Wisconsin Badgers vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Recap

Photo cred: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Welp the Green Bay Packers vs Minnesota Vikings Week 11 matchup was an absolute bust, so I have decided to switch gears and talk about the Wisconsin Badgers vs Nebraska Cornhuskers game that took place this past weekend at Camp Randall. What a game that turned out to be!

First let's start off with the fact that it was Senior Day, the final home game for 23 Badgers as they were getting set to finish their college careers. The Badgers were also on a hot streak as they had a six-game winning streak coming into last Saturday and were looking to win their last home game of the season.

Nebraska on the other hand has had a tough season to this point. They have only won three games overall and one game against a big ten opponent this season. Despite their record, they have managed to stay competitive in all their games, as the Huskers had not lost to any of their opponents by more than nine points. This game was set to be another good one.

As the game began, Nebraska won the toss, electing to defer to the second half, meaning that Wisconsin would receive the ball first. As the game started, Nebraska kicked off. The kick was relatively short as the ball took a bounce landing at the nine-yard line. Wisconsin’s kick returner, Stephan Bracey, fielded it, only needing to break off one defender, and he was off to the races! Just like that Wisconsin got a quick seven points on the board. The Badgers were off to a great start!

Side note- that is why you show up early to games people! Never know what is going to happen...

As the Badgers were set to kick off to Nebraska for the first time, the Huskers were pissed and looking for revenge. Nebraska quarterback, Adrian Martinez was ready to ball out. On their first drive, they stormed down the field. Martinez threw a long pass for 42 yards and the Huskers were already in the field goal position. He then followed that up by another 27-yard pass completion and the Huskers had first and goal at the eight-yard line. Just two plays later, the Huskers made it into the end zone with back-to-back runs by Nebraska Running Back, Markese Stepp. Instantly, it was 7-7.

A couple drives later for Wisconsin, it was time for Braelon Allen to emerge. Mertz handed the ball off to Allen for the first two plays of the drive as he gained nine yards. On third-and-one, however, Allen got the ball again and took it 71 yards to the house!! The Badgers took back the lead, going up 14-7! Also, let's not forget, Braelon Allen is ONLY 17 YEARS OLD!!

Moving on to the second quarter, Nebraska was looking to respond. They had great field position to start their drive thanks to a short punt and a 15-yard penalty on the Badgers. Martinez was in full control again. After three pass completions and two rushes by Martinez, Nebraska tied it up once again, with the score being 14-14.

Wisconsin got the ball back and after a few pass completions from Graham Mertz and a couple runs by Julius Davis the Badgers were in field goal position. Colin Larsh attempted a field goal from 33 yards out but missed wide left. The score would remain tied at 14 going into halftime.

Nebraska received the ball to start the second half, but just three plays later, Martinez airmailed the ball to the middle of the field, and Badgers Safety, Collin Wilder swooped in and took it back 40 yards. The Badgers were set in great field position for Mertz and Allen to take over. Just four plays later, Mertz connected with Badgers wide receiver, Kedric Pryor for a 17-yard touchdown. Badgers would go back on top 21-14!

On the next drive for the Huskers, Martinez let loose once again. After an 11-play drive and 75 yards later, Nebraska had found the end zone again, tying it up at 21. The Badgers offense would not let up either though. Mertz, Allen, and crew came storming back on eight plays and 75 yards later were back on top as Braelon Allen rushed for another touchdown making it 28-21, Wisconsin.

Fast forward to the fourth quarter, Badger fans were excited as they were back in the lead, and everyone got to Jump Around! If you haven’t noticed the trend by now, however, both the Badgers and Huskers kept going back and forth. Once Wisconsin scored, Nebraska was quick to respond. That is exactly what happened. Adrian Martinez and crew marched 68 yards down the field on seven plays to tie the game at 28.

The Badgers got the ball back once again and Braelon Allen had the Wisconsin off to a productive start to the drive. On the first three plays, he ran for 15 yards. Then Graham Mertz connected with Wisconsin Tight End, Jake Ferguson, for seven yards. On 2nd down and 6, Allen got the ball again. This time he ran for 53 yards taking it to the house. The Badgers were up 35-28.

I said it before, and I will say it again... BRAELON ALLEN IS ONLY 17 YEARS OLD!! That is seriously impressive for someone his age to be doing what he has been doing at the college football level.

Moving on, Nebraska had one last chance to tie it up, as there were just less than four minutes left in the game. Adrian Martinez was in command again as he drove the Huskers 44 yards down the field. It is also worth noting that Martinez avoided getting sacked all game. He’s a scrambler and was very aware of his surroundings. After a couple of penalties on both Wisconsin and Nebraska, the Huskers had the ball on the Wisconsin 21-yard line. It was 1st and 20 with 23 seconds left. Martinez had three straight incompletions, which led to one final chance for Nebraska. On 4th and 20, Martinez threw the ball toward the end zone in the left corner, but was knocked down by Wisconsin cornerback, Faion Hicks. The Badgers would then go into victory formation as they were victorious by the final score of 35-28!

The Freedom trophy belonged to the Badgers once again! So far this season, Wisconsin has won the Hartland trophy after beating Iowa, and now the Freedom trophy after the victory over Nebraska. Time to go for the trifecta next week and keep the Paul Bunyan Axe where it belongs!

BEAT MINNESOTA!!