EAST LANSING, Mich. _ One quarterback looked like a rookie making his first Big Ten start. One played with the poise of a fifth-year senior.
Tyler O'Connor struggled mightily as Michigan State's committed costly turnovers. And the defense couldn't generate much pressure on Wisconsin's Alex Hornibrook, with the redshirt freshman shredding No. 8 MSU to lead the 10th-ranked Badgers to a 30-6 victory Saturday at Spartan Stadium.
The Spartans (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) suffered their worst home loss since a 42-14 blowout against Penn State in 2009, their only losing season under Mark Dantonio.
Defensive leader Riley Bullough did not dress with an undisclosed injury. The senior middle linebacker and captain did interviews after the Spartans' 36-28 win at Notre Dame with an ice bag on his right shoulder underneath his shirt and both of his arms tucked inside it.
Without him, MSU's defense struggled to stop the Badgers (4-0, 1-0) in most facets, but especially in critical third- and fourth-down situations.
Wisconsin converted 7 of 15 third downs and 2 of 2 fourth downs. Hornibrook, who got his first start in place of senior Bart Houson, shined for the Badgers. Hornibrook went 16 of 26 for 195 yards, a touchdown and an end-of-half interception.
Fifth-year senior O'Connor, meanwhile, made bad throws and poor decisions in MSU's passing attack. He was 18 of 38 for 227 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions.
Running back LJ Scott also committed a fumble that Wisconsin's Leo Musso returned 66 yards for a touchdown. Punter Jake Hartbarger muffed a snap that led to another Wisconsin touchdown.
The Spartans finally caught rhythm midway through the fourth quarter and got to Wisconsin's 23. Then left tackle David Beedle took a 15-yard tripping penalty, O'Connor took a pair of sacks, and the quarterback's fourth-down heave to Donnie Corley in the end zone was batted away harmlessly.
Game over.
Wisconsin converted 5 of 8 third-down attempts and both of its fourth-down plays in the opening half. Hornibrook completed 10 of 17 passes for 121 yards in the half.
The Spartans got on the board first with the a 48-yard Michael Geiger field goal that just sneaked over the crossbar.
Wisconsin followed that up with a time-gnawing drive _ a 7-minute, 38-second march that covered 65 yards in 16 plays. It also was set up by a third kickoff going out of bounds in three weeks by MSU kickoff specialist Kevin Cronin.
That drive featured four third-down conversions and a pair of fullback draws on fourth down to extend the drive. Hornibrook capped it with a 1-yard, play-action touchdown pass to tight end Eric Steffes to make it 7-3.
The Badgers then capitalized off a big mistake by O'Connor midway into the second quarter. The senior anticipated the blitz coming from his right but locked on to tight end Jamal Lyles on the right sideline. Wisconsin cornerback Sojourn Shelton stepped in front of the pass for O'Connor's third interception in three games.
Hornibrook had a 23-yard, third-down pass to Jazz Peavy to keep the drive moving. Corey Clement took over from there, running the final 7 yards and getting a 1-yard scoring run with 7:14 left before half. Badgers backup kicker Andrew Endicott missed the extra point.
MSU moved well into Wisconsin territory near the end of the half before the 16-play, 62-yard drive sputtered. Geiger booted a 40-yard field goal to cut it to 13-6 at the half.
The Spartans travel to Indiana for a night game next week.
