Wisconsin Football: Badgers dominate Scarlet Knights 42-7

The Wisconsin Badgers got off to a fast start on their first drive of the game thanks to some great throws from Braedyn Locke to Will Pauling and Vinny Anthony II. Pauling beat Rutgers defensive back Shaquan Loyal on for a 16-yard slot fade touchdown. It appeared that Locke carried over his second-half performance against Purdue, but then he threw an ill-advised deep pass to Anthony II that Shaquan Loyal intercepted. 

After the Badgers defense forced a three-and-out and a poor punt, Wisconsin used tempo on offense to keep the Rutgers defense off balance and make late substitutions. Tawee Walker jumpstarted the Badgers drive with an 18-yard carry. Locke hit Tucker Ashcraft on a quick 18-yard pass to get Wisconsin into the red zone. The Scarlet Knights defense forced a fourth-and-one on their two-yard line, but Walker powered into the end zone for the second Badgers touchdown.

Despite the ugly interception, the Badgers outgained the Scarlet Knights 154-35 and held Rutgers to one first down in the first quarter. Wisconsin forced another three-and-out deep in Rutgers territory and started their first drive of the second quarter on their 48-yard line. Unfortunately, the drive stalled, and Nathaniel Vakos missed a 35-yard field goal.

The momentum appeared to shift there.

Rutgers got their second first down off the game on an Athan Kaliakmanis keeper on third down and then connected on a deep pass to Christian Dremel for 36 yards to the Wisconsin 30. Wisconsin's defense rose to the occasion, as Monangai was stuffed for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the 10-yard line.

The Scarlet Knights got momentum at the end of the half after Will Pauling fumbled after absorbing a big hit at the Badgers 34-yard line. Rutgers drove into the Badgers red zone but settled for a field goal attempt. A low snap caused the Scarlet Knights to abort the attempt, and the Badgers kept Rutgers off the scoreboard.

Starting at their 11-yard line, Tawee Walker sprung loose for 33 yards to get the offense rolling again. Locke once again found Vinny Anthony II for a deep pass, this time for 47-yards to the Rutgers two-yard line. Darrion Dupree got his first career Wisconsin touchdown from two yards out on the first Badger drive of the second half to make it 21-0.

Preston Zachman recorded his second interception on a deflected pass, and the route was on. Offensive coordinator Phil Longo called six consecutive run plays for Dupree and Locke, culminating in Tawee Walker's second touchdown.

Rutgers got on the board early in the fourth quarter, as Monangai rushed in from 13 yards out, but it was too little, too late for the Scarlet Knights. Wisconsin added two more rushing touchdowns from Walker and Braedyn Locke to win 42-7.

We wrote last Thursday that one of the keys for Wisconsin to come away with a win was a stout run defense against Kyle Monangai. Mike Tressel's unit succeeded in this task, as Monangai finished the game with a mere 3.8 yards per attempt.