Aside from the return of the time-honored songs at Camp Randall, there was nothing to jump around for on the field, as the Badgers lost to the Runnin' Rebels of UNLV 23-5 on a soggy Saturday afternoon.
\They beat us in every phase,"" said Head Coach Barry Alvarez. ""They out-coached us, they outplayed us ... and it is hard to win a game if you don't score a touchdown.""
Wisconsin's highly charged offense, coming off a robust 48-point effort last week, was plagued by sloppy play throughout the game. Despite earning 150 more yards than UNLV, the offense never found its rhythm.
The only thing consistent about senior quarterback Jim Sorgi was his inconsistency. The quarterback overthrew his receivers eight different times over the course of the game. Sorgi finished the game with two interceptions as well, and when he was on target, it hardly seemed to matter.
During the final drive of the third quarter, Sorgi completed passes of 21 and 25 yards to wideouts junior Darrin Charles and sophomore Brandon Williams, respectively. However, he was also sacked three times on the same drive, resulting in a missed field goal attempt by senior Scott Campbell. This would prove to be a trend throughout the game as the Runnin' Rebels' defense sacked Sorgi eight times with various blitzing schemes. Wisconsin had expected this aggressive style of defense from UNLV but was unable to adjust as the game wore on.
""We knew when they were coming and when they were not coming,"" Williams said. ""It was just a matter of getting the ball off ...We were never really in rhythm.""
Undoubtedly, the biggest loss occurred early in the game, when running back Anthony Davis left the game with a left-ankle injury. Despite the loss of Davis, the Badgers still had sophomore Dwayne Smith and freshman Booker Stanley, who combined for 118 rushing yards. However, Smith fumbled twice, once on UNLV's five-yard line. Despite the poor performance, Smith seemed confident that Saturday was a one-time deal.
""I'm disappointed in myself,"" Smith said, ""I'm going ... to learn from my mistakes and make sure it doesn't happen again.""
Another factor in UW's anemic offense was UNLV defensive back Jamaal Brimmer, who had a game-high 11 tackles. He also picked off Sorgi twice, and returned a Smith fumble 55 yards for a score with four-and-a-half minutes to go in the first quarter. The fumble was Smith's second of the quarter, and one of five turnovers that the Badgers committed. Turnovers proved to be the demise of the Badgers, as the Runnin' Rebels scored 20 of their 23 points off of those turnovers.
""That's pretty much the game right there,"" said senior wideout Lee Evans.
On the other side of the ball, Wisconsin allowed only 197 total yards, even with Alvarez starting inexperienced freshman Joe Stellmacher and sophomore Levonne Rowan over senior Ryan Aiello and junior Scott Starks. Despite improved overall play by the secondary, two penalties deep in Wisconsin territory led to both Earvin Johnson touchdown receptions. Due to Wisconsin's five turnovers, the defense found itself playing with their backs against the wall all day. But the defense did not point fingers at anyone.
""It's all our fault,"" said senior linebacker Alex Lewis,"" We don't place the blame on anybody.""
Any time the defense seemed to make a key play, it seemed to be nullified by the offense. Junior defensive end Darius Jones forced a fumble deep in UNLV territory at the start of the 4th quarter. But the offense could not capitalize, as Sorgi could not complete it to Charles on 4th and goal. Lewis' blocked punt led to a safety in the second quarter could have resulted in a shift of momentum for the Badgers. But the following drive stalled in the red zone, resulting in only three points.
""[The safety] was real good, but the win would have been better,"" disappointed Lewis said.
With only five days of preparation for North Carolina, the team is confident that they will recover. According to Evans, while they will work on their mistakes this week, they cannot dwell on the loss.
""You can go one of two ways, up or down,"" Evans said, ""If you keep your mind right in the way you play ... then you'll be fine.\
