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4 takeaways from the Wisconsin Badgers' 23-3 win over Northwestern

Posted on by Kennedy
4 takeaways from the Wisconsin Badgers' 23-3 win over Northwestern

(This story has been updated to correct Wisconsin's rushing stats)

EVANSTON, Ill. – The trifecta is complete.

The Wisconsin football team left USC in late September with a three-week stretch of play to build momentum before jumping into the core of its Big Ten schedule.

The Badgers have handled the first two stages of this run in impressive fashion. It was a similar story Saturday at Northwestern, as UW beat the Wildcats 23-3 in front of a sellout crowd at Martin Stadium.

The win increased Wisconsin's record to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten. Next up is No. 3 Penn State on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

MORE: Box Score | Badgers schedule | College Football Scores | Big Ten standings

Repetition: Game updates and highlights for Wisconsin-Northwestern

Senior running back Tawee Walker gained 126 yards on 23 carries, an average of 5.5 yards. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Braedyn Locke completed 14 of 24 passes for 160 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Overall, UW had a 359-209 yardage gain and didn't allow a touchdown for the second time in three games.

Senior linebacker Jaheim Thomas led the Badgers with seven tackles. John Pius had a crucial strip sack late in the first half and Sebastian Cheeks and Curt Neal combined for a safety in the third quarter.

Here are four takeaways from the game.

The running game works again

Even though it looked easy in Wisconsin last week, it's not easy to win on the road. That's why it's helpful to have a reliable running game to keep the chains moving when the passing game isn't firing on all cylinders.

That’s what UW accomplished against Northwestern.

Walker recorded his second straight 100-yard game and UW finished the game with 199 yards on 43 carries, a 4.6-yard average, helping it win.

The defense holds, saves the day earlier

For the first time since the first game of the season, UW didn't score in the first quarter. His defense ensured the team didn't have to pay for the start.

The unit made two crucial stops in the first half.

* After Locke threw an interception midway through the first quarter, the unit made sure Northwestern didn't gain any momentum from the turnover. UW forced a three-and-out and allowed just two yards before the Wildcats punted.

* The Wildcats started the first half on a possession in Wisconsin territory. They took over at the Badgers' 42, but couldn't get a first down. That drive ended with a 51-yard missed field goal by Luke Akers.

Northwestern gets greedy and pays for it

The Badgers took a 14-0 halftime lead and you have to question Northwestern's coaching decisions that led to UW's second touchdown.

Less than a minute before halftime, the Wildcats were down 7-0. After a false start penalty, they faced a 1st-and-15 situation from their 8th spot. With 47 seconds left, many coaches would have played it conservatively and run the ball to fill the clock. Instead, the Wildcats dropped back to pass and Pius came from behind to force Jack Lausch to fumble. Elijah Hills recovered the ball at the Wildcats 3.

On the next play, Cade Yacamelli took a pitch from Locke, who was taking the snap from down the middle, and found it in the end zone. It was a real turning point for UW, which also got the ball first in the second half.

Special teams did the work

Charlie Jarvis wasn't credited with a blocked punt, but it looked like he caught part of Akers' second punt, which went only 30 yards midway through the first quarter. UW was unable to convert this game into points.

However, the Badgers' special teams kept Northwestern off the scoreboard. With eight minutes left, Ben Barten was involved in Akers' 28-yard field goal attempt, denying the Wildcats a sure-fire goal that would have cut the Badgers' lead to 7-3.

And let's not forget Atticus Bertrams' 42-yard punt, which was blocked by Will Pauling on 1st down. It was this play that anchored Northwestern deep in its territory and set UW up for the rally at the end of the first half. It's worth noting that Badgers coach Luke Fickell opted for a conservative play leading up to the punt. UW faced a four-and-1 situation at the Northwestern 43 with 1:08 left in the half, but opted to punt instead of trying to get the first down.

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