Saturdays in the city of Madison mean a sea of red taking over downtown streets and eager fans filling up bars as they pre-game to upbeat tunes. Most of all, it means that the city is overwhelmed by an overall electric atmosphere that makes it impossible to not cheer on for the Badgers by game time. However, some fall Saturdays top the rest. From the moment I opened my curtains and saw the first snowflakes floating down, I knew this past Saturday would be one of them. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things that made Michigan’s 2017 trip to Camp Randall one for the ages:
1. Salute to the Seniors
The last home game of the season marked not only the end of Camp Randall’s 100th-year celebrations but also the final time the senior class would take the field. Before the game, 13 players were honored for their dedication to the team over their years at UW. They were given a bouquet of roses and were individually sent to take the field, where they were greeted by family members. The emotions and pride on each senior’s face filled the jumbotron, and it made the whole stadium understand that beating Michigan that day would mean something much more than just another win.
2. Back and Forth Battle
Leading up to the game, many analysts were divided in their forecasts on which team would come out on top. The reason for this became clear as the game unfolded: the momentum seemed to change hands over much of the first three quarters. Although the Wolverines started out with the ball, the Badgers made the first statement halfway through the first quarter when Garrett Dooley sacked Michigan’s quarterback for a big stop on third down. However, Michigan was able to remain hopeful in the second quarter when the Badgers were unable to convert on third down with just under six minutes to go until the half. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook threw what appeared to be a completed pass to freshman wide receiver Danny Davis. However, the referees reviewed the play and ruled it incomplete because it hit the ground first. Michigan used this missed opportunity to score its first points of the day. A Hornibrook sack set the Badgers off to a rough second half start, but they found their rhythm when the defense was able to hold Michigan to a field goal following a short punt that gave the Wolverines an advantageous field position. The rest of the game stayed in favor of Wisconsin and led to a 24-10 win.
3. Stars of the Game
There were some key players on both sides of the ball that helped lift the Badgers to their 11th win of the season.
On Defense:
Cornerback Nick Nelson stole the spotlight during this game; he was able to instinctively read the Michigan offense. His first big moment came at the end of the first quarter when he was in the backfield as punt returner. The punt was short, and Nelson turned it into a 50-yard touchdown run. This gave the Badgers their first points of the day, and was also the first punt return taken in for a touchdown by a Badger since 2012. Nelson received the honor of Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. Nelson also provided stellar coverage throughout the game, including a second-quarter read in the end-zone that prevented a touchdown catch. Michigan held its opponents to under 14 points in all but one game this season, and the Badgers ranked second in the country for total defense; many expected this game’s outcome to be based on the defensive performance of each team. Nelson was a big reason why Wisconsin was able to come out on top.
On Offense:
The final five minutes of the third quarter is best explained by the tale of “two Taylors, two touchdowns.” The first touchdown drive was owned by sophomore wide receiver AJ Taylor. On the first down, Hornibrook threw a pass downfield to Taylor, who was being held by a Michigan defenseman. The referees ruled pass interference on the play, which gave the Badgers a 15-yard boost up the field. On the following down, Hornibrook again launched the ball to Taylor; this time, Taylor caught the ball at the 18-yard line, which put the Badgers in touchdown range. The final play of the drive consisted of a touchdown pass from Hornibrook to Taylor.
When the ball returned the Wisconsin’s possession just before the end of the third quarter, freshman running back Jonathan Taylor was there to assist the other Badger on a touchdown. Jonathan Taylor rushed for a total of 132 yards on 19 carries and was later honored as Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the seventh time this season. The 14 point boost from the Taylor duo gave Wisconsin the sizable lead they needed heading into the fourth quarter.
Although the football team is the reason we celebrate game days, there are other components to the game that are just as important to recognize: the fans, the spirit squad, the band and the many Camp Randall traditions. Unfortunately, the 2017 home games have come to an end, but as the Badger Band so wisely says, “it isn’t a goodbye, but a see you next season.”
Catch the Badger football team in action Saturday, Nov. 25 at 2:30 p.m., when they will play the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Oh, and don’t forget that the Badgers will be taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Big Ten Championship game on Dec. 2 in Indianapolis — be sure you buy your tickets early!