Wisconsin Badgers vs Michigan State Spartans Post Game

The Wisconsin Badgers kicked off their Big Ten schedule with a bang with a very strong win over the Spartans of Michigan State on Saturday. The Badgers, coming in on a record of 3-0 during their non conference schedule, had a lot to prove coming into this 2009 campaign after a terrible 3-5 Big Ten record last season. The Badgers showed little fear while battling the Spartans, however they did not run the ball as well as Wisconsin fans are used to. The biggest X-factor coming into this game for Wisconsin was going to be the quarterback play of Scott Tolzien. Badgers have had very bad luck with the passers in the past decade and Tolzien is a breath of fresh air to rejuvenate this franchise.

The first quarter was a fairly quiet scoring quarter for both teams. Only the Badgers Garrett Graham was able to hook up with quarterback Scott Tolzien for a 15 yard touchdown pass which gave the Badgers a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and remained that way going into the second quarter.

Michigan State finally got on the board early in the second quarter at the 13:06 mark when Kirk Cousins connected with Mark Dell for a 14 yard touchdown pass to square the two teams at 7. The next possession, and about four minutes deeper into the quarter, the Badgers were able to respond with another Tolzien touchdown pass, once again to tight end Garrett Graham. This touchdown pass was only a 6 yard completion, but Wisconsin was able to regain the lead none the less, 14-7. On the Badgers next, and last possession of the first half, they were able to find the end zone again, this time on the ground with tail back John Clay from one yard out to give the Badgers a 21-7 lead going into halftime.

Coming out of the half, Michigan State was able to tack on a field goal four minutes into the third quarter by kicker Brett Swenson from 28 yards out to make the score 21-10. The Badgers answered back later in the third quarter with a field goal of their own from kicker Philip Welch from 41 yards out to raise their lead back to 14 points with a score of 24-10. Just before the end of the third quarter, Michigan State brought the lead down to one possession after a 20 yard touchdown pass from Cousins to B.J. Cunningham to make the score at the end of the third quarter 24-17.

The start of the fourth quarter began with a bang as the Badgers scored on the first play from scrimmage in the fourth quarter when Scott Tolzien hooked up with wide receiver Nick Toon for 19 yards to extend the Badgers lead back to 14 with a 31-17 score. The next Wisconsin possession, the Badgers were able to score again by means of the passing game with the third connection between Scott Tolzien and Garrett Graham for a touchdown from 23 yards out to give the Badgers a very comfortable 38-17 lead. Michigan State, with time running out in the game, would drive down the field and score on a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Keith Nichol, who replaced Kirk Cousins, to wide receiver Keshawn Martin from 15 yards out to reduce the Badgers lead to 38-23 after MSU failed on a two-point conversion. After a Wisconsin 3 and out and punt, the Badgers defense seemingly fell asleep on the first MSU play as a prayer bomb from Keith Nichol to receiver Keshawn Martin again, this time for 91 yards, tightened the lead to 38-30. After a failed MSU onside kick, the Badgers took a knee and took the rest of the time off the clock to give the Badgers their fourth win of the season.

The Badgers, lead by quarterback Scott Tolzien’s career high 4 touchdown passes to go along with 243 passing yards, led the Badgers past the MSU Spartans. John Clay had a very respectable day on the ground as he held the rock 32 times for 142 yards and the 1 yard touchdown run. Tight end Garrett Graham also had a great day in the office as he had 5 catches for 58 yards and 3 Badger touchdowns. Issac Anderson led the team in receiving yards however catching 3 balls for 66 yards with one big 45 yard catch.

Wisconsin will have their first away game of the year as they entertain the Golden Gophers of Minnesota University as they open brand new TCF Bank Stadium. The Golden Gophers come into this game with a 3-1 record and are sure to give the Badgers a strong challenge for their first contest away from Camp Randall Field.

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