Headline: Badgers get Ugly WIN at Iowa Offensive Player of the Game: Chris Chambers--11 receptions>>191 yards
The Wisconsin Badgers entered Saturday's game against the Iowa Hawkeyes knowing that they needed to win three of the last four games to qualify for a Bowl game. A loss to the Hawkeyes would have meant the Badgers would have needed to win the final three just to get bowl eligible.
On Saturday in Iowa City, it wasn't exactly an easy win or even a impressive win...... but all that matters at this point is the fact that it was a WIN 13-7.
Iowa won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick. The Badger defense was ready to answer the opening bell, as they held the Hawkeyes to three plays, including a SACK of Kyle McCann on one down. Iowa was forced to punt..... Nick Davis fielded the punt but fumbled it. The Hawkeyes recovered at midfield. The Badger defense was ready again as they SACKED McCann again o third down. Iowa was forced to punt again, and the Badgers offense got their first series of the day. Bollinger returned as the starter, after missing last week against Purdue due to the concussion. Michael Bennett and Chris Chambers were both quick to ignite the offense. Chambers caught passes for gains of 19 and 20 yards. Bollinger also contributed with a run of 17 yards. The drive eventually stalled and Vitaly Pisetsky came on to kick a 46 yard field goal to give the Badgers an early 3-0 lead. The teams exchanged possessions and punts for the remainder f the quarter.
In the early second quarter, the Badgers would extend the lead on the first drive. Bollinger connected on pass completions of 25 yards to Chambers, which was big, because it kept the drive going on a third and eight. Bollinger also connected with his tight ends on the drive, hitting on pass receptions of 9 yards to Mark Annelli, and then on a 10 yard pass to Dague Retzlaff which brought the Badgers down to the 12. Things came to a halt, and the Badgers settled for another field goal by Pisetsky, this one from 32 yards to make the score 6-0.
Once again, the teams exchanged punts on their next drives. Later in the quarter, Iowa had the ball after they recovered a Badger fumble at the 18. On the second play when it appeared Iowa was poised to score... McCann was Intercepted by Jamar Fletcher, who returned it 15 yards. The Badger offense wasted no time..... Bollinger hit Chambers for a 40 yard gain..... then the two connected on another gain of 14 yards. The drive culminated as Bennett leaped over the line for a touchdown to give the Badgers a 13-0 lead. The Hawkeyes threatened to tighten the game score on their next drive, as they came close to scoring a touchdown..... but a pass by McCann to one of his open receivers in the endzone was bobbled and intercepted by Michael Broussard. The Badgers escaped into the locker room leading 13-0 at half.
The Badgers offense started the action in the second half.After Bennett failed to gain yardage on his first two carries, Bollinger connected with Chambers for a 12 yard gain. The drive continued to do well, but eventually ended as Bollinger was intercepted. Iowa took over at the 42. The Hawkeyes failed to capitalize on the turnover, and were forced to punt. However...... on their next drive, the Badgers also sputtered and returned the punt.
The Hawkeyes regained control at the 30. On the first play of the drive....Ladell Betts found open ground and raced 51 yards down to the 19. Betts would later give the Hawkeyes a first and goal. The drive eventallly ended as the Hawkeyes scored on a seven yard touchdown pass from McCann.
The Badgers had a chance to extend the lead early in the fourth with a 40 yard field goal attempt by Pisetsky.... but the officials under the goal posts ruled it was no-good. The teams exchanged offensive possessions and punts for the majority of the remaining fourth quarter. The Badgers had the ball late in the game and were able to run out the final seven and half minutes.... it was a dominating drive of 17 plays..... 90 yards..... The drive also saw the Badgers make a field goal to momentarily make the score 16-7...... but a penalty on the Hawkeyes, gave the Badgers the option of accepting the penalty, and negating the field goal. Barry Alvarez elected to do it, so Iowa could not get the ball back..... the gamble worked as the Badgers ran out the clock and ran away with an ugly VICTORY.
FINAL SCORE: Wisconsin 13
Iowa 7
Badgers now 5-4 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten
Next GAME: Saturday vs Minnesota.... 11:10 at CAMP Randall
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