On October 16, 1971 Wisconsin welcomed Michigan State to Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers were looking for their first win in seven matchups with the Spartans. The game was tied four times before kicker/offensive guard Roger Jaeger hit a 31-yard field goal to give the Badgers the lead with 5:12 left to play. The Spartens worked their way into the Badger red zone but were shut down when safety Ron Buss made his second interception of the day to secure the win for Wisconsin. For the first time in a decade the Badgers defeated Michigan State, 31-28.
Wisconsin Radio Network sports Director Bill Scott spoke with Buss about his game winning play. Buss recalled, “You know it was a pretty exciting game…They had a little running back; he was pretty much running wild on us, but on that final play they decided they needed to pass. Rick got a hand on it and I dove for it and that pretty much sealed the game.”
There were several highlights of the game. UW running back Rufus “Roadrunner” Ferguson ran for 103 yards and scored a 34-yard touchdown. Wide receiver Tim Klosek caught five passes for 135 yards and scored on a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Neil Graff. Klosek and Graff also connected on a 38-yard pass that set up Jaeger for the winning kick. The game is ranked as the 19th-greatest moment in Camp Randall stadium history in the team’s official fact book.
Shining Moments in Badger History are sponsored by Marshfield Clinic.
AUDIO – Shining Moments Radio Feature for 09-03-13 – Wisconsin defeats Michigan State
