What Happened: Key Plays in Wisconsin Nebraska Game
The Situation: Nebraska kickoff, 10:43 left third quarter
The Badger situation nearly got worse immediately following the pick6. On the ensuing kickoff, AJ Taylor brought the ball out of the end zone. Much like Ron Burgundy jumping in the bear pit, he immediately regretted that decision.
The Play: AJ Taylor fumbles on the return, recovered by Wisconsin
Taylor was clearly just trying to make something happen. Nebraska was feeling good having just drawn level. He was eager to impress and provide a spark. Instead, he nearly put Wisconsin in a hole and enabled Nebraska to quickly reclaim the lead.
Taylor didn’t secure the ball in traffic and the ball took a big hop away from the pile. Wisconsin’s fifth-string RB Garrett Groshek alertly pounced and recovered the ball. A heads up play by Groshek to recognize the ball was out and be the first to react saving the possession.
The Result: Wisconsin keeps the ball and goes on a long scoring drive
Wisconsin was also penalized twice, one for holding, and after the play a mysterious unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Leon Jacobs. But the Badgers kept the ball.
They promptly dusted off a playbook that might have originated with the New Deal. Run. The. Ball. That got them out of jail or at least the shadow of its own goal post.