched down the field smoothly against UW’s vaunted defense, with the Badgers’ efforts futile against the Buckeyes’ explosiveness. The pass plays looked like pitch-and-catches during OSU’s first three drives. Ten of its first 15 plays went for 10 or more yards.

Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud finished the half completing 10 of 15 passes for 147 yards, two touchdowns and a late interception. His passer rating: a scorching 179.7.

Ohio State ran through UW’s defense when it wasn’t airing it out for big gains, accumulating 181 yards on a whopping 7.2 yards per carry. UW came into the contest allowing 76 yards per game.

The Buckeyes scored on their first five possessions in the first half.

Offense neutralized until second quarter

The Badgers shot themselves in the foot on their first drive, then went three-and-out on their next two drives. The total number of yards in that trio of possessions: 23.

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz drops back to pass against Ohio State in the Badgers’ Big Ten Conference opener on Saturday.

Jay LaPrete, Associated Press

Quarterback Graham Mertz made an errant throw behind junior receiver Chimere Dike, which was intercepted by Ohio State defensive back Tanner McAllister. It appeared to be a miscommunication as the junior QB and Dike had a conversation on the sideline afterward.

Stroud found tight end Cade Stover two plays later for a 13-yard touchdown. UW’s lack of success over the next two drives forced the defense back onto the field to face the wrath of a swift and seemingly merciless Ohio State offense.

UW’s lone successful drive in the first half came on a 10-play, 72-yard series that resulted in the team’s only touchdown off a Mertz sneak that took nearly five minutes off the clock.

Something to cheer

Isaac Guerendo, the fifth-year reserve running back, popped off last week with a 50-yard kickoff return against New Mexico State. He continued his positive trend with two first-half attempts.

Guerendo finished with 64 yards on kickoff returns heading into the locker room. That was punctuated by a 38-yard run to put the Badgers in good field position late in the second quarter. The offense did not take advantage of his efforts, going three-and-out.

Badgers in the NFL: Former Wisconsin stars who made NFL rosters Zack Baun, LB, New Orleans Saints Tyler Biadasz, C, Dallas Cowboys Quintez Cephus, WR, Detroit Lions Leo Chenal, LB, Kansas City Chiefs Michael Deiter, OL, Miami Dolphins David Edwards, OL, L.A. Rams TJ Edwards, LB, Philadelphia Eagles Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys Melvin Gordon, RB, Denver Broncos DAVID ZALUBOWSKI, ASSOCIATED PRESS Rob Havenstein, OL, L.A. Rams Matt Henningsen, DL, Denver Broncos Alec Ingold, FB, Las Vegas Raiders Isaiahh Loudermilk, DE, Pittsburgh Steelers Dare Ogunbowale, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars ALASTAIR GRANT, ASSOCIATED PRESS Kendric Pryor, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars Ryan Ramczyk, OL, New Orleans Saints Jack Sanborn, LB, Chicago Bears Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts Andrew Van Ginkel, LB, Miami Dolphins Cole Van Lanen, OL, Jacksonville Jaguars Derek Watt, FB, Pittsburgh Steelers J.J. Watt, DE, Arizona Cardinals T.J. Watt, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers Rachad Wildgoose, CB, Washington Commanders Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks Kevin Zeitler, OL, Baltimore Ravens Injured reserve / Physically unable to perform

These players were either placed on the injured reserve by their teams or are on the physically unable to perform list, thus not on the 53-man roster. 

Vince Beigel, LB, Baltimore Ravens (IR)

Logan Bruss (above), OL, Los Angeles Rams (IR)

Ryan Connelly, LB, Minnesota Vikings (PUP) 

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