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Badgers Avoid Akron's Upset Bid By Barry The Bear |
IdataSports.com Sports Staff Writer
barrythebear@webtv.net
Posted Wed Sep 10 21:45:21 2003
Game MVP: Lee Evans= 214 yards receiving= 99 yard touchdown recption
Offensive Player of the Game: Anthony Davis= 247 yards rushing- 3 touchdowns
The Badgers appeared to be headed for an easy blow-out victory on Saturday at Camp Randall. Wisconsin opened a 31-10 lead the half. But Akron rallied strong in the second half, and overcame the 21 point deficit and trailed 34-31, and had a chance to win it. But the Badger defense stopped Akron on the goal line and then the offensive attack of Sorgi to Evans for 99 yards and a touchdown, scorched any upset threats from Akron.
The game started slow for the Badgers, as they fumbled the opening kick,and Akron recovered. The Badger defense did their part, and held the Zips to just a field goal giving Akron an early 3-0 lead. The Badger offense would answer the next two times they had the ball, as Anthony Davis would score both times, giving Wisconsin a 14-3 advantage. Akron would try to come back after the second score, but on third and ten, Ryan Aiello would intercept a pass for the Badgers. The offense stalled on the drive, and Wisconsin settled for a 22 yard field goal by Campbell, giving Wisconsin a 17-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Akron would bounce back on their first possession of the second quarter.Following a gain of 8 yards by Bobby Hendry on third and 1, Akron had a first and ten at the 47. Frye then threw a pass to Nick Sparks for a gain of 15 down to the 32. Two plays later, Frye passed to Miquel Irvin for a 30 yard touchdown, and following the p.a.t. Akron was back in the game at 17-10. The Badgers answered that score on their next drive.On first down at the 15, Davis ran for 25. Two plays later, Sorgi went to the air and hit Orr for a 31 yard gain down to the 24. The very next play, Davis broke open another big run of 16 yards,giving the Badgers a first and goal at the 8. Two plays later, on second and goal at the six, Sorgi tossed to Orr for the touchdown, and the Badgers extended the lead to 24-10. The teams traded punts on each of their next possessions. Akron's defense managed to get to Sorgi and sack him for a 12 yard loss. However, before the half ended, Wisconsin would find the endzone one more time. On the scoring drive, Sorgi gained 12 yards on an option. The drive concluded, as Sorgi handed off to Davis, who scored his THIRD touchdown fo the half, on a run from 14 yards out, giving the Badgers a seemingly safe lead of 31-10 at half time.
Akron came out smoking in the third quarter. Their initial drive started at the 20. On first down, Frye passed to Matt Cherry for 11 yards. A few plays later, Frye kept the drive alive on a third and 6, as he passed to Irvin for a gain of 16. Frye then hooked up with Kyle McDuffie on two seperate plays for gains of 12 and 18 yards. The second play gave Akron a first and goal at the 1. Bobby Hendry scored the touchdown, and made the score
31-17. The Akron defense forced the Badgers to punt on the next series and regained control. Frye passd to Irvin for successive gains of 11 and 13 yards. A penalty on the Badgers during the drive, on a fourth and 8, allowed Akron to keep moving. On first down at the 21, Frye passed to McDuffie for a gain of 19 yards, giving the Zips a first and goal at the 2. Next, Frye rolled out to his left, and scored the touchdown. After the p.a.t., Akron was breathing heavy down the Badgers throats, trailing by just seven at 31-24. Wisconsin would give themselves a little breathing room, before the third quarter closed. Sorgi, passed twice to Evans for gains of 17 and 15 yards. A reverse play would gain 13 yards down to the 22. The drive stalled,and Campbell came in and kicked a 35 yard field goal to extend the lead to 34-24 as the third quarter closed.
In the fourth, Akron once again stormed back and looked ready to pull off the upset. A touchdown in the early portion of the final frame, made it 34-31. The Zips defense would stop the Badgers offense, and get the ball back. Akron drove the length of the field, and were poised to score again, and take the lead. But..... the Badger defense stepped up and STOPPED the Zips short of the score on the goal line. With their backs up against the goal line, Sorgi and Evans would then connect with a HUGE play. Sorgi went back to pass, Evans was on the run and had already beaten his defensive coverage, Lee caught the pass in stride at the 40, and was off to the races for a 99 yard touchdown. Campbell added the extra point, and the Badgers regained control at 41-31.Wisconsin woud stop Akron's offense, and see their offense score once more to make the FINAL SCORE:
WISCONSIN 48
Akron 31
Badgers are now 2-0 on the season.
Next Game: vs. UNLV 11am Sat Sept. 13
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