Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini game recap: Everything we know
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Illinois game recap:
Head coach Paul Chryst and the Wisconsin Badgers (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten), who were seven-point favorites, dropped their second straight game on Saturday, 34-10, in a game that will undoubtedly force Badger fans to reevaluate the program's expectations.
In front of 76,000 fans at Camp Randall Stadium, UW’s offense managed just 208 total yards (206 passing, 2 rushing) – yes, you read that right, two yards on the ground. Embarrassing. The offensive line, in my opinion, looked overmatched all day long.
Wisconsin’s 208 yards of offense was the fewest since its game at Michigan in 2016 and their lowest rushing total (2) since 2015.
Wisconsin had 10 penalties, turned the ball over three times, and only averaged 3.6 yards per play. In short, it was a terrible, no good, very bad day.
Jim Leonhard’s defense allowed 307 yards, was manhandled in the trenches, failed to create pressure, and never forced a turnover.
For Illinois, this was the most points the Illini have scored in Madison in 20 years. I’ll say this – Bret Bielema had his boys ready to play for the Karma cup. Illinois out Wisconsined Wisconsin. Plain and simple.
Here’s a recap of Wisconsin’s home loss to the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Key to the game: Undisciplined football
Undisciplined football was the story of the afternoon for the Wisconsin Badgers – a trend that’s beginning to grow quite old.
Wisconsin had 10 penalties called against them, and the offense had three costly turnovers that put the defense in tough positions.
UW routinely shot themselves in the foot and didn’t play anywhere near good enough to overcome those mistakes.
One team made halftime adjustments, and the other did not.
Wisconsin has some soul searching to do as a program.
It was over when...
After completing 7-of-8 pass attempts for 98 yards in the first quarter, Graham Mertz finished 17-of-31 for 206 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
To me, the game was over when Mertz threw his second pick of the afternoon. I understand that Wisconsin was up 10-7 with 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter when it happened.
However, it was the culmination of our collective fear as Badger fans that Mertz can’t help but force the issue when the pocket collapses. After that turnover, he was never the same, and the offense stalled for three straight quarters.
Saturday’s throttling was Wisconsin’s worst offensive performance in six years.
Standout performers
Nobody. Next.
Honorable mention: Anyone who stayed for all four quarters.
What's next
The Wisconsin Badgers (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) will hit the road next weekend, playing Pat Fitzgerald and the Northwestern Wildcats (1-4) at Ryan Field on Saturday, October 8.
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Good Lord - has PC lost this team? How could the line be so thoroughly man handled? Just ... Wow.