The 25th ranked Wisconsin Badgers bounced to a 21-0 lead and went on to beat Illinois 56-32, earning their first road win of the season.
Melvin Gordon
The Badgers earned a 2nd straight victory, improving to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten Conference.
Wisconsin opened the game by scoring touchdowns on runs of 2 yards by RB James White and 26 yards by RB Melvin Gordon. The Badgers followed by concerting a turnover with a Joel Stave to TE Brian Wozniak 2-yard touchdown pass.
AUDIO: TE Jacob Pederson said a great start helped them win :13
The Badgers started the second half with a pair of touchdowns, with the wind at their backs. Stave hit James White with a 3-yard scoring pass and Gordon followed with a 13-year touchdown run to make it 42-17.
AUDIO: Joel Stave says the quick start in the 2nd half was huge :15
Melvin Gordon led the Badgers in rushing with 17 carries for 142 rushing yards, the sixth time in seven games this season he has rushed for 140 or more yards. He also scored three touchdowns. James White added 98 yards on 20 carries.
Joel Stave finished 16 of 21 for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Jared Abbrederis returned from a concussion to catch 8 passes for 106 yards.