INDIANAPOLIS — It wasn't always easy, but they got it done.
No. 1 Ohio State fought back from a 21-7 halftime deficit to beat the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers 34-21 and claim its third straight Big Ten championship. The Buckeyes scored 27 unanswered points in the second half.
Quarterback Justin Fields had 300 total yards and three touchdown passes (two to K.J. Hill), and J.K. Dobbins rushed for 172 yards and a score. Wisconsin back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 148 yards and a TD, but struggled after intermission.
With the victory, 13-0 OSU clinches a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time in three years. They will likely either play defending national champion Clemson or Oklahoma.
Re-live the action with our live blog below:
FINAL: Ohio State defeats Wisconsin 34-21 in the Big Ten title game.
The Buckeyes scored 27 unanswered points to claim their 3rd consecutive conference championship.
Ohio State 34 - Wisconsin 21 | 4th Quarter | 12:09
Ohio State leans on Dobbins, driving down to the 2 yard line before having to settle for a field goal.
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Ohio State 31 - Wisconsin 21 | 4th Quarter | 12:09
Justin Fields connects with K.J. Hill for another touchdown. Ohio State extends the lead to 10.
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Ohio State 24 - Wisconsin 21 | 3rd Quarter | 2:23
The Buckeyes take their first lead of the game as Fields connects with K.J. Hill who takes it in from 16 yards out. Also on the drive, Hill became the school's all-time receptions leader.
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Wisconsin 21 - Ohio State 17 | 3rd Quarter | 10:45
After forcing a three & out, Wisconsin's punter drops the snap on 4th down giving Ohio State a short field. Buckeyes couldn't capitalize and tie the game but Blake Haubeil hits the 27-yard field goal to cut into the lead.
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Wisconsin 21 - Ohio State 14 | 3rd Quarter | 13:21
The Buckeyes respond fast with the opening drive of the second half. Fields scrambles and connects with Chris Olave for a 50 yard gain then Jeremy Ruckert makes a leaping catch in the endzone to get this to a one score game.
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Wisconsin 21 - Ohio State 7 | Halftime
At the break, the Badgers are outgaining the Buckeyes 294-232.
Fields is 7-of-14 for 127 yards and 10 yards rushing. Dobbins has 75 yards with his rushing touchdown.
Coan is 6-of-13 for 100 yards with 33 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Taylor has 135 yards and one score.
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Ohio State 7 - Wisconsin 21 | 2nd Quarter | :15
Badgers extend the lead back to two-scores just before the break with a four-play drive on a Coan 1-yard keeper.
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Wisconsin 14 - Ohio State 7 | 2nd Quarter | :42
The Buckeyes get on the board just before the half as J.K. Dobbins leaps into the end zone to finish off a 10-play drive.
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Wisconsin 14 - Ohio State 0 | 2nd Quarter | 5:19
After Ohio State runs the fake punt deep in their own territory, the Buckeyes get down to the goal line but Justin Fields fumbles the ball and it's recovered by the Badgers.
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Wisconsin 14 - Ohio State 0 | 2nd Quarter | 9:41
A 14-play drive results in a Badgers touchdown as Jack Coan runs it in from 14 yards out.
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Wisconsin 7 - Ohio State 0 | End of 1st Quarter
We're through one quarter and Wisconsin has the game's only score. The Badgers outgained the Buckeyes 121-91.
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Wisconsin 7 - Ohio State 0 | 1st quarter 12:57
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Badgers get on the board first as Jonathan Taylor breaks free on a 44-yard run up the middle.
