The Wisconsin Badgers football team (5-6) lost to the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-5) at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday.
While the Badgers lead the overall series 13-5, the Cornhuskers claimed this year’s Freedom Trophy, marking the 10th edition of the Wisconsin-Nebraska historic rivalry.
The Badgers’ offense missed several first-down conversions in crucial moments of the game, eventually leading to numerous three-and-outs and forced punts. Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke threw a total of 292 yards with a 66.6% completion, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough to beat the Cornhuskers’ defense in the red zone.
Wisconsin’s running backs Darion Dupree and Tawee Walker totalled a combined 121 yards, only eight yards more than the Cornhuskers top rusher Emmett Johnson, who had 113 yards alone. Strong plays from Nebraska’s offensive line and linebackers allowed Johnson to move smoothly through the defensive line and further down the field to create easy rushing touchdowns for the other running backs on his team.
The second piece to Nebraska’s successful rushing game was running back Dante Dowell, who contributed to three rushing touchdowns. A complete rushing offense is something the Badgers have struggled to succeed in all season, and against Nebraska’s heavy defense furthered the points gap throughout the ball game.
The Badgers’ defense also lacked coordination throughout the game, allowing Raiola and his men to convert to a first down every time Nebraska was within 10 yards, regardless of which down they were currently in.
The loss to Nebraska marks the Badgers’ third away loss of the season and their fourth consecutive loss.
While the chances of earning a sixth win and earning a spot in a bowl game are low, there were a couple positive takeaways in Saturday’s game. Locke’s completed passes gained the Badgers crucial end zone points and first-down conversions. A better pass completion percentage could very well ensure victories in the upcoming game against the Minnesota Gophers and future seasons’ games.
These past two games against Oregon and Nebraska have proved Wisconsin’s offensive line has the ability to maintain the pocket much better than before and looks to be improving game by game. A clean pocket paired with more usage of passing plays may just be the Badgers’ way forward.
Wisconsin’s receivers put up all three of their touchdowns against Nebraska, including a two-point conversion. Locke has averaged 1.1 interceptions per game this season, at least one interception every game he’s played in as the Badgers’ quarterback, and seems to be the only barrier stopping Wisconsin from achieving their maximum offensive capabilities.
Wisconsin heads back home to Camp Randall on Friday to host the annual Paul Bunyan Axe game against border rival University of Minnesota in their final game of the college football season.
The defensive line and linebackers must help out in getting three-and-outs and forcing turnovers. This, in coordination with better passing plays and smarter rushes, is the key to take down the Minnesota Gophers and potentially become bowl-eligible with a 6-6 record in regular season play.
