No Joel Stave? No problem for the Wisconsin Badgers (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten), as Paul Chryst worked the Bart Houston to Alex Erickson combination to a 24-13 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini(4-3, 1-2 Big Ten).
That combination between inexperienced quarterback and veteran wide receiver surprisingly paid major dividends, with Erickson grabbing nine receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown. Head coach Paul Chryst also used the senior receiver to open up the defense with his running ability, putting up 81 yards on the ground en route to the victory.
No play may have been bigger than Erickson’s 56-yard jet sweep to help the Badgers answer back after Illinois took the 13-10 lead early in the third quarter.
#Badgers' A Erickson breaks off 56-yd run. Erickson with 69 yds rushing. Q3: ILL 13, WISC 10 LIVE STREAM: https://t.co/0YefyklsSw
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) October 24, 2015
The drive was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Alec Ingold as the Badgers took a 17-13 lead and never looked back in continuing to put pressure on the Big Ten West division leaders, Iowa.
Winning for the Wisconsin Badgers in 2015 has meant a combination of suffocating defense and a sturdy Joel Stave. That formula was halfway blown up early on Saturday afternoon, as Stave went down to an apparent concussion and that meant the inexperienced junior Bart Houston would be leaned on in a close contest.
Houston didn’t have much of a problem rising to the occasion though, coming up big in a few big moments and leading an overall efficient effort in the Badgers win. He finished the first half with 140 yards and one touchdown to one interception, en route to completing 22 of 33 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Wisconsin overcame a lot in this game, as not only did Stave go out injured, but so did starting center Dan Voltz and emerging wide receiver Rob Wheelwright, who went down on Erickson’s big 56-yard run in the third quarter.
Wheelwright did plenty of damage before going out with what was being called a right leg injury. He had three catches for 47 yards, with 21 of that coming on one of the best touchdowns of the season by the Badgers.
It didn’t come from Stave either, instead it was a daring, but well-timed throw by Houston which Wheelwright snagged and was able to contort himself enough to reach the pylon for the score.
Robert Wheelwright, this @BadgerFootball TD was a thing of beauty! Brought to you by @hotelsdotcom. https://t.co/cfFVcpSIhg
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) October 24, 2015
Wisconsin’s run game struggled without the key plays by Erickson, as starting running back Dare Ogunbowale put up just 42 yards on 16 carries. In fact, he was more effective as a pass catcher than a runner, nabbing five receptions for 63 yards on the day.
However, the Badgers managed to win the ground game over the Illini, rushing for 138 yards to the Illini 55 yards. UW also won the overall stat battle, racking up a 419 to 313 advantage in total yardage and 80 to 56 advantage in plays to go along with a 40:09 to 19:51 advantage in the time of possession.
Once again, the 11-point difference isn’t indicative of the overall effort put forth by the Badgers. Two interceptions in the end zone from Houston and a few stalled drives early in the third quarter took major opportunities for points off the board.
While most are going to focus on the story of Bart Houston and Alex Erickson, Wisconsin’s defense continued to show its domination as well.
UW gave up just one touchdown and are allowing just six touchdowns in the last seven contests overall.
Most importantly, the Badgers defense made Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt look average at best. He finished the game just 22 of 43 for 278 yards and no touchdowns to one interception.
Illinois run game was nearly non-existent as well without regular starter Josh Ferguson. Only a 36-yard scamper for a touchdown by Ke’Shawn Vaughn kept the Badgers from pitching a near shutout in the run game overall. Vaughn finished the game with all of the Illini’s 55 yards rushing, doing it on 13 carries as UW forced Lunt and the passing game try and beat them.
Even a great effort from star receiver Geronimo Allison (8 receptions, 99 yards) couldn’t get the Illini close enough to do any real damage to the Badgers.
Wisconsin moves out of Big Ten West division play for the first time since getting in to conference play, hosting Rutgers for the first time at Camp Randall Stadium next weekend. The game is set for 11a.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.
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