The Wisconsin Badgers dropped out of the top 25 in both National polls, following Saturday’s 20-14 loss to Northwestern in the Big Ten opener in Evanston, Ill.
Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1) was intercepted four times and missed several chances in the red zone in the loss.
Joel Stave took over for Tanner McEvoy at quarterback late in the first half. Neither one of them got adequate protection from the Badgers offensive line. McEvoy was hit as he threw his only interception and Stave’s arm was hit on the first of his three picks.
The receivers struggled to get open and make plays, but the quarterbacks certainly are not void from blame. Neither performed well enough and Stave had first and goal at the three in the second half. Instead of throwing the ball away when he couldn’t find an open receiver, he forced it and threw one of his three interceptions.
Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon rushed for a career high 259 yards, but that wasn’t enough to turn the fortunes of the Badgers on this day. Gordon became the 12th UW runner to break the 3,000-yard mark.
Stave finished 8 of 19 and tossed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kenzel Doe with 4-minutes and 14-seconds left in the first half. McEvoy was ineffective through four series, finishing 4 of 10 passing for 24 yards, which is why Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen made the quarterback switch. [Read more…]