Badgers Keep Freedom Trophy From Nebraska in OT Thriller

[Da-news-now]

When the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Wisconsin Badgers get together for the Freedom Trophy, one can expect the unexpected to happen.


Few expected overtime, and still fewer expected running back Dare Ogunbowale to be the hero of the night. Yet, the senior running back came up huge in the second half and overtime as the Badgers (6-2, 3-2 B1G) took down the previously undefeated Huskers 23-17.

Ogunbowale racked up 120 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries. His lone touchdown of the night was the difference maker, cashing in from 11 yards out in overtime.

Andrew Endicott, who missed a 44-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, also missed the extra point on Ogunbowale’s touchdown allowing a huge sliver of hope to the Huskers in overtime.

However, D’Cota Dixon and the secondary came up big in overtime like it did most of the night. He was on point as Tommy Armstrong heaved up a last-ditch effort for a touchdown in overtime and broke the pass up.

It was timely, but the defensive backfield frustrated Armstrong most of the night — racking up 10 pass break ups in the total. They also picked off Armstrong twice and held him to just 12 of 31 for 153 yards and the pair of interceptions. He also had just 39 yards on the ground, averaging just 3 yards per carry.

Nebraska was also held to just 305 yards of total offense on the night.

Wisconsin’s offensive effort wasn’t much better though, as Alex Hornibrook struggled to get the offense moving when needed and head coach Paul Chryst turned to Bart Houston for key series in the first and second half.

In fact, following a bad interception to Nate Gerry in the fourth quarter, Hornibrook didn’t see the field again. That happened despite Hornibrook tossing the lone touchdown of the night, a 9-yard strike to Robert Wheelwright to move the UW lead to 17-7 in the third quarter.

Houston led the Badgers the rest of the way and didn’t fare much better, throwing an equally horrific interception of his own late in the game and going 4 of 7 for just 43 yards and the interception.

The two interceptions never really hurt the Badgers, as Nebraska got just three points off the two turnovers.

Wisconsin’s victory marked the third over a team ranked in the AP top 10 at the time of the game, setting a school record. It also meant bowl eligibility for the Badgers, extending their streak to 15 straight seasons.

That streak is also the longest active streak in the Big Ten.

Now comes the extremely hard part for the Badgers, a trip to Evanston to face the Northwestern Wildcats and the hope of another Nebraska loss to take control of the Big Ten West division race in the final month of the season.

The Badgers will take on Northwestern at 11a.m. CT, with the game’s television network still up in the air.

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[TW]

The Badgers season will be made, or broken, by what happens next Saturday in Evanston. A win, against the Wildcats, and a loss by Nebraska, to OSU (which most people believe is going to happen), and the Badgers can win out, and capture the West. A rematch could happen between the Badgers and OSU, or Michigan. It could also be against Penn State, that has come out of nowhere, to be in the mix. But, it's all up to the Badgers from here on in. But, that's all futures. What about now? What about next Saturday?

The fact is the Badgers have one of the best defenses in the nation. You can point out any defense you want to compare, but how many do you know that can bail out an offense as often as the Badgers defense has for Wisconsin this year? It's amazing, watching how they continuously take the field believing they can stop anyone, and have, on a fairly consistent basis. On the other hand, the offense has problems. Big problems.

We don't have a passing game because we don't have quality receivers, and a QB who can throw the ball with consistency. It may come in the next year or so, with Hornibrook, but not this year. We need to live with the shortcomings he shows and those of Houston. That said, neither is really a bad QB. They just make bad judgment calls at times. When it comes to our running game, I'm puzzled. I see Dare actually outplaying Clements, but I have a hunch it has more to do with injuries than talent. I've seen Clements play, and he's one of the better backs in the nation. Dare is a special player who has done so much to improve, and provided so much that we needed. He's been a valuable asset. Shaw is on his way up. I think the only thing holding him back is a lack of understanding of the total offense. When he gets the hang of it, he's going to be a steady influence in the backfield, and another RB on his way to 1,000 yards per season.

How do we match up with Northwestern next weekend? I'd say it's similar to how we matched up with Nebraska, and Iowa. They are a solid program capable of beating anyone in the Big 10 on any given day, if they play their best game, and get a few breaks. They're a serious threat to the Badgers moving forward to the championship game.

To win, the Badgers need to use a pressure defense. They should be able to get into the Northwestern backfield, and disrupt timing. That done, turn up the heat on the receivers, and the 'Cats won't be able to move the ball enough to win. On offense, the Badgers need to play mistake free, and take advantage of their offensive line that can move bodies, and make running lanes. It's going to be a tough game, but we can win it. It's not going to be a blow out though. Fitzgerald is too good of a coach to allow his team to be destroyed, and will capitalize on any mistakes the Badgers make.

 

[Nutbush]

Only thing you left out TW is their kicking game which has a lot to be desired. But that defense is truly tough as nails and the next man up just as good as the one that went down is unbelievable.