RECAP: Mistakes define Wisconsin’s blowout loss to No. 4 Alabama

Wisconsin suffered its first blemish of the 2024 season with a 42-10 blowout loss to No. 4 Alabama on Saturday.

While the final score was lopsided, the Badgers actually hung tough for almost the entire first half.

The team narrowly missed a big-play touchdown to cut the Crimson Tide lead to 14-10 with 30 seconds left before halftime. That pass from Braedyn Locke to Will Pauling narrowly fell incomplete in the back of the end zone, which led the Badgers to instead attempt a mid-range field goal attempt to cut the deficit to 14-6.

Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s demoralizing loss to No. 4 Alabama

That’s where the game turned for good.

Wisconsin kicker Nathanial Vakos missed the field goal. Alabama quickly responded with a 2-play, 73-yard touchdown drive to extend its lead to 21-3. That three-play sequence defined the game.

The Badgers played well at times on both sides of the football. But mistakes were sprinkled in, mistakes which Alabama turned into all 21 of its first-half points. That created a deficit that Wisconsin was unable to overcome.

The Badgers even made a push early in the second half thanks to a long touchdown drive led by Locke. Luke Fickell’s team followed that touchdown with a defensive stop, giving them the ball down 28-10 with plenty of time remaining. Sophomore RB Cade Yacamelli fumbled on the first play of the ensuing drive. Alabama had no trouble turning that mistake into another seven points.

That theme defined the afternoon for the Badgers. Any mistake led to Alabama points. That is not the way to pull an upset against one of the most talented teams in the sport.

Final: Alabama 42, Wisconsin 10

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) September 14, 2024

Wisconsin finished the game with 285 total yards (144 rushing, 141 passing) to Alabama’s 407 (181 rushing, 226 passing). The story is told by the turnover category. The Badgers gave the ball away four times — two fumbles, a missed field goal and a failed fourth down. It did not force any Alabama giveaways.

Wisconsin drops to 2-1 on the young season with the loss. It now moves into a bye week before beginning Big Ten play with a road trip to USC on Sept. 28.