The defense stiffened and Chris Wells ran for three second-half scores to help the Buckeyes overcome a third-quarter deficit and beat the Badgers 38-17 today.

The victory boosted the Buckeyes to 10-0 and ended Wisconsin's three-game winning streak at Ohio Stadium, dating to 1999. At 6-0 in the Big Ten, should they be able to win at home against Illinois on Saturday, they Buckeyes will be right on track for another showdown with Michigan for the conference title on Nov. 17 at The Big House.

Wells, who finished with 169 yards on 21 carries, capped a methodical 80-yard drive by cutting back to his left on a run up the middle for a 31-yard score to tie the game 17-17 late in the third quarter.

After a punt by Wisconsin (7-3, 3-3) gave the ball back near midfield, Wells did it again on an almost identical run. Slashing up the middle, he cut back to his left and was untouched, again, as he raced 30 yards to the left corner of the end zone for a 24-17 lead.

Then the Badgers imploded. Down by a touchdown with more than 12 minutes left, coach Bret Bielema gambled on a fake punt for the second time. Punter Ken DeBauche lost 2 yards when tackled by All-American linebacker James Laurinaitis on fourth-and-3 at the Wisconsin 27.

Four plays later Buckeyes wide-out Brian Robiskie reached back with his right arm to make a one-handed grab of a 7-yard scoring pass from Todd Boeckman. Robiskie had opened the scoring on a 30-yard TD reception from Boeckman.

Wisconsin also fumbled inside its own 25 twice in the fourth quarter.

After the second one, Wells tiptoed around left end, avoided a tackle at the 18 and cruised in for a 23-yard touchdown.

Down 10-3 at the half, Wisconsin muffled a crowd of 105,449 by scoring on its first two possessions of the third quarter.

Tyler Donovan completed a 50-yard pass to Paul Hubbard, then on second-and-25 at the Ohio State 28 he avoided a rush and hit Travis Beckham in the end zone.