At the break, the No. 14 Badgers led the unranked Huskers on the road, 27-14.
Some of the keys of the first half were Wisconsin’s success on special teams, the play of Jack Coan, and the Badgers’ early lack of rushing defense allowing scores to the opponent.
Special Teams
The third phase of football, often an unsung hero, played a major part to Wisconsin’s success in the first half.
Trailing 7-0 after having a fumble on their first offensive possession, Wisconsin had its first kick off return touchdown in four years, courtesy of speedy wide receiver and kick returner Aron Cruickshank.
Aron Cruickshank 89 yards to the HOUSE for @BadgerFootball ⚡️💨 pic.twitter.com/RZjIrCmtzi
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2019
In addition to this incredible return, kicker Collin Larsh made two field goals to add on to the Badgers’ lead.
Not always a positive for Wisconsin teams, the Badgers’ special teams looked awesome in the first two quarters.
Jack Coan
Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan played a very solid, in-control half for the Badgers, throwing for 128 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers.
The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Coan had a beautiful throw to Quintez Cephus on a fourth down, delivered a strike to AJ Taylor for a long touchdown, and simpy looked in command of the Badgers’ offense.
In a game against a lesser opponent and in possession of the lead, that’s all Coan really needs to do for Wisconsin to win the game.
Rushing defense
In a mostly positive first half, one major downside to the Badgers’ play was that of the rushing defense.
Nebraska rushed for two scores, and a whopping 151 yards on the ground in the first half.
Against a stout Wisconsin defense, that is very impressive from the Huskers, and a bad look for the Badgers, especially when thinking about the five missed tackles that could have prevented long runs of 27 yards and 26 yards, respectively, and hopefully something for the Badgers’ defense to improve in the second half.