What Happened: Key Plays in Wisconsin Nebraska Game
The Situation: Wisconsin ball, 2nd-and-10 on the Wisconsin 12, 10:43 left third quarter
The teams traded punts to start the 2nd half. Wisconsin held a 17-10 advantage but had not been able to separate from the underdog home side. Nebraska punter Caleb Lightbourn was probably the Cornhuskers man of the match. He boomed one for 69 yards and averaged 47.4 yards on his five punts. Time and again he pinned Wisconsin deep. His 57-yard boot put Wisconsin back at is own 12. After Taylor was walled up on a run, the Badgers were staring at 2nd-and-10.
The Play: Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor scampers 75 yards for a touchdown
Wisconsin is in a single back set with twin WR to the left and a single WR to the right. A the snap a TE and RB Rachid Ibrahim run mirroring out routes to the flat. If anything, there were probably a little too close together which drew a crowd to the area. Hornibrook looks to his left and doesn’t like what he sees. He starts to get a little skittish (“happy feet”) in the pocket and doesn’t drive the ball off a strong foundation. The OL did the job given him a nice lean pocket. There really wasn’t any pressure on him as the Huskers played coverage. The Badgers had five OL to block three pass rushers. He stares to his right and throws late and soft towards Ibrahim. Aaron Williams easily cuts in front and walks in for the tying touchdown.
The Result: Wisconsin immediately answers with a quick-strike touchdown of its own and extends the lead to 17-7
Wisconsin had a 10 point lead with just over a minute left in the first half. Less than five minutes into the second half the game is tied. A big moment of adversity on the road for the Badgers.