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Michigan Hands Wisconsin 6th Conference Loss By Barry The Bear |
IdataSports.com Sports Staff Writer
barrythebear@webtv.net
Posted Mon Nov 18 17:29:20 2002
Offensive Player of the Game: Anthony Davis= 26 carries> 154 yards> 1 touchdown
Defensive Player of the Game: Jim Leonard= 39 punt return for touchdown and seven tackles
Take away the first five minutes of the game on Saturday, and the Wisconsin Badgers would have been able to easily pulled off an upset victory over Michigan. Instead,poor defense and a fumble on offense easily led Michigan to an early 14-0 lead. Things are VERY SERIOUS now, as Wisconsin has just ONE game remaining to aquire a seventh victory to make themselves bowl eligible. This latest loss 21-14 leaves Wisconsin at 6-6 overall and 1-6 in the Big Ten.
The Badgers won the coin toss and Barry Alverez elected to defer to the second half,and put his defense on the field first. Michigan wasted no time in finding the endzone. The Badger defense was not ready and it showed. An off-side penalty kept the opening drive alive and gave Michigan a first and five at the 42. Next Chris Perry found a huge hole and gained 28 yards down to the 30. Two plays later, B.J. Askew found another hole and ran up the middle, then cut past Scott Starks for the game's first touchdown and a fast 7-0 lead. The Badgers received the kick and took over for their first possession at the 18. On first down, Davis carried the ball, he was hit hard by Marlin Jackson of Michigan and fumbled. The Wolverines recovered the ball at the 19. It took the Wolverines just three plays to find the endzone for the second time. On third and two from the 11, Chris Perry burst through still another sizeable hole and scored the touchdown. Following the extra point, Michigan led 14-0 with 10:40 remianing in the first quarter. From there, the two teams defenses took over,and the Wisconsin defense had the upper hand. The Badgers downed a punt at the three. Michigan was only able to gain five yards in three plays, and punted right back. Jim Leonard fielded the punt at the 39, and worked his way down field to the 20, where from there he went the rest of the untouched for the touchdown. Allen added the p.a.t. and it was 14-7 as the first quarter drew to a close.
The Badger's defense continued to hold Michigan to little yardage in the second quarter. Following a Wolverine punt, the Badgers took over at the 40. Davis broke open a run for 25 yards to the Michigan 21. Next he gained 11 yards down to the 10. Two plays later,on third and goal from the 2, Davis scored the touchdown. Allen added the extra point and the game was tied at 14-14 with 4:30 remaining in the first half. The Badgers had another oportunity to score before the half ended, but time ran out and put a conclusion to the hopeful drive. On the final play of the half, Bollinger passed into the end zone for Brandon White, but Orr also jumped for the ball and it popped loose and fell to the turf.
There was only one score in the third quarter,and unfortunatly for the Badgers it was by Michigan. Following a Badger punt, Michigan took over at the 23 with just under 11 minutes remaining. The drive lasted 16 plays and consumed 8:45. On the drive, the Wolverines converted on three third down plays. One of the conversions was a third and five at the 42, Navarre passed to Edwards for a seven yard gain. Eventually, the Wolverines faced a third and 3 from the 8. Navarre passed to Braylon Edwards who caught it at the two, and then spun his way into the endzone for the score and a 21-14 lead. From there, Wisconsin tried hard to come back, but it was not meant to be. On the next drive, Bollinger was sacked.
Early in the fourth quarter, Wisconsin's Starks intercepted a pass from Navarre, but unlike Michigan, the Badgers were not able to convert a crucial third down and 11 at the 36 and had to punt. The teams traded punts for the majority of the remaining game. Wisconsin had one last hope late in the game, starting a drive at the 45, which was aided by a pass interference on Michigan. Eventually, Wisconsin advanced down to the 30. Faced with a fourth and 10, Bollinger passed deep to the endzone, but it was incomplete. Incomplete as in much of this 2002 season.
Michigan held on for the victory.
FINAL SCORE: Michigan 21
Wisconsin 14
Wisconsin now 6-6 overall and 1-6 in the Big Ten
Up Next: Minnesota= 11am Saturday November 23
**** Wisconsin MUST WIN to become bowl eligible, and to regain possession of the Paul Bunyan Axe.
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