The Wisconsin football team returned to Camp Randall Stadium tonight, drawing more than 71,000 fans despite the Milwaukee Brewers playing Game 2 of the World Series.
The offense got off to a slow start, but Wisconsin’s defense more than made up for it, suffocating the Trojans throughout the night and never giving them much of a chance to get back into the game.
Here’s what stood out from Wisconsin’s 24-7 win over No. 16 USC.
Game recap
After punts by both USC and Wisconsin, the Wisconsin defense forced the first turnover of the game after cornerback Javan Robinson tipped a pass from Jayden Maiava that resulted in a Bryce West interception, which he returned inside the redzone. The Trojans’ defense held tough, however, forcing Wisconsin to settle for a field goal, putting the Badgers up 3-0 with 7:20 left in the first quarter.
Wisconsin got another interception on the next possession; this time, safety Cairo Skanes stepped in front of a Maiava pass and returned it to the USC 35-yard line. Again, the Wisconsin offense squandered the opportunity, netting two yards on three plays, settling for a 51-yard field goal, which Lahm missed wide right, leaving the Badgers empty-handed.
USC’s next possession was a time-killing drive that took more than seven minutes. A lot of the extended possession was because the Badgers had multiple penalties, including two facemask penalties in the redzone and a brutal sideline interference on strength and conditioning coach Brady Collins, who was celebrating a big Sebastian Cheeks sack and an official ran into him.
Wisconsin’s offense finally woke up in the next possession, marching down the field on a seven-minute drive that ended with a Bryan Jackson touchdown run to take the lead 10-7 heading into the half.
Wisconsin got the ball to start the second half and took almost six minutes to go 75 yards, capping it with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Chris Brooks Jr. on a screen pass on 4th and 1, putting Wisconsin up 17-7. A heck of a call for offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.
USC answered the Badgers’ score by marching down the field past the Wisconsin 20-yard line, but an intentional grounding call on Maiava left the Trojans with a 44-yard field goal attempt, which Junior Poyser blocked, turning the Trojans away again.
The next USC possession ends similarly. After getting deep into Wisconsin territory, Mason Posa comes up with a huge sack, forcing a Trojan field goal. After a delay of game penalty, the Trojans attempted a 58-yard field goal and came up well short.
Wisconsin tacked on an insurance touchdown late in the fourth quarter, driving down the field and capping it off with a Ryan Schwendeman fullback dive to put Wisconsin up 24-7, which held through the end of the game.
What stood out
• Wisconsin made a point to get the running game going
After struggling to generate any offense outside of Colton Joseph’s running at UCLA, the Badgers made it a point of emphasis to get Abu Sama going. The Badgers’ top running back ran for 60 yards on 12 carries in the first half and finished with 71 yards on 17 carries.
The Badgers’ first touchdown came on a five-yard carry from Bryan Jackson, who plowed through a Trojan at the goal line to put the Badgers up 10-7.
If Wisconsin’s offense is going to get going, it needs to start with the running game, and they took a positive step tonight.
• This run defense is among the best in the Big Ten, maybe even the country
I wouldn’t say USC is a prolific running offense, but the Badgers absolutely suffocated the Trojans on the ground tonight. They held USC to -17 rushing yards.
-17.
Granted, some of that was due to sacks, but outside of the quarterback yards, they still only ran for 40 yards on 20 carries. Two yards per carry.
This defense can keep the Badgers in just about any game because it can take away the opponent’s rushing attack.
• The secondary is getting thin
Javan Robinson played tonight, despite being ‘questionable’ on the initial injury report on Wednesday night, but he was in and out for most of the night.
Safety Marvin Burks exited the game in the first quarter and didn’t return with an ‘upper body injury,’ according to UW athletics.
Slot cornerback Bryce West, who had a great first half with a tackle for a loss and an interception, left the game multiple times with what appeared to be an upper-body injury as well.
Luckily, Cairo Skanes and Carson Van Dinter filled in admirably for Burks, but at cornerback, things are getting pretty thin.
Game Balls
LB Mason Posa & Sebastian Cheeks: As usual, Mason Posa was all over the field. He made several meaningful plays tonight. As did Sebastian Cheeks.
The linebacking duo combined for 10 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for a loss. They were constantly harassing Jaydon Maiava, and it paid off handsomely for the Badgers.
CB Bryce West: Slot cornerback Bryce West was everywhere tonight, especially in the first half. He tallied a tackle for a loss and an interception through the first two quarters. He finished with five tackles, a tackle for a loss, an interception, and a QB hit.
Stats of the game
2: The Badgers intercepted two of Jordan Maiava’s passes. He came into the game with just three on the season.
5: The Badgers sacked Maiava five times tonight and were close on several other occasions. They were in his face all night long.
-17: Wisconsin held USC to -17 yards on the ground tonight.
What’s next
Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) will hit the road next week to take on Iowa (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten). The Hawkeyes are coming off a 13-10 loss to Minnesota.
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