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A dominating defense and powerful run game have been the hallmarks of Wisconsin Badgers football for nearly three decades now. Both were on full display in Friday night’s 34-3 victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
Star running back Jonathan Taylor powered Wisconsin’s offense with 145 yards on 18 carries. He scored a pair of long touchdowns (47, 30 yards) in the first half and it was more than enough for the victory.
He did have a hiccup though, coughing up a fumble in the third quarter. But, all it did was give the Badgers defense another chance to shine like it did all night long.
Taylor’s fumble happened inside the Badgers own 20-yard line, but the defense stepped up to the challenge and got a little help from a bad drop on fourth down to come off the field without giving away any points.
Western Kentucky struggled to sustain drives almost all night long, largely thanks to relentless play from the Badgers. UW forced four three-and-out’s and just 11 possessions overall for the Hilltoppers.
The Badgers defense allowed just 291 total yards and the young secondary stood up to the test of 26 attempted passes on the night. Wisconsin’s secondary allowed just 181 yards through the air and finished with an interception as well.
Wisconsin faced a few tests in the second half though, including four straight possessions that went in to the red zone. UW forced two turnovers, a failed fourth-down conversion and just a single field goal out of those four appearances inside UW’s 20-yard line.
It all added up to a comfortable victory while not showing upcoming opponents much of anything sophisticated.
After letting its first possession stall out on offense and punting the ball, the Badgers defense came up big in response.
Jonathan Taylor proceeded to pick up the defense on the very next play. He took it 47 yards for a touchdown on UW’s first play of the second possession of the game.
Wisconsin was up 7-0 with 7:38 to go in the first quarter and the expected route of the Hilltoppers looked to be on. But, the offense would struggle throughout large portions of the first half despite that promising start.
UW’s defense picked them up though, allowing no points and forcing the Hilltoppers to four three-and-outs in seven first half possessions. Western Kentucky went in to the half with just 79 total yards and just 33 yards through the air.
After being forced to punt on back-to-back possessions following the touchdown, the Badgers offense got going in the second quarter.
Rafael Gaglianone knocked in a 39-yard field goal to put the Badgers up 10-0 with 8:44 to go in the second quarter.
That was followed up by Taylor’s second easy touchdown of the night. He scampered 30 yards to the end zone and put the Badgers up 17-0 with 3:48 to go in the half.
Wisconsin’s defense stuffed the Western Kentucky offense again on its next possession, and then Hornibrook went to work in the two-minute offense.
He capped off an impressive drive by hitting sophomore wide receiver Kendric Pryor on a 2-yard touchdown thrown. UW went 11 plays and 75 yards in just 1:48.
All that momentum came to a screeching halt after halftime though. UW couldn’t find a way to get things in to the end zone early on, settling for a 42-yard field goal from Gaglianone.
Taylor would fumble on the next Badgers possession and wouldn’t be entrusted with many more carries at that point. But, Wisconsin managed to find another running back willing to get in the end zone.
UW’s next possession following Taylor’s fumble looked like it was about to stall out. Then running back Garrett Groshek caught a seemingly give-up screen on third and long.
He would get a great set of blocks by the offensive line and a little more luck led to Groshek scampering for a 43-yard touchdown reception.
It was quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s second TD pass of the night. The junior had a solid overall night — completing 17 of 29 passes for 257 yards and the two touchdowns to no interceptions.
There is plenty of room for growth, as Hornibrook struggled when the play broke down and still took too many chances in to multiple coverages for anyone’s liking. But, not throwing a pick and throwing a pair of TD’s in the opener is a good step in the consistent direction.
Hornibrook was able to get a big night from junior wide receiver A.J. Taylor, who put up five receptions for 85 yards. Meanwhile sophomore wide receiver Kendric Pryor and redshirt freshman Jake Ferguson had four receptions each in the win.
