Here’s what we learned from the No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers beating the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers 23-17 in Madison on Saturday night.
The No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers moved to a game out of first place in the Big Ten West with a 23-17 overtime win over the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday evening at Camp Randall.
Both defenses played at a high level throughout the night, as neither team had more than 153 passing yards or 337 total yards. The contest was close and competitive for the duration, with the largest lead being Wisconsin’s 17-7 advantage after the first drive of the third quarter.
Tommy Armstrong Jr. helped erase that deficit with a two-yard touchdown one minute into the final frame, and Nebraska tied the game at 17 with 3:43 to go. Wisconsin kicker Andrew Endicott missed a potential game-winning field goal to send things to overtime for the second consecutive game at Camp Randall.
The Badgers used their prolific rushing attack exclusively in overtime and went up on a 11-yard run from Dare Ogunbowale, although Endicott would shank the extra point. Wisconsin forced incomplete passes on third and fourth down of Nebraska’s overtime possesion to seal the 23-17 win.
With the victory, the Badgers need to win out and have the Cornhuskers lose one more game to take the Big Ten West, while Nebraska’s hopes of making the playoff are likely dashed. Here’s what we learned from Saturday’s Big Ten thriller.
3. The Badgers aren’t the only elite defense in the Big Ten West
Despite the 7-0 ranking and No.7 ranking, it was unclear exactly how good the Cornhuskers were entering this game. Nebraska’s best win of the year came at Northwestern back in late September, and the team struggled with some lesser in-conference foes over the past three weeks.
Nebraska answered those questions even in a losing effort by going toe-to-toe with Wisconsin at night at Camp Randall. Specifically, the Cornhuskers defense showed it could compete with anybody with a terrific effort against the Badgers.
The Cornhuskers were keyed in on Corey Clement all night, holding the Badgers star running back to 82 yards on 19 carries. Wisconsin had just 114 yards through the air, and was intercepted twice by safety Nathan Gerry, bringing Nebraska’s team total to 15 for the season.
Defensive tackle Carlos Davis provided some pass rush while helping to slow down Clement and company, and is only going to get better as a redshirt sophomore. Senior linebacker Josh Banderas was all over the field in one of the best games of his career.
If the Cornhuskers can play defense at this level, they can challenge Ohio State next week and go on to win the Big Ten West.
2. It might be time for Wisconsin to go back to Bart Houston at quarterback
The Badgers haven’t quite decided on a full-time quarterback between senior Bart Houston and freshman Alex Hornibrook. Houston started the first three games of the season but was removed during the Georgia State game, prompting Hornibrook to take over for the toughest part of the Badgers’ schedule.
While Hornibrook starts the game and plays the majority of the time, both quarterbacks have received playing time over the past two games. Hornibrook had 16 passes on Saturday night, compared to seven for the senior.
Neither signal caller was exactly lighting up the scoreboard, but the Badgers may want to consider going back to Houston down the stretch. Houston led a drive for a field goal in his first action in the second quarter after the Badgers went three-and-out three straight times, and was also under center for the overtime period.
The senior has shown more confidence in recent weeks, and Hornibrook’s numbers in Big Ten play don’t exactly inspire confidence. While it’s easy to understand the original decision to go to Hornibrook and he is obviously the future, Wisconsin’s best chance to make a New Year’s Six bowl is to give more snaps to Houston.
1. The Badgers can win even with Corey Clement struggling
As the passing game wasn’t happening on Saturday, Wisconsin’s offense was completely centered around the run game. The Badgers racked up a few splash plays on the ground to make the difference in a defensive struggle, and didn’t pass at all in overtime.
One might expect that meant a heavy dose of Clement, who is enjoying a terrific season. Surprisingly, the Badgers’ star only had 82 yards, but was helped out by other members of the deep Wisconsin backfield.
Bradrick Shaw opened the scoring on Saturday with a 21-yard touchdown run midway through the first with both teams failing to move the ball at that point. The best offensive player on the field was Ogunbowale, a former walk on who had 111 yards and the game-winning touchdown on 11 carries.
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Wisconsin has to be pleased from Shaw’s effort in limited action, as the freshman has all the ability to be the next great Badgers’ running back. Most importantly, the Badgers proved they have other weapons on offense besides Clement.