As the Badgers jogged off the field after Saturday's game, there was a sense among the fans they had witnessed something special in the first of the last two home games for Wisconsin.
Bowing down before senior receiver Lee Evans, they could be heard booming \Leeeeee"" throughout Camp Randall and long after as the team made its way into the tunnel, slapping hands of the fans as they made their way to the locker room. For the fans that braved the cold and remained loyal through a three-game losing streak, the game against Michigan State was a well deserved reward not only for them, but for Evans himself who suffered through two surgeries following a knee surgery two years ago.
Saturday was a day of broken records and a rare display of equal defensive and offensive prowess as Wisconsin shut down the Spartans in definitive fashion, 56-21, improving its record to 4-3 in the Big Ten, 7-4 overall.
The Badgers came out early, scoring on their opening drive with a nine-yard pass from senior quarterback Jim Sorgi to Evans in the end zone providing Wisconsin with an early lead, strong momentum and a confidence-builder.
But Evans was far from done, and along with Dwayne Smith and the continued accuracy of Sorgi, the Badgers had all the offensive power they needed.
The question still remained, though, whether the defense could do its job. Five sacks on the Spartans' senior quarterback Jeff Smoker and six defensive backs with five or more tackles provided the defensive balance that was lacking last weekend against Minnesota. Junior defensive back Jim Leonhard led with eight tackles, but senior linebacker Alex Lewis and junior defensive lineman Anttaj Hawthorne added their own pressure on Smoker with three sacks for a total loss of 26 yards and three quarterback hurries. The Badgers went with a different defensive scheme prepared for a fast MSU offensive line.
""We needed speed on the field,"" said defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. ""Our linebackers run pretty good, and we try to get our best athletes on the field.""
Sorgi completed a pass on 3rd and 10 to Evans, for Sorgi's second touchdown pass of the game as Evans leaped above two defenders and caught the ball. It was then off to the races for Evans, who completed the 75-yard score.
Overshadowed somewhat by Evans' five touchdowns were Smith's three. However, there was little doubt the performances of Sorgi and Evans were the story of the game. Sorgi went 16 for 24 with 380 yards and no interceptions, breaking the Wisconsin record for pass efficiency rating and tying the Wisconsin record for touchdown passes in a game.
Sorgi was modest regarding his performance but admitted that he and Evans have a strong connection on the field.
""It doesn't matter what I do out there, as long as we win the football game,"" Sorgi said.
""There's been that chemistry since we got here. Me and Lee just always connected, The plays he make [are] sometimes immortal.""
Evans broke records all across the board, putting on a show students have been waiting for. His five touchdowns broke the school record for touchdown receptions in a game, in a season and in a career.
""It's definitely an honor to be up there among the elites in school history,"" Evans said. ""Even after I leave here, to have your name around, that aura, that feeling. It's definitely special. And the group of guys I'm with, it's a tremendous feeling to share it with all of them.""
The accolades continued in the game for the Badgers. Leonhard's interception in the first quarter marked his 17th of his career. And for the second time this season (also the second time ever in Big Ten history), the Badgers had a 200-yard receiver in Evans and a 200-yard rusher in Smith.
It was an overall solid day for the Badgers, who provided a performance many Wisconsin football fans have been waiting all season to see. UW out-rushed MSU 245-to-95 and out-passed the Spartans 385-to-215, a credit to both the offensive and defensive lines who didn't allow an MSU touchdown until the end of the second quarter.
Already bowl eligible, the Badgers are now playing for position and will head into a tough match-up against Iowa at home to end the season and a last chance to see Evans in cardinal red and white.
""I had a lot of fun out there,"" Evans said. ""It is the best game I've played here. It's a big win for our team and the program.""
