Badgers Gut Out Another Win » Brats & Beer

Posted on September 29, 2007

I’m sure this victory won’t win them many votes with the pollsters this week, but Wisconsin dug deep and overcame Michigan State today 37-34. Oddly enough, after giving up all those points and more than 560 yards, it was the defense that finally came through for the Badgers by making a last ditch stand at the 38-yard line with just over a minute to play.

This certainly wasn’t the sort of performance we thought we’d get from the Badgers defense this year, but you have to hand it to the Spartans, they have a pretty potent offensive attack. Both Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick are pretty good running backs and Michigan State did a good job of running the spread offense, which Wisconsin clearly cannot defend against. There were plenty of problems on the offensive side as well, with penalties and turnovers that allowed the Spartans to stay close in this one.

Thankfully, though, PJ Hill had another good day today, rushing for 155 yards and two touchdowns, and Travis Beckum put on a heck of a performance with his 10 catches. But the Badgers are going to have to play a lot better as the season goes on if they want to win the Big 10 and take that trip to Pasadena.

(By the way, did anyone else notice that ABC/ESPN totally shunned Bucky today? Every sideline shot had that stupid Spartans mascot but our turtlenecked playboy was no where to be seen. And here I thought Disney was all about the cuddly, furry animals.)

Up next for Wisconsin is Illinois, which is looking like it might be another big challenge after the Illini laid a second loss on Penn State today. The defense better come ready to play hard in Champaign next week or this season might take a real turn of the worse.

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