With the Freedom Trophy, a bowl berth, a ten-game win streak against Nebraska, and most of all, pride on the line, Wisconsin fell flat against the Cornhuskers. From offense to defense to special teams, the team just made too many mistakes to win. Now they'll have one more chance against Minnesota to try and salvage the season.
Wide receiver Vinny Anthony was one of the few bright spots in the game, going for 137 yards on seven catches and a touchdown. With Will Pauling out due to injury, Anthony put the offense on his back. Unfortunately though, the defense didn't show up in this one.
After allowing just 16 points to No.1 Oregon, the Badger defense was torched to the tune of 44 points and 473 yards by Nebraska. The Cornhuskers scored on their final six drives, sans the last kneel down, and had their way all day against a Badger defense that didn't register a sack or a tackle for loss.
The Badger offense was solid, even with two turnovers, but kicker Nathanial Vakos had a bad day too, missing two short kicks. It's been the same thing all year where one unit produces and another falls short. Wisconsin has yet to really put together a complete game with all three phases playing well.
One of the Badger turnovers was a Tawee Walker right before half, where Luke Fickell probably should have just kneeled it. It was a poor decision and will be very interesting to hear his reasoning for the odd and ill-advised play. It certainly didn't do anything to quiet the 'Fire Fickell' crowd.
Quarterback Braedyn Locke had his weekly interception, although it came essentially in garbage time. Still, it marks his ninth straight game with a pick and he now has 10 on the season. He'll more than likely start the final game, however, as Fickell doesn't seem open to a quarterback change.
Overall, the game can't really be described as anything but embarrassing. The Badgers will now have one game left to try and become bowl eligible, although even with a win, a 6-6 season isn't exactly anything to write home about.