Head coach Bielema impressed with record setting run game against Indiana
The Wisconsin Badgers have solidified their spot in the Big Ten title game by blowing out the Indiana Hoosiers 62-14 in Bloomington on Saturday. They will face 14th ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers or the 21st ranked Michigan Wolverines.
The Badgers (7-3, 4-2 Big Ten) racked up a school-record 564 rushing yards against the Hoosiers (4-6, 2-4 Big Ten). Junior running back James White rushed for 163 yards on 14 carries and had two touchdowns. Senior running back Montee Ball rushed for 208 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns.
AUDIO: Bielema on Ball’s performance :13
Senior quarterback Curt Phillips, in his first collegiate start, threw for only 41 yards and a touchdown, but added 68 yards on the ground. Bielema’s plan was to keep the pressure off Phillips, but was impressed with the senior quarterback.
AUDIO: Bielema on plan for QB Phillips :20
Wisconsin opened the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to make the game 7-0. The Badgers then scored again off a rare throw from Phillips to sophomore tight end Sam Arneson on third and goal. The Badgers wrapped up the first half with another score from White on a 69-yard touchdown run. They led 24-7 at halftime.
The third quarter saw two touchdowns from Ball which puts the running back two touchdowns away from being the all-time scorer in FBS history. Miami University (Ohio) alum Travis Prentice is the all-time scorer for running backs with 78 touchdowns, Ball currently has 77.
But the game was not done yet, as the fourth quarter saw a 50-yard touchdown run from White, who is now the school’s career leader in yards per carry (6.25 YPC) with Ron Dayne in second (5.84 YPC).
Coach Bielema says this is a good football team that keeps getting better despite having quarterback issues.
AUDIO: Bielema on quality of Badger team:27
With a spot in the Big Ten title game clinched, the Badgers look to make a statement as they take on the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes next Saturday at Camp Randall.