LINCOLN, NEB. – That Wisconsin Badgers Football team (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) watches Become Bowlable and return to the win column when it plays Nebraska (3-7, 2-5) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is scheduled for 11 a.m
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Nate Van Zelst connects to get Badgers on the board
After missing a 39-yard field goal late in the first half, Nate Van Zelst had no problem putting the ball through the posts on a 25-yard try at 4:50 in the third quarter.
The drive marked the second time in three possessions that the Badgers have moved the ball for an extended period of time. They move it 54 yards in 13 games before settling for Van Zelst’s first field goal attempt late in the first half. That drive lasted 14 plays, took off at 7:34 a.m. and went for 74 yards. All but 20 of those yards were gained on the ground.
Were it not for a false start penalty for third-place defender Jackson Acker and a goal from the 2, Wisconsin could have possibly reached the end zone. Instead, Chimere Dike failed to hold a potential catch in the corner of the end zone in third and seventh, and Wisconsin had to settle for the field goal.
Score: Nebraska 7, Wisconsin 3, 4:50 third quarter.
Strong winds are not doing UW any favors
Wisconsin’s best drive of the afternoon spanned 13 plays, went 54 yards and took 6:26 off the clock. However, the Badgers came up for points after Nate Van Zelst’s 39-yard field goal attempt fell about 5 yards short.
Wisconsin played against a wind that ranged from 18 to 24 yards at kickoff. Field goal attempts during warm-ups routinely fell short, so it came as no surprise to those watching that this try fell short.
The result means the Badgers have gone goalless in the first half for the second time this season. Illinois also shut them out in the first half.
Score: Nebraska 7, Wisconsin 0, 14 seconds, second quarter
Cornhuskers benefit from Graham Mertz interception
A bad call turned the field for Nebraska. UW quarterback Graham Mertz missed a wide-open Chimere Dike and was picked off by Malcolm Hartzog, who returned the ball 23 yards to the Wisconsin 37.
That turnover led to an eight-game drive that started at 3:33 a.m. and ended with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Casey Thompson to Trey Palmer, who was 6:40 a.m. left in the first half. The Cornhuskers won three first downs on the drive, including one on a third-down play pass to tight end Travis Vokolek that saw Nick Herbig and Kamo’i Latu miss opportunities to make the tackles before the first down secured was.
Score: Nebraska 7, Wisconsin, 6:40 in the second quarter.
The first quarter ends without points
Wisconsin and Nebraska each had two drives in the first quarter and neither came close to the end zone. Only the Badgers got past in midfield.
Nebraska ended the quarter with a total of 59 years. UW had 30.
UW honors Devon Chandler
The Badgers will wear a sticker on their helmets today in honor of former UW receiver Devon Chandler. Chandler, who transferred to Virginia after last season, was one of three people shot and killed by a former Virginia football players on Sunday.
It’s sure to be an emotional day for the Badgers, especially the team’s receivers.
Trey Wedig of the Badgers is out today
Kettle Moraine High School graduate Trey Wedig joins the game’s status report today. The sophomore offensive lineman struggled with right guard last week and was pulled in the second half of UW’s loss to Iowa last week. He did not make the trip to Nebraska and is out for the game with a left arm injury.
Two other players were added to the report first released Monday: kicker Vito Calvaruso (right leg) and defensive end Isaiah Mullens (right leg). Outside linebacker Aaron Witt (right leg) was listed earlier this year.
Off-season: CB Al Ashford – leg (left); S Travian Blaylock – leg (right); TE Clay Cundiff – leg (left); DE Mike Jarvis – leg (left); TE Cam Large – Leg (Right); ILB Luna Larson – leg (right); DE Isaac Townsend – leg (left).
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