The Wisconsin Badgers are actually 2-0 on the season after a robust second half downed the Center Tennessee Blue Raiders 42-10 at Camp Randall Stadium.
The Blue Raiders deserve credit score for his or her impressed play within the first half of the sport. Regardless of being 28.5-point underdogs and coming off an embarrassing loss to FCS Austin Peay, Center Tennessee got here out aggressively on offense, primarily by means of the air, and held a 3-0 lead after the primary quarter, together with a 117-42 benefit in yards gained.
Wisconsin appeared to take management of the sport within the second quarter after scoring two touchdowns, which gave the Badgers a 14-3 lead. Nevertheless, an interception by MTSU’s Damonte Smith arrange Center Tennessee’s solely landing of the day. The Badgers had a slight 14-10 lead as audible boos rained down from Camp Randall Stadium.
The Badgers swung momentum again within the third quarter, as Jeff Grimes’ unit used large performs from Trech Kekahuna and Vinny Anthony II on end-arounds to make it 28-10. Because the Badgers’ protection managed the Center Tennessee offense, Danny O’Neil delivered two fourth-quarter landing passes to Jayden Ballard and Lance Mason, extending Wisconsin’s lead.
Whereas the Badgers dominated the second half, their first-half play drew the ire of head coach Luke Fickell. Wisconsin should have a cleaner first half as they tackle the No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa subsequent Saturday.
Listed here are three standouts from Wisconsin’s second win of the season.
The Badgers may need a playmaker at quarterback this 12 months.
O’Neil was stellar in his first profession begin. Regardless of having to corral excessive snaps all through the sport, the sophomore sign caller completed with an environment friendly 23-of-27 for 283 yards and three landing passes.
It was probably the most passing yards in a Wisconsin quarterback’s debut in program historical past. The one blemish on his efficiency was one interception that bounced off the arms of Dilin Jones.
Linebacker duo of Christian Allegrio and Tackett Curtis
I’m going to separate the second standout of the sport between Allegro and Curtis right here, as each linebackers completed with seven complete tackles every. Allegro set the tone within the second half with a large momentum-swinging fourth-down tackle-for-loss. The junior linebacker completed with a game-high six solo tackles.
Because the Badgers started to drag away from the Blue Raiders with a 28-10 lead, Center Tennessee introduced in freshman dual-threat quarterback Stanley Anderson-Lofton to spark the offense, however Curtis delivered a seven-yard sack to stall MTSU’s drive close to the tip of the third quarter.
Mason led all Badger go catchers with 102 receiving yards and had a catch of 10+ yards in 5 of Wisconsin’s six landing drives. The Missouri State switch received the Badgers’ offense rolling with a 34-yard reception into Center Tennessee’s crimson zone to arrange Wisconsin’s first landing.
Mason additionally caught a 14-yard go on Third-and-1, taking Wisconsin to Center Tennessee’s 1-yard line, organising Dilin Jones’ first profession dashing landing.
As Wisconsin pulled away from Center Tennessee within the second half, Mason caught his first landing go as a Badger, hauling in a 17-yard go to make the rating 42-10.
