If there was ever any doubt as to the importance of senior running back Anthony Davis to the Badger offense, those doubts were silenced Saturday as Davis single-handedly ran all over the Illinois defense in a 24-7 victory, tallying more yards than the entire Illini offense. He provided all the offensive power during another game in which the Badgers struggled to supplement the continued dominance of the UW defense.
In Davis' first game since being sidelined by an orbital fracture during the first game of the season against University of Central Florida, he proved to be anything but rusty, running for 213 yards on 27 carries and led the receiving crew with three catches for 37 yards.
\I thought the first time he carried the ball, 'he's faster, he's at a different speed than anyone else on the field',"" Head Coach Barry Alvarez said.
It was the offensive highlight the Badgers needed after struggling to find a consistent go-to guy. It was also a needed boost with the absence of sophomore back Booker Stanley, who was sidelined at the end of last weekend's game against Penn State with turf toe, and freshman Jamil Walker, sidelined in the same game with a shoulder injury.
""Seeing A.D. out there was a beautiful thing; he gave our offense a spark that we really need,"" junior linebacker Reggie Cribbs said. ""Seeing him run the ball again was a beautiful thing, something great, something special.""
Sophomore quarterback John Stocco, who had another uneven performance, completing only nine of 20 passes, acknowledged the lift Davis provided.
""He's an explosive guy, so that helps us a lot, but at the same time, we've had a lot of guys step up. Book stepped up. Bernie stepped up,"" Stocco said. ""He's important, but at the same time, a lot of guys stepped up for us.""
Junior fullback Matt Bernstein's strong performance from last week proved not to be a fluke as he added the power behind Davis' speed, adding a hard-fought 37 yards on 13 carries to supplement Davis' work.
""Bernie's a load to tackle,"" Davis said. ""I see it. When those guys hit him, they get tired ... then I come along and it makes them a step slower.""
Seeing No. 28 back on the field provided a highlight for the record-crowd that waited until the second quarter to see either team put points on the board. In the first of Davis' three rushing touchdowns, he provided 50 of the drive's 73 yards. Senior kicker Mike Allen added a 48-yard field goal to put the Badgers up 10-0 heading into the half.
The Badger defense had another solid game, with the Illini defensive line forced to double-team senior defensive lineman Erasmus James in wake of his performance against Penn State. And the touted Illini running game was forced to minimize its time on the ground to the same amount of carries as Davis. Junior linebacker Dontez Sanders led the Badgers in tackles with 13, including 2.5 for loss and two sacks for a total loss of 12 yards. James had three quarterback hurries.
""They were a pretty good offense, but we just wanted it more,"" James said about a team that all week Alvarez had been saying was the best offense the Badgers had seen.
Sixth-year senior Illini quarterback Jon Beutjer struggled to find his rhythm, and was benched for backup Chris Pazan and third string QB Brad Bower, who put the ball into the end zone for the only Illini touchdown.
With the Badger defense close to achieving a shutout, the fourth quarter began with the Badgers on their own 38-yard line. Stocco was sacked for a four-yard loss when the ball came loose. The Illini recovered the ball in Badger territory and easily put the ball into the end zone, making the score an uncomfortable 17-7.
The next drive, Davis proved why he has been missed the last three weeks. With the Badgers trying to convert on fourth down and three, Davis rushed for 31 yards and the touchdown.
It was his third-and most memorable--touchdown of the day. As an homage to the student section, Davis stood in front of section 'O' raising his arms-quickly drawing a 15-yard penalty.
But was it worth it?
""I don't know. I'll find out tomorrow,"" Davis laughed.
Alvarez grinned. ""We're going to have a discussion.""
The Badgers now improve to 5-0 (2-0 in Big Ten play), and they know the last time a UW team started the Big Ten season so well, they played in Pasadena in January. But for now, the team and Alvarez are remaining focused on finishing every weekend 1-0, beginning with a critical two-game road trip to Ohio State and Purdue.
UW heads to Columbus this weekend to take on an Ohio State team that was upset 33-27 Saturday night against Northwestern.
""I just know it'll be the biggest game this year, so far,"" senior safety Jim Leonhard said. ""They're a great team-they always have been and they always will be. It'll be a great challenge.""
