Wisconsin takes care of Michigan, 24-10

Madison, W.I. ~ The fifth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers got the job done in a very Wisconsin kind of win over the #24 Michigan Wolverines. Wisconsin did not look pretty until midway through the 3rd Quarter, but QB Alex Hornibrook made some great passes and the Badgers took care of business, 24-10. In that 3rd Quarter, Wisconsin put up two touchdowns, and left leading 21-10. The win over Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan squad improved the Badgers to 11-0, and kept them in the College Football Playoff conversation.

Wisconsin freshman running back Jonathan Taylor picked up 132 yards on 18 carries, continuing an unexpected amazing season. Badger quarterback was only 9 for 19 with 143 yards with a touchdown and an interception each. But he made some really clutch plays on third down. Hornibrook made several beautiful throws in the second half to A.J. Taylor, after Michigan took the lead.

More impressively,the Wisconsin defense continued to be unbeatable, as they only allowed 65 yards in the second half, but 234 in the whole game. Linebackers T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connely combined for 21 tackles, and 4 were for loss of yards. The whole Wisconsin defense came together for 7 tackles for loss and 7 pass break-ups. Wisconsin’s defense limited Michigan QB Brandon Peters to 9 of 19 for 15 with 157 yards.

The Badgers scored first after the defense forced a three-and-out. Michigan had to punt and returner Nick Nelson let the punt fall to the ground before scooping it up and taking the ball to the house for a touchdown and a7-0 lead after the extra point. Click here to watch Nelson return the punt.

Michigan was threatening in the end zone in the 2nd quarter and after a Danny Davis touchdown was overturned Brandon Peters tried to do too much on a scramble and he fumbled the ball at the two yard line. However, on Michigan’s ensuing drive a 48-yard reception by Donovan Peoples-Jones propelled the Wolverines to theirfirst score, a 1-yard push by fullback Ben Mason.

Wisconsin’s offense did not look god at all in the first half, as they only managed to convert four first downs and one of six third downs. Taylor was held to 45 yards on 9 carries in the first half.

Early in the 3rd Quarter Hornibrook threw a very costly interception and now he has thrown an INT in every Big 10 game this season. This interception gave Michigan the ball deep in Wisconsin territory. The defense gave Hornibrook a break and the Badgers excaped with a field goal by Michigan.

With Michigan leading 10-7, the offense finally started making plays. On 3rd and long Wisconsin got a fresh set of downs. On 3rd and 13 Hornibrook fired a long ball to A.J. Taylor for a 51-yard reception giving the Badgers the ball at the 19. Facing another 3rd and very long, Hornibrook fired a bullet to A.J. Taylor into the end zone to retake the lead, 14-10.

But Wisconsin was not finished in the 3rd quarter quite yet. The defense forced another three-and-out on Michigan. On 3rd Down Brandon Peters was injured on  hit from Andrew Van Ginkel. The Badgers then drove 61 yards on 5 plays and scored on a 32 yard rushing touchdown from Kendric Pryor.

The Badgers just ate up the clock in the 4th and Rafael Gaglionone put a 30-yarder through the uprights to lead 24-10.

Wisconsin’s defense dominated the Michigan Wolverine’s in the second half, forcing 5 punts. Michigan’s longest second half drive was 26 yards.

The Wisconsin Badgers will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers next Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.

By Jacob Szczap