Headline: Badgers Struggle in Victory over Northwestern Game MVP: Jamar Fletcher--- 93 yard interception return for a TOUCHDOWN Offensive Player of the Game: Ron Dayne--162 yards rushing and 2 TOUCHDOWNS Defensive Player of the Game: Jamar Fletcher--- 93 yard intrception return for a TOUCHDOWN
Following blow-out victories the past two weeks against Indiana and Michigan State, it all but appeared on paper that the Badgers would cruise to another victory on Saturday against Northwestern. YES...... the Badgers won for the FIFTH straight time this season to improve to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the conference, BUT, the Badgers struggled at times on Saturday on route to a 35-19 victory.
The Badgers came out in the first quarter, and made it look like they would indeed produce their third straight blow-out victory by taking a 14-0 lead. Brooks Bollinger continued to mature at quarterback by self directing the Badgers to their first score of the afternoon, taking the Badgers 75 yards in 14 plays and capped off the drive by scoring the touchdown himself on a five yard run around the left end. Late in the first quarter, Ron Dayne extended the Badgers lead when he found a WIDE OPEN hole in the middle and ran 24 yards into the endzone. Following the extra point by Pisetsky, the Badgers led 14-0.
The Badger's offense went to sleep during the second quarter, and the defense managed to keep the Wildcats in-check through the course of a lifeless fifteen minutes. The only excitement happened when Mike Echols intercepted a pass in the end zone with just 29 seconds left, and the Badgers went to the locker room at half leading 14-0.
On the Badgers opening drive of the second half, the normally dependable Ron Dayne fumbled and Northwestern safety Kyle Sanders recovered it on the 24. The Badger defense came through and held the Wildcats to a 22 yard field goal to allow the Badgers to stay ahead 14-3.
Playing off of the momentum they built up with the field goal on their previous drive, the Wildcats next possession saw them drive deep into the Badgers territory. Just when it appeared they were driving in for a score, Jamar Fletcher INTERCEPTED a pass at the 7...... got behind a wall of his blockers, cut back across the field..... ran down the field, and jst when it looked like he would run out of gas, and be tackled, he eluded a tackle and darted the final ten yards for the TOUCHDOWN. Pisetsky kicked the extra point, and the Badgers extended the lead to 21-3 with just over five minutes remaining in the quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Badger offense awoke from their nap and scored two times. Once again, as in the first quarter, Bollinger led the Badgers on the scoring drive. Bollinger threw a pass of 30 yards to Chris Chambers to give the Badgers a first down at the 18. Later Dayne capped off the drive when he scored the touch down from five yards out.
The Wildcats reduced the lead to 28-11, when Damien Anderson scored on a nine yard run, and Zak Kustok threw a pass for a two point conversion. The Wildcats then attempted an on-sides kick, but the Badgers managed to recover it at the 43. Five plays later, Bollinger threw a 27 yard pass to Chris Chambers for a TOUCHDOWN with just over 4:30 remaining. Followig the extra point, the Badgers extended the lead to 35-11. The Wildcats didn't give up, while the Badger defense relaxed in the final minutes. Northwestern managed to score a touchdown with 45 seconds left and again converted for two points to make the FINAL SCORE Wisconsin 35
Northwestern 19
Badgers are now 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the conference.
REDWEAR P.O. Box 204 Menomonee Falls, Wi 53052 Voice: (414) 251-7888 Fax: (414) 251-7880 redwear@idata.com
This merchandising site sponsored by
Interactive Data. All
orders will be provided with a money back guarantee. If you
are not completely satisfied, return your purchase within 30 days
of purchase for a full refund (Shipping Excluded). If you have any questions
or comments, regarding this www site, please send them to
sales@idata.com.
REDWEAR Wisconsin Badgers Merchandise
