Special Teams: A
The special teams play of the game came following Minnesota’s made field goal in the second half to cut Wisconsin’s lead to 17-10. Aron Cruikshank fielded the kick at the five-yard line before pitching it back to Isaac Guerendo. Guerendo proceeded to run 49-yards to help set Wisconsin up first and 10 at Minnesota’s 39-yard line.
Wisconsin’s offense did the rest as it took them two plays to cover the 39-yards as Kendric Pryor finished the drive off with a 26-yard touchdown run.
After hitting a 62-yard field goal against Purdue Zach Hintze handled all kicking duties. Hintze made his lone field goal attempt of the game from 26 yards to cut Minnesota’s lead to 7-3 and he made all of his extra points.
Lotti only punted it three times as one of his three punts landed inside the 20-yard line. Lotti’s first punt of the day wasn’t his best as it set Minnesota’s offense up at the Gophers 49-yard line and they only needed two plays to take an early 7-0 lead.
Overall: A
Wisconsin’s offense was simply dominant in the second half. Wisconsin possessed the football six times over the second half but on the Badgers first four offensive possessions all resulted in touchdowns. Not to mention Wisconsin only needed 16 plays to generate the four touchdowns as they accumulated 244 yards of total offense as they averaged 15.25 yards per play.
Two of Wisconsin’s four offensive possessions the Badgers drove the football down the field for 91 and 96 yards. On each offensive possession where Wisconsin was facing a long field the Badgers were able to come up with a chunk play through the passing game.
On Wisconsin’s 91-yard touchdown drive Cephus had a catch of 31-yards, which helped flip the field and his 47-yard touchdown reception helped Wisconsin stake control of the game.
Wisconsin’s touchdown drive that went 96-yards Garrett Groshek had a huge 70-yard reception on third and six at Wisconsin’s 19-yard line. Cephus was instrumental in his downfield blocking to help spring Groshek’s long reception. One play later Taylor registered his first rushing touchdown of the game.
Even though Minnesota was able to contain Taylor on the ground the Badgers were able to make Minnesota pay for loading the box by beating them through the air. Something Wisconsin will need to continue to do when they play Ohio State next week in the Big Ten Championship game.