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Wisconsin Football: Badgers defeat Western Michigan 24-16, win Cotton Bowl

By Trevor Jossart

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Troy Fumagalli (81) drops a touchdown pass in front of Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Caleb Bailey (8) during the first half of the 2017 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Troy Fumagalli (81) drops a touchdown pass in front of Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Caleb Bailey (8) during the first half of the 2017 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Western Michigan Broncos Monday in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic to lock up their third straight bowl game victory

Securing their first BCS/New Year’s Six bowl game win since 1999, the Wisconsin Badgers knocked off the Western Michigan Broncos from the ranks of the unbeatens Monday afternoon, winning 24-16 and taking home the Cotton Bowl title.

Starting quarterback Bart Houston, who was benched earlier in the year, capped off his Wisconsin career with a near perfect game, completing 11-12 passes for 159 yards, with his only incompletion coming on a dropped touchdown pass off the hands of tight end Troy Fumagalli in the second quarter. Fellow quarterback Alex Hornibrook also saw some action, connecting on both of his pass attempts that included a touchdown pass to Fumagalli in the fourth quarter.

Perhaps the biggest storyline of the game was Fumagalli’s performance. Other than his dropped pass, the 6-foot-6 junior was flawless, grabbing six passes for 83 yards and a touchdown on the day in addition to this beautiful one-handed catch in the first quarter.

Senior running back Corey Clement helped lead a balanced rushing attack, rushing for 71 yards and a touchdown. Clement was seen kneeling in the end zone after the game near the Badgers’ “W,” capping off an illustrious career with the Badgers. Jazz Peavy also added 50 yards on the ground.

Wisconsin began the game hot, scoring on their first two drives. A long Broncos’ drive that took about nine minutes off the clock cut the lead in half before the Badgers added a field goal heading into halftime. A slow-tempo, but quick third quarter saw a Western Michigan field goal cut it to a one-possession game, but TJ Edwards- who originally committed to Western Michigan out of high school- intercepted Zach Terrell in the Broncos’ red zone to help set up a Hornibrook to Fumagalli connection to push the lead back out to 14.

Coming into this contest, the Broncos were 12-14 on the season on fourth down conversions. A fourth down in the Badger’s red zone was turned into a touchdown after a desperation heave to star receiver Corey Davis, bringing the Broncos back within in a possession. Failing to get the onside kick, Western Michigan was also unable to stop the Badgers’ ground attack, paired with a third down conversion to none-other than Fumagalli to help seal the game and secure the Badgers’ third bowl game win in as many years.

Wisconsin will open up the 2017 season home against Utah State.