Back in Camp Randall Stadium against a winless Nebraska team (0-3 Big Ten, 0-5 overall), the Badgers (2-0 Big Ten, 4-1 overall) continued their momentum with a dominant 41-24 win.
As we’ve become accustomed to, sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor was once again the best player on the field as the Badgers worked him and the offensive line to a win. The Badgers got back to their run-heavy offense after getting a little more pass-happy against Iowa the game before.
Up against a far-from-stellar rushing defense in Nebraska, Wisconsin was able to get back to their bread and butter rushing attack led by their workhorse Taylor. The stud running back came back to form following a tough outing against Iowa’s stout defense where he played poorly against his lofty standards.
Taylor found success against the Nebraska rushing defense a year ago, with a career performance up until that point, gashing Huskers for a 249-yard performance topped off with two touchdowns. Taylor followed that performance this past saturday with his fourth-best rushing performance to date with 221 yards and three scores.
The Wisconsin offense was back to the typical game plan, in which their rushing attack far outnumbered their yardage through the air. UW ran the ball twice as much as they passed it, and Taylor consistently found holes and bullied the Nebraska defenders to pace the Wisconsin offense and keep the chains moving.
Taylor’s tough running style wore down the Nebraska defense, leading to an incredible 9.2 YPC. The consistent quality runs from Taylor led the Badger offense to 20 of their first 27 points on the board as he was instrumental in the two drives resulting in field goals and had an easy 21-yard scamper to open the second half.
The superstar tailback capped off his night with a dagger of a touchdown going the distance from their own 12-yard line for the longest score of his career. Taylor will look to continue his dominance, but will have a much tougher test as the Badgers go on the road to Ann Arbor and face a top Michigan defense.
