Wisconsin returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown en route to a 31-18 upset victory over No. 1 Ohio State on Saturday in the Big Ten Conference.

It was the first time since 1981 that the Badgers have beaten the nation’s top-ranked team.

After David Gilreath stunned Ohio State by taking the kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown, No. 16 Wisconsin (6-2, 2-1 Big Ten) stretched the lead to 21-0 with a pair of touchdown runs by junior John Clay - 14 yards and 1 yard. Clay, who had the numbers of his offensive linemen shaved into his head, carried 21 times for 104 yards.

Ohio State (6-1, 2-1) scored 18 unanswered points to close the gap to 21-18. Devin Barclay got it started with a 21-yard field goal, then Dan Herron rushed for a pair of scores - a 13-yard run and a 1-yard run. A two-point conversion pass from Terrelle Pryor to Reid Fragel were Ohio State's final points.

The Badgers put the game away when James White (17 carries, 75 yards) scored off the left side on a 12-yard run. Philip Welch added a 41-yard field goal.

Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien provided steady leadership for the Badgers. He completed 13 of 16 passes for 152 yards.

Pryor may have seen his Heisman hopes vanish. He completed 14 of 28 for 156 yards, was intercepted four times and sacked once. Pryor carried 18 times for 56 yards.