Indianapolis, IN – Once again, it came down to a desperate heave.
When Michigan State and Wisconsin met on October 22, Kirk Cousins' Hail Mary touchdown pass gave the Spartans a thrilling 37-31 victory and handed the Badgers their first loss of the season.
On Saturday, Wisconsin was in danger of falling again.
Instead, Russell Wilson unfurled a prayer on 4th-and-6 and Jeff Duckworth made a leaping 36-yard reception with 3:45 remaining. Montee Ball's seven-yard touchdown run on the ensuing play proved the game-winner, as No. 15 Wisconsin downed the No. 11 Michigan State, 42-39, in the inaugural Big Ten championship game.
Wilson threw for 187 yards and three touchdowns, while Ball ran for 137 yards and three scores for the Badgers (11-2), who captured their second consecutive conference crown and advanced to face Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
Cousins completed 22-of-30 passes for 281 yards and threw three touchdown passes to B.J. Cunningham for the Spartans (10-3).
With under two minutes remaining, Michigan State's Keshawn Martin returned a punt inside the Wisconsin 10-yard line, but the play was negated due to a running into the kicker call on Isaiah Lewis.
The penalty extended the Wisconsin drive, allowing the Badgers to run out the clock and seal the win.
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