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Badgers Bowl Over Colorado By Barry The Bear |
IdataSports.com Sports Staff Writer
barrythebear@webtv.net
Posted Sun Dec 29 13:36:33 2002
Game MVP: Brooks Bollinger=12 of 24 passing-242 total yards offense= 2 touch downs
Brooks Bollinger ended his career as a Wisconsin Badger,and the 2002 edition of the Wisconsin Badger Football team ended a roller coaster ride of a season on a happy, winning note on Saturday night, as Wisconsin defeated #14 rated Colorado 31-28 in overtime on a 37 yard field goal from Mike Allen.
The game started out on a sour note for the Badgers. After Bollinger directed several key plays on the opening drive of the game, and the Badgers were marching down field for an apparent score, disaster hit. On second and eight from the 18, Bollinger passed to Johnathan Orr, but the pass was intercepted by Donald Strickland, who returned it 91 yards for a Colorado touchdown, giving the Buffalo's a 7-0 lead. Later in the quarter, the Badgers returned the favor, as Scott Starks intercepted a pass, giving the Badgers a first down at the 19. Davis carried for eight yards on first down, setting up a first and goal at the 8. Two plays later from the five, Davis scored the touch down to tie the game at 7-7. Before the first quarter ended, Colorado would break the tie. On the final play of the quarter, Hodge passed 13 yards to Hackett for a touch down and a 14-7 Colorado advantage.
In the second quarter, following a trade of punts by the two teams, Colorado had the ball with a third and ten. Hodge passed down field and was intercepted by Donnell Thompson. On first down, Bollinger scrambled for a 17 yard gain.Next Davis carried for 10 yards. A few plays later, on third and eight from the eleven, Bollinger passed to Brandon Williams for the touch down to tie the game at 14-14. On the next drive for Colorado, Hodge was intercepted again! The Badgers took over at the thirty. Bollinger passed to Charles for 18 yards. Next, Davis gained eight, setting up a first and goal at the 8. Two plays later, on third and goal at the eight, Bollinger passed to Charles for the touch down, and Wisconsin led 21-14 at the half.
Colorado had the ball first to open the second half.The Badger defense stopped them and forced a punt. Unfortunatly, Jim Leonard muffed the catch and Colorado recovered at the 25. On the drive, the Buffalo's were faced with a fourth and 1 at the 16, they went for it and Brown picked up five yards. Brown then gained seven yards down to the 4. Two plays later, Brown scored the touch down from three yards out, to tie the game at 21-21. On the next drive for Wisconsin, Anthony Davis fumbled after gaining seven yards. Colorado regained possession at the 17. Back-up quarter back Zach Colvin, wated little time as he passed to Hackett for the score giving Colorado a 28-21 lead. The teams traded punts on possessions after that to close out the third quarter.
The Badgers stayed in it for the entire fourth quarter. And even though they simply traded field positions with a series of traded punts, they had their final chance, following a Colorado punt. The Badgers started at the 20, with 2:25 remaining and 1 time out. The first play was a huge gain, as Bollinger passed to Wiliams for a 32 yard gain out to the 48. Four plays later, Wisconsin was facing a fourth and 18 at the 48. Bollinger passed under heavy pressure and completed a pass of 27 yards to Williams. The next three plays gained ZERO yards, and for the second time on the drive, Wisconsin was faced with a fourth down.This time fourth and 10 from the 28. Again, Bollinger passed down field,and again he hit a receiver. This time Darren Charles for a 27 yard gain, which gave the Badgers a first and goal at the one. On first down, Bollinger ran it across for the touch down. Allen added the p.a.t. and the game was tied at 28-28. With no time outs remaining, all Colorado could do, was take two knees and let time expire sending the game into over time.
The FIRST over time game in the history of the Alamo Bowl, began with Colorado on offense. After three plays from the 25, netted a loss of one yard, the Buffalo's needing points, tried a 45 yard field goal from Pat Broughham. His kick sailed wide right. No score.
Wisconsin now had their first chance at the 25. The Badgers played it safe, knowing that a field goal could win it. Three running plays, straight up the middle, gained five yards. Allen came in, and he then converted a 38 yard field goal, which gave Wisconsin a stunning 31-28 VICTORY!!!
>> With the Alamo Bowl win, Wisconsin finishes the season at 8-6.
>> Barry Alvarez improves his Bowl record as the Badger's coach to 7-1.
>> With the victory, Brooks Bollinger finishes his Wisconsin career as only the seventh quarter back in Big Ten history to win 30 or more games in a career.
With Lee Evans returning in 2003 for his Senior year,and with Anthony Davis in the back field, and Jim Sorgi at QB, look for the Badgers to return to the top of the Big Ten.
Mark your calendars now for August 30th, when WISCONSIN FOOTBALL opens the 2003 season at West Virginia.
The 2003 home opener will be Sept. 6th against Akron.
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