First Quarter
Wisconsin leads 7-3 after one quarter of play.
Both teams had shaky starts, with Wisconsin's traditionally strong run game recording -15 rushing yards to open the contest. An early fumble by redshirt senior wide receiver Jared Abbrederis gave the ball to Northwestern deep in the Badgers' territory.
The Wildcats broke the game open with a field goal at the 9:46 mark after Wisconsin's three-play defensive stand on the three-yard line.
Wisconsin countered five minutes later with a 63-yard hail mary to—who else?—Abbrederis, putting the Badgers up 7-3.
Both teams have thrown interceptions, the first coming when freshman cornerback Sojourn Shelton made a leaping grab to snag a pass from Wildcat quarterback Kain Colter.
Northwestern safety Ibraheim Campbell caught the second interception on the right sideline after a pass intended for Abbrederis was tipped into double coverage.
Second Quarter
Wisconsin leads 21-6 after two quarters of play.
The second quarter opened up with bad news for the Badgers as Abbrederis sustained a head injury and could not return to the game.
Wisconsin responded to the adversity with a five-minute, 11-play drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from senior James White, giving the Badgers a 14-3 lead.
Redshirt sophomore Melvin Gordon broke the game open with 2:00 left in the quarter on a 71-yard touchdown run. He was tackled at the goal line, but the play stood up under official review.
Wisconsin kicker Kyle French shanked a 38-yard field goal attempt with four minutes left in the half, prompting a switch to Jack Russell for the remainder of the game.
Stave threw his second interception of the game to Northwestern safety Jimmy Hall at midfield with less than a minute left, allowing the Wildcats to score a field goal after a short drive.
Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter and running back Venric Mark went to the locker room in the first half with injuries, but both returned to the game after just a few minutes.
Third Quarter
Wisconsin leads 28-6 after three quarters of play
A 35-yard completion to redshirt freshman wide receiver Alex Erickson set the stage for a two-yard touchdown completion for redshirt senior wide receiver Jacob Pedersen, putting the score at 28-6 early in the third quarter.
From there, defense was the story line, as Wisconsin didn't allow a first down throughout, while the Badgers only recorded two themselves.
Venric Mark left the game for good in the third quarter with a lower-body injury.
Fourth Quarter
Redshirt sophomore fullback Derek Watt got in on the action to start the fourth quarter, scoring on a three-yard touchdown reception, giving Wisconsin a blowout 35-6 lead.
