The Play of the Game

There were a lot of great plays made by the Wisconsin Badgers against the Ohio State Buckeyes, but only one set up the upset. That play was none other than the touchdown return by David Gilreath.

The mood was tense in Camp Randall on Saturday, and the crowd was rowdy. After winning the toss Wisconsin elected to take the football first. A move that could be considered uncharacteristic of Badger football, but a move that set the tone for the game.

With the sun setting over Camp Randall Stadium the Buckeyes lined up for the opening kick, and what would result was most likely Jim Tressel's worst nightmare. David Gilreath would take the opening kick 97 yards for the opening score, and just like that Wisconsin was up seven to nothing, and the crowd would never be quiet again.

The play that should forver be known as "the return," set the tone for the game, and it instantly gave Wisconsin fans hope that Wisconsin could pull the upset. Without the Ohio State defense being able to get out on the field the Buckeyes were unable to show their best unit right off the bat.

Because of that stunning touchdown return the Badgers shut down the Buckeyes in the first quarter after running off 21 points. A deficit that Ohio State could never overcome as the Badgers went on to win 31-18.

Indeed the Badgers needed a few more touchdowns to lock up a victory over the number one Buckeyes, but it was the play that busted the game wide open. Not to mention that it proved the old mantra that "you can't win the game in the first quarter, but you can lose it in the first quarter."