Badger of Honor
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Wisconsin Football: 10 best Badgers games since 2010

By Tanner Nestle

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst and Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after winning the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst and Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after winning the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 30: The Wisconsin Badgers celebrate with a trophy after a game against the USC Trojans at the National University Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium on December 30, 2015 in San Diego, California. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the USC Trojans 23-21, (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

5. December 30th, 2015 vs #25 USC in the Holiday Bowl

Paul Chryst wins his first bowl game as head coach

Wisconsin actually held the lead for most of this game. USC was a formidable opponent, but was definitely having one of its more down season in recent history. The Trojans had fired Steve Sarkisian in the middle of the season and were hoping Clay Helton could be their savior, much how Paul Chryst has been for the Badgers.

Wisconsin’s defense was the biggest reason for this win. It held USC to less than 300 yards of total offense and was in the backfield all day. We can’t forget about Jack Cichy’s sack hatrick either. What could have been a huge drive for USC was cut short when Cichy blitzed up the middle on three-straight plays getting to Cody Kessler each time. Cichy also had a pressure on Kessler that forced an interception late in the fourth quarter that essentially sealed the win. Rafael Gaglianone made a clutch field goal to put Wisconsin back on top in the final minutes and it was all the defense needed.

Final score: Wisconsin 23, USC 21

In Paul Chryst’s first season there were some ups and downs. Two one-possession losses to Iowa and Northwestern could have significantly changed the fortunes of the season. The Badgers still made a good bowl and got a shot at a big-time program. Regardless of the state of USC at the time, Wisconsin was looking for hope of its own.

Chryst was the perfect hire. He was the hometown hero coming back to his dream job. Wining his first bowl game made everything seem right again. Add in the theatrics from this one and it’s an instant classic.

When we look back on the Chryst era in Wisconsin history we can confidently start here. Nobody will question why this program is in the shape it’s in when this year, capped off by this win, was the starting point.