Wisconsin would finally wake up in the third quarter, as Stave hit WR Jazz Peavy (2015 All-B1G Name of the Year Finalist) for a 42-yard completion, which set up a Badger touchdown.
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Wisconsin then proceeded to put on a performance that was unworthy of a championship team. “The first one he came up short on the ball and just didn’t follow through”.
It ended when a fourth-down pass from backup quarterback Bart Houston (because, of course) slipped through the hands of Tanner McEvoy in the end zone. Wisconsin QB Joel Stave completed a 22-yard pass to Troy Fumagalli that appeared to be a touchdown. Just like that, Northwestern improbably improved to 9-2 on the season.
A flustered Stave finished 20-for-34 for 229 yards and tossed two interceptions, the first to senior cornerback Nick VanHoose and the second to Walker.
PLAYING UNDERDOG: The Wildcats have lost their last two games against ranked opponents, falling to MI and Iowa in October. Not only did their football team struggle to muster any sort of momentum in the first half of their game against Northwestern, the team’s fans also turned on each other in the process.
Will Wisconsin or Northwestern score the win in this one? But Stave was forced to leave before Wisconsin’s final play from scrimmage after he was dazed by a sack. The Badgers clamped down in the second half, limiting Northwestern to just three points. Even more alarming is the fact that Northwestern is averaging a mere 16.3 points and 257 total yards on the road at 4.0 yards per play.
Jackson said the swing of emotions and anticipation was palpable in the closing moments, but the Wildcats had confidence their defense would get the job done.
Justin Jackson ran for 139 yards and a touchdown, and the Wildcats used a goal-line stand to hold on for a 13-7 victory over the 21st-ranked Badgers on Saturday.
Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1, No. 25 CFP) is well aware of just how unsafe Northwestern (8-2, 4-2, No. 20 CFP) can be.
Northwestern RB Justin Jackson vs. Wisconsin front seven.
Northwestern kicker Jack Mitchell was successful with field goals from 35 and 37 yards, and he missed from 27.
WIS-C.Clement 9 yard rush (Gaglianone kick), 8:24.
UW was ultimately able to find the end zone in the first half, as tailback Corey Clement scampered into the end zone from nine yards out, bringing the Badgers to within three.
“It’s two 8-2 teams”.
Clement returned to action after sitting out Wisconsin’s previous game two weeks ago at Maryland due to groin soreness and led the Badgers with 24 yards on 10 carries. Erickson appeared to be signaling his teammates to get away from the ball, which bounced before it reached him.
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In the second half, return man Alex Erickson muffed a punt just minutes after his apparent 78-yard return for a touchdown was nullifed by the officials.
