3 Big Things From Wisconsin Football 15-6 Loss vs. Iowa

Wisconsin football hosted Iowa this afternoon in a battle for the Heartland trophy. A considerable matchup to possibly decide the outcome of the Big Ten West. The Badgers felll to the Hawkeyes 15-6.

Here are three big things from the loss.

Wisconsin Football Loses Tanner Mordecai to Injury

Wisconsin’s new air raid offense is all centered around SMU transfer Tanner Mordecai. Although he has had a slow start to the season for his standards, Wisconsin needed him to show up today against a stellar Iowa defense.

The last thing Wisconsin football could afford was an injury to Mordecai. Late in the first half, while following through on a throw, Mordecai hit his right hand on an Iowa defender’s helmet. Immediately after, Tanner motioned to the sideline he “can’t throw.” He exited the game and would not return until he did in street clothes with a sling on his right arm.

Better look at how Tanner Mordecai injured his hand… pic.twitter.com/WSaA92odAN

— ESPN Madison (@ESPNMadison) October 14, 2023

Freshman quarterback Braedyn Locke replaced Mordecai. It’s a lot to ask of a Freshman quarterback to step in against arguably one of the best defenses in the whole nation. Still, Locke struggled—two fumbles, one that resulted in a safety and an interception to end the game. If Mordecai is out for a while, it will be interesting to see what the Badgers do at quarterback.

Wisconsin Football Defense Battled

Aside from the loss, you can’t put much of the blame on the Wisconsin defense.

They fought their hearts out and kept the Badgers in it until the end. Besides the one big play allowed on the 82-yard touchdown, the Badger defense was good throughout the day.

I would like to see them force some turnovers in a game like this, but it’s hard to fault their effort in this one. Without Mordecai, this group will have to be great in every game for Wisconsin football to have a chance.

Third Down Struggles

Third down has been a struggle all year for the Badgers, and today was no different. You won’t win a game when you are 2/17 on third down.

Several times, Wisconsin football wide receivers ran their routes short of the sticks on third down. A lot can be said about getting ahead of the sticks to make third down more manageable, considering today was a lot of third and long against a great defense.

Not to mention, Wisconsin gave up that 82-yard touchdown on third down. So overall, it was not a great day for third down.

Nathanial Vakos is Legit!

Bonus thing! It’s hard to find a lot of positives from a rivalry game where you lose 15-6. However, Wisconsin football scored six points thanks to kicker Nathanial Vakos, who drilled a 52-yarder. He has been rock solid all year and it’s awesome to have such a reliable kicker.

Wisconsin Football Fans Are Furious After Badgers 15-6 Loss to Iowa

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