Wisconsin Football Report Card From the 24-17 Win Over Nebraska

The Wisconsin football program snapped a three-game losing streak with a much-needed win 24-17 over Nebraska. The Badgers have retained possession of the Freedom Trophy and are now bowl-eligible for the 22nd consecutive season.

Here are my grades for Wisconsin’s offense, defense, and special teams from the win over the Huskers.

Wisconsin Football Offense Grade: B

After a string of middling to poor performances, the Badgers offense finally showed some life. 

Tanner Mordecai didn’t light it up on Saturday night, but considering this was his second game back from injury, the sixth-year senior did everything he needed to do. Mordecai finished the night with 160 yards and a touchdown through the air, plus an additional 51 yards on the ground. UW’s QB1 was more of a game manager, and he was a productive one at that. It was nice to see Mordecai make some strides from his previous outing.

It was another mediocre performance by the running backs, but Braelon Allen and Jackson Acker did their part to keep UW in it. The duo combined for 94 yards, and Agent 0 tacked on two scores. The run game hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, but it was good to see Allen and Acker running hard and making plays.

There’s not much to discuss with the receivers in this one, considering Will Pauling finished with 11 of UW’s 18 completed passes. I wrote before the season that the Cincinnati transfer could be Wisconsin’s WR1 this year, and well, he’s been that and some. Just a reminder: Pauling is a sophomore. No. 6 could really be special, folks. 

I thought the offensive line performed relatively well, but imagine my shock when Jack Nelson earned yet another penalty. What a rough season it’s been for him. 

Wisconsin Football Defense Grade: B

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Badgers’ defense was dog-walked in the first half before having a massive second-half turnaround.

Nebraska took a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter after a 55-yard touchdown run by quarterback Chubba Purdy and a 56-yard touchdown pass. UW was able to shut out the Huskers in the second quarter, but Nebraska finished with 270 total yards in the first 30 minutes of play. 

Slow starts have been killer for Wisconsin as of late, but right on cue, the Badgers turned it around in the second half. 

Wisconsin allowed just 95 yards in the second half and -1 yard in OT. Other than the game-tying drive the Badgers let up, the second half/overtime was yet another success for Mike Tressel’s defense. 

I need to give a shoutout to Preston Zachman, who stepped up big time after Hunter Wohler went down with an injury and secured the game-clinching INT. The redshirt sophomore has been playing very well recently, and I’m excited to see what his future holds if he keeps this up. 

Wisconsin Football Special Teams Grade: A

Special teams have taken a step back in recent weeks, but this was a nice return to form from the third phase. 

Nathanial Vakos connected on his only field goal attempt of the night and hit all three of his extra-point attempts. The former Ohio transfer has been a benchmark of consistency all season for UW, and he kept it going on Saturday.

Vinny Anthony has done an excellent job filling in for Chimere Dike at returner. The sophomore receiver logged three kick returns for 64 yards as well as two punt returns for 29 yards on Saturday. His contributions on special teams have been important, and he deserves his flowers for stepping up. 

The Wisconsin football program is now officially bowl eligible, a massive relief as the Badgers are set to travel to Minneapolis looking to bring Paul Bunyan’s Axe back to Madison without bowl game implications. It’s time to snap the losing streak to the Gophers, Wisconsin.

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