Badgers regain top spot in Big Ten West after overcoming 14-point deficit

Late surge propels UW to road win in Champaign

October 23, 2023

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University of Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke notched his first career win Saturday, as the Badger offense bounced back from last week’s subpar performance. UW overcame a 14-point deficit to defeat the University of Illinois 25-21 on the road. 

The Badger offense put 18 unanswered points in the 4th quarter after the fighting Illini dominated the first three quarters of the game. Locke and newfound running mate Will Pauling found a rhythm late in the game while Braelon Allen continued to dominate on the ground.

“This was big,” Luke Fickell said in his postgame press conference. “I think big for confidence. I think big for just showing that we have the fight, that passion to play the game.” 

After going down 21-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Badgers once again found themselves with their backs against the wall late in the game. But, unlike previous contests, the Badgers found themselves climbing back thanks to a balanced passing and running attack, the likes of which we haven’t seen in games prior.

Wisconsin opened the final quarter of play with yet another stalled drive in Illinois territory and were forced to settle for a 41-yard field goal from Nathanial Vakos to cut the Illini lead to 11.

After a Maema Njongmeta sack stalled Illinois during the following drive, the Badger offense found momentum starting to swing in their favor. This became even more evident after Illinois star defensive end Jer’Zhan Newton was ejected for targeting on Locke. 

Newton was a major force in stopping the Badger offense for much of the game. The future first-round pick terrorized the Badgers’ offensive line and forced three quarterback hurries as well as a key sack to end the first half. 

With Illinois’ best defensive weapon headed back to the locker room, Locke and the Badger offense began to take off. Allen and the passing game quickly moved the Badgers into Illinois territory.

But, it was Will Pauling who made the play of the game. The Chicago native reached over Illinois’ defensive back Tyler Strain and hauled in a 20-yard touchdown to bring the Badgers within a score. 

After a successful 2-point conversion, where Locke escaped the pocket to find Riley Nowakowski in stride, the Badgers found themselves down just 21-18 with seven minutes left in the contest. 

The Badger defense once again held its own against Illinois QB Luke Altmyer during the following drive. UW was able to get the ball back in the hands of Locke, and offensive coordinator Phil Longo put on a masterpiece in the Badgers’ final drive of the game. 

Whether it be an 11-yard rush from Allen on third down or the unexpected trick play to Nolan Rucci to seal the game, the Illini had no answer for Wisconsin’s scheme to close the fourth quarter. 

“I give Phil [Longo], I give the offense, I give [Nolan] Rucci and Braedyn[Locke] all the props, because ultimately they had to make the play,” Fickell said. “Thank goodness he’s 6-foot-7, because he needed all of it.” 

The Badger offense will look to build off this weekend’s win after reclaiming the top spot in the Big Ten West with the University of Iowa’s loss to the University of Minnesota. The Badgers will now turn their attention to Ohio State University, Fickell’s alma mater, during next Saturday’s matchup against one of the top program’s in the nation.