Road to Week 1: Simulating the Badgers 2024 Bowl Game in CFB 25

Reliaquest Bowl: Wisconsin (8-4) vs LSU (6-6)

The Badger offense struggled early, going nowhere outside of a 17-yard pass to Riley Nowakowski on the first drive before a 3rd and 7 strip sack gave the Tigers the ball on the edge of the redzone. Wisconsin's defense stood strong and held LSU to a field goal, but a quick 3 and out by Tyler Van Dyke and Co. gave the ball right back to Garrett Nussmeier and the Tigers.

A 14-yard punt return allowed LSU's drive to start in Wisconsin territory, and they capitalized on the advantageous field position. A pair of 13-yard completions from Nussmeier to CJ Daniels pushed LSU deep into the red zone before Nussmeier punched it in himself with a two-yard run.

Trailing 10-0, Wisconsin still couldn't muster up anything, going 3 and out on two more possession to end the first quarter. While LSU also wouldn't score in the final minutes of the first, they were quick to make noise in the second period. A 28-yard pass from Nussmeier to Chris Hilton Jr. on 3rd and 10 followed by a 30-yard Kaleb Jackson run gave the Tigers 1st and Goal from the 1, where Nussmeier would find paydirt on a QB sneak.

LSU continued to dominate on both sides, forcing another 3 and out and putting a 51-yard field goal through the uprights to make it 20-0 in favor of the Tigers.

Finally, Wisconsin woke up, as Chez Mellusi ripped off runs of 27 and 26 yards on back-to-back plays. After a negative run and a dropped pass, Wisconsin faced 3rd and 13 from the LSU 25. Van Dyke found Will Pauling running free on a crosser and hit him in stride, but Pauling was pushed out at the one yard line. It would be Nate White who punched in Wisconsin's first score making it a 13-point game moving into halftime.

Although the Badgers built up some momentum late in the first half, LSU delivered a gut-wrenching blow to start the third quarter, stringing together a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. To add to it, the Tigers attempted and converted the two-point attempt to make it a 28-7 game.

Wisconsin had no answer, going 3 and out before yielding another field goal. The Badgers wouldn't score in the third quarter, entering the final frame behind 31-7.

While Van Dyke accounted for a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth, a comeback was never truly in the cards, and Wisconsin ultimately fell by multiple scores

Van Dyke finished the game 14-for-35 with 233 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while Chez Mellusi racked up 55 yards on six carries. Bryson Green led the Badger pass catchers with 81 yards on four receptions.

Final: LSU 34, Wisconsin 20

End of Season Stat Leaders

Passing - Van Dyke: 178/294 (60%) for 2,354 yards and 20/5 TD:INT

Rushing - Mellusi: 226 rushes for 1,025 yards (4.4 ypc) and 5 TD

Receiving - Anthony: 50 receptions for 725 yards and 8 TD

Tackles - Thomas: 114

Sacks - Pius: 10.0

Interceptions - Delancy: 5