Wisconsin improved to 4-2 on the 2024 season and 2-1 in Big Ten play with a dominant 42-7 win over Rutgers on Saturday.
The win is a further statement from Luke Fickell’s team. It struggled to a 2-2 record through the first four games of the season. It has now opened a two-game winning streak with victories over Purdue and Rutgers by a combined margin of 94-13.
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The story of the game was, yet again, a suddenly dominant offensive unit. Phil Longo’s group totaled 549 yards (240 passing, 309 rushing). Veteran running back Tawee Walker led the way with 24 carries, 198 yards, 8.3 yards per carry and three rushing touchdowns — that output thanks in part to another dominant afternoon from the Badgers’ offensive line.
QB Braedyn Locke also added another 20 for 28 passing for 240 yards and one touchdown to his season total. 81 of those yards came to WR Vinny Anthony who continues to emerge as a big-time playmaker for Longo’s unit.
Mike Tressel’s defense also played a big role in the blowout victory. The unit held Rutgers star RB Kyle Monangai to only 72 total yards and 3.8 yards per carry. They forced Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis to throw the football, which he did not do effectively.
Overall, Wisconsin appears to have turned a corner. The Badgers have made clear strides on both sides of the football after some sub-par play to begin the season. That improvement has helped the team’s rest-of-season outlook with games still remaining against Northwestern, vs. No. 4 Penn State, at Iowa, vs. No. 3 Oregon, at Nebraska and vs. Minnesota.
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