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Wildcats Rack-up 675 yards and a victory By Barry The Bear |
IdataSports.com Sports Staff Writer
barrythebear@webtv.net
Posted Mon Oct 10 22:33:41 2005
Game MVP: Brian Calhoun= 250 total yards(122 rushing; 128 receiving)
Offensive Player of the Game: John Stocco- 326 yards passing=4 touchdowns
Defensive Player of the Game: Northwestern Safety Reggie Mcpherson- Game winning interception
You would think and expect that when your quarterback throws for 326 yards with four touchdowns, and your prime running back becomes the first player in school history to go over 100 yards rushing(122) and receiving(128) in the same game that the Badgers would post a victory and be 6-0. Instead...... the Wisconsin defense got lost somewhere on the Illinois toll-road and allowed Northwestern to once again post another victory on their turf, 51-48.
FIRST QUARTER:
Both teams opening drives resulted in punts. The Badgers opening drive punt, actually set up their next possession's score as Debauche punted and the Badgers pinned the Wildcats down at the 1. Northwestern was not able to move the ball and punted back. Brandon Williams returned it 17 yards to set up the offense at the 31. It took only four plays for the score, on a third and five, Stocco hit Orr on a fifteen yard pass for the touchdown. Mehlaff added the p.a.t. for an early 7-0 lead.
Late in the quarter, Stocco throws an interception, to set-up the Wildcats first scoring drive, which carries over into the second quarter.
SECOND QUARTER:
Wildcat quarterback Brett Basanez showed that he would be a key factor in the game stats. On a third and five, he kept the drive alive by completing an 11 yard pass. Basanez also converted a 27 yard pass to keep the drive going despite a 15 yard penalty for clipping. Eventually Basanez capped off the drive by running an option for a four yard touchdown. Following the p.a.t. the game was tied at 7-7.
The Badgers stormed right back to regain the lead. The drive was well sustained covering 71 yards in 12 plays. On a third and five, Stocco completed a pass for ten yards to Calhoun. The Badgers would convert two other times on third downs during the drive. Eventually, Booker Stanley followed the blocking of Bill Rentmeister for the touchdown. Mehlaff added the p.a.t. for a 14-7 lead.
The Badgers would increase the lead out to ten points on the next drive. Stocco passed to Williams for a 25 yard gain. On a third and ten, Calhoun gained 12 on a screen pass. The drive eventually stalled and Mehlaff connected on a 27 yard field goal for a 17-7 lead.
Northwestern would gain momentum to close out the half, which propelled them on into the second half. Sutton gained 28 yards. A few plays later, Basanez connected on a 34 yard pass, which set-up a 23 yard field goal from Howell with four seconds left to make it a 17-10 score at halftime.
THIRD QUARTER:
The Wildcats roared from start to finish in the second half. Northwestern took the second half kick and marched eighty yards in seven plays. Tyrell Sutton had a huge run for 45 yards. Basanez then gained 20 yards on a keeper. A few plays later, Basanez passed to Philmore for the touchdown. The Badgers blocked the extra point, and held on to the lead at 17-16.
The Wildcats extended the lead on their next drive. Ross Lane caught a pass for a 25 yard gain. Roberson gained ten yards for a first and goal. Two plays later, Sutton scored from two yards out. The p.a.t. was good, giving Northwestern a 23-17 lead with just under six minutes left.
The Badgers stormed back next. Stocco passed to Calhoun for gains of 15 and 27 yards. That was the best the Badgers could do on the drive. Mehlaff kept it close as he connected from 46 yards out to narrow the gap to 23-20.
The Wildcats struck back quick and built up the first of several ten point advantages. Kim Thompson, beat his Badger defenders and scored on a 53 yard pass from Basanez to make the score 30-20 with 2:25 left.
There would be MORE fireworks worth of scoring before the quarter ended. Wisconsin answered the call next. Calhoun notched his longest run of the season of 42 yards. Stanley gained 10 yards and Stocco ran for eight. Calhoun capped off the drive as he scored from one yard out. Mehlaff added the p.a.t. to get the Badgers back to within three at 30-27 with just over a minute left.
The Wildcats stormed right back to close out the quarter.Gerad Hamett returned the kick-off 82 yards down to the 14. On second down, Sutton took an option pitch and ran untouched for the touchdown. With the p.a.t., the Wildcats led 37-27.
FOURTH QUARTER:
The drive ended the third and carried over into the fourth. Stocco passed to Orr for a huge 30 yard gain. Calhoun then caught a screen pass for a 15 yard gain. Eventually Stocco found Orr again for a pass completion of nine yards and a touchdown. Mehlaff added the p.a.t. to narrow the gap to 37-34.
The Wildcats would score the next 14 points to open up a 51-34 lead. The second one being a 65 yard run from Sutton.
The Badgers were down, but not out as they quickly answered with 14 straight points, both scores from Stocco to Orr for his third and fourth tochdowns. Following Orr's fourth TD of the day, the Badgers were back in the game, trailing by just three 51-48 with 2:48 to play.
The Badgers stopped Northwestern on the next drive and following a punt, had the ball back at the three with 1:23 left to play. On first down, Stocco was flushed out of the pocket and tried to pass to Orr, BUT.... Reggie Mcpherson intercepted the pass. With no time-outs remaining, the Badgers watched as Northwestern took two knees to run out the clock and make the FINAL SCORE
Northwestern 51
Wisconsin 48
Wisconsin is now 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten
NEXT GAME: At Minnesota
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