Wisconsin vs. Nebraska: The final grade out
Nebraska clinched bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016 as the Huskers beat Wisconsin for the first time since 2012. It was NU’s second win against the Badgers since joining the Big Ten in 2011. Before Saturday, the Badgers held a commanding 11-1 in the series.
Here are the final grades and takes following Nebraska’s 44-25 win over Wisconsin.
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Rushing offense: A
Nebraska ran for 180 rushing yards, including 113 yards on 16 carries from running back Emmett Johnson. It’s the first time a Husker back has gone for over 100 yards this season. Dante Dowdell also proved to be a good red zone threat, finishing with three rushing touchdowns, giving him 12 on the season. A week ago, No. 1 ranked Oregon ran for just 136 yards rushing on this same Badger defense.
NU had 97 yards rushing on 21 first down runs. There are six runs of 10+ yards on the game.
Passing offense: A
QB Dylan Raiola arguably played his most complete game as a Husker. Raiola was 28-of-38 for 293 yards and a touchdown. He had eight passing plays of 15+ yards. Raiola was 16-of-18 for 178 yards on first down passes.
Rushing defense: B
Wisconsin averaged just 3.4 yards per carry on 14 first down running plays. The Huskers also one on multiple different short-yardage run plays. The Badgers had just two runs of 10+ yards in the game. NU held Tawee Walker to only 55 yards on 14 carries.
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Passing defense: C
The Badgers found some big plays in the passing game, including a 58-yard touchdown to Vinny Anthony II where he beat Blye Hill in one-on-one coverage. Braedyn Locke was 20-of-30 for 292 yards and three touchdowns. However, the Blackshirts closed the game with a big interception late in the fourth quarter by safety DeShon Singleton.
Special teams: A
Nebraska played a near-perfect special teams game from start to finish. Jacory Barney had Nebraska’s most meaningful kickoff return in several years, opening the game with a 45-yard play. The kickoff coverage was solid, and Brian Buchini had a 49-yard punt he pinned to the 3-yard line. John Hohl was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals.
Sean Callahan can be reached at [email protected] and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.