The Badgers will have an even bigger challenge in front of them next week though — taking on the New Mexico Lobos next Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 11am CT and will be seen on BTN.
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Star running back Jonathan Taylor powered Wisconsin’s offense with 145 yards on 18 carries. He scored a pair of long touchdowns (47, 30 yards) in the first half and it was more than enough for the victory.
He did have a hiccup though, coughing up a fumble in the third quarter. But, all it did was give the Badgers defense another chance to shine like it did all night long.
Taylor’s fumble happened inside the Badgers own 20-yard line, but the defense stepped up to the challenge and got a little help from a bad drop on fourth down to come off the field without giving away any points.
Western Kentucky struggled to sustain drives almost all night long, largely thanks to relentless play from the Badgers. UW forced four three-and-out’s and just 11 possessions overall for the Hilltoppers.
The Badgers defense allowed just 291 total yards and the young secondary stood up to the test of 26 attempted passes on the night. Wisconsin’s secondary allowed just 181 yards through the air and finished with an interception as well.
Wisconsin faced a few tests in the second half though, including four straight possessions that went in to the red zone. UW forced two turnovers, a failed fourth-down conversion and just a single field goal out of those four appearances inside UW’s 20-yard line.
It all added up to a comfortable victory while not showing upcoming opponents much of anything sophisticated.
After letting its first possession stall out on offense and punting the ball, the Badgers defense came up big in response.
Jonathan Taylor proceeded to pick up the defense on the very next play. He took it 47 yards for a touchdown on UW’s first play of the second possession of the game.
Wisconsin was up 7-0 with 7:38 to go in the first quarter and the expected route of the Hilltoppers looked to be on. But, the offense would struggle throughout large portions of the first half despite that promising start.
UW’s defense picked them up though, allowing no points and forcing the Hilltoppers to four three-and-outs in seven first half possessions. Western Kentucky went in to the half with just 79 total yards and just 33 yards through the air.
After being forced to punt on back-to-back possessions following the touchdown, the Badgers offense got going in the second quarter.
Rafael Gaglianone knocked in a 39-yard field goal to put the Badgers up 10-0 with 8:44 to go in the second quarter.
That was followed up by Taylor’s second easy touchdown of the night. He scampered 30 yards to the end zone and put the Badgers up 17-0 with 3:48 to go in the half.
Wisconsin’s defense stuffed the Western Kentucky offense again on its next possession, and then Hornibrook went to work in the two-minute offense.
He capped off an impressive drive by hitting sophomore wide receiver Kendric Pryor on a 2-yard touchdown thrown. UW went 11 plays and 75 yards in just 1:48.
All that momentum came to a screeching halt after halftime though. UW couldn’t find a way to get things in to the end zone early on, settling for a 42-yard field goal from Gaglianone.
Taylor would fumble on the next Badgers possession and wouldn’t be entrusted with many more carries at that point. But, Wisconsin managed to find another running back willing to get in the end zone.
UW’s next possession following Taylor’s fumble looked like it was about to stall out. Then running back Garrett Groshek caught a seemingly give-up screen on third and long.
He would get a great set of blocks by the offensive line and a little more luck led to Groshek scampering for a 43-yard touchdown reception.
It was quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s second TD pass of the night. The junior had a solid overall night — completing 17 of 29 passes for 257 yards and the two touchdowns to no interceptions.
There is plenty of room for growth, as Hornibrook struggled when the play broke down and still took too many chances in to multiple coverages for anyone’s liking. But, not throwing a pick and throwing a pair of TD’s in the opener is a good step in the consistent direction.
Hornibrook was able to get a big night from junior wide receiver A.J. Taylor, who put up five receptions for 85 yards. Meanwhile sophomore wide receiver Kendric Pryor and redshirt freshman Jake Ferguson had four receptions each in the win.
The Badgers will have an even bigger challenge in front of them next week though — taking on the New Mexico Lobos next Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 11am CT and will be seen on BTN.
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