“Historic” is an apt word to describe Wisconsin football’s 44-25 loss to Nebraska on Saturday.
The Badgers entered the contest on a 10-game winning streak against the rival. That win streak was defined by dominance on the ground, headlined by historic days from Melvin Gordon, Jonathan Taylor and Braelon Allen.
Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin’s 44-25 loss to Nebraska
On Saturday, Nebraska flipped the script. The Cornhuskers totaled 473 total yards, including 180 on the ground on five yards per carry. Matt Rhule’s team, one that had lost four straight entering the matchup, scored on its final six possessions of the game.
Wisconsin took a minor step forward on offense after making a coordinator change after its Week 12 loss to Oregon. Braedyn Locke led that effort with 292 yards and three passing touchdowns. But just like at Iowa two weeks ago, the story of the game was Wisconsin’s defense practically falling apart.
Nebraska’s offense averaged nearly 6.4 yards per play on the afternoon. Its 44 points are its most in the all-time series. It is the third time Wisconsin has allowed 40+ points this season. The last time that happened was 2001 — also the last year the program missed a bowl game.
Big-picture, the defeat is Wisconsin’s first to Nebraska since 2012. The result also clinched Nebraska’s first bowl appearance since 2016, snapping a nine-game losing streak with a bowl appearance at stake. Finally, it handed the Cornhuskers the Freedom Trophy for the first time in its existence.
By any measure, the loss was a historic one.
Wisconsin now falls to 5-6 on the season and 3-5 in Big Ten play. It needs a win over Minnesota in Week 14 or the program will miss its first bowl game in 23 years.
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