Special Teams: C-
Aron Cruickshank was the star of special teams. Cruickshank returned his second kickoff of the season back for a touchdown resulting in a 95-yard touchdown, which tied the game at seven.
Cruickshank returned his second kickoff 47-yards setting Wisconsin up at the 50-yard line. Cruickshank’s return helped set Wisconsin up to make sure they had a chance to come away with points before the half as Coan found Cephus on an 11-yard pass giving the Badgers a 17-14 lead with 11 seconds remaining. Overall, Cruickshank returned four kicks for 194 yards.
While the kickoff return team was a bright spot punter Anthony Lotti for a second consecutive game struggled to handle a punt. Lotti on Wisconsin’s first offensive possession of the second half received the punt from Adam Bay but simply fumbled the football. Lotti tried to pick it up but he couldn’t get a handle on the football, which allowed for Breeze to pick up the football as he raced 31-yards into the endzone to give Oregon a 21-17 lead.
Collin Larsh finished the game 2-for-3 on his field goal attempts as he made field goals from 44 and 27-yards but he missed one wide left from 47-yards. Larsh was also able to connect on all three of his extra points.
Overall: C
Simply put Wisconsin despite the sloppy play had a chance of winning the game. Wisconsin beat themselves at times as outside of the Badgers turnovers penalties also killed Wisconsin. Wisconsin finished the game with nine penalties for 79-yards.
Despite the poor play at times by Wisconsin, they still put themselves in a position to win the game. But ultimately Wisconsin couldn’t overcome the mistakes they normally don’t make in a game whether that’s turnovers, penalties, or allowing their emotions getting the better of them.
Despite the season not ending the way, Wisconsin would have liked the Badgers found a way to recover in November after losing two consecutive games in October to give themselves a chance of playing in the Rose Bowl. The Badgers didn’t quit and despite there being six lead changes against Oregon the Badgers offense couldn’t put together one more offensive drive to end their losing streak in the Rose Bowl game.