Here are some of the most notable Twitter reactions from the Wisconsin Badgers’ 45-21 victory over the Purdue Boilermakers in Madison.
Needing a victory yesterday to set up a showdown against Minnesota next weekend for the Big Ten West title, No. 12 Wisconsin took care of business at Camp Randall and downed Purdue 45-21.
The events that took place at Camp Randall Stadium yesterday elicited a flood of reactions and takes throughout the Twitterverse, both during the game and after. Here are some of the most notable:
The final home game of the season, yesterday’s contest was the last time we will see the Badgers at Camp Randall until the 2020 season opener against Indiana next September. It was also the final opportunity for Wisconsin’s senior class to play in front of the home crowd.
After finding some success with the Wildcat formation last week against Nebraska, Paul Chryst decided to go to it on multiple occasions again yesterday. It paid off big time, as the Badgers scored two touchdowns on the play against the Boilermakers.
The first came on Wisconsin’s initial drive of the game from speedy wide receiver Aron Cruickshank, who got his team on the board with an electrifying touchdown for the second week in a row.
Garrett Groshek also got in on the Wildcat fun with his critical six-yard scamper to the end zone to stretch Wisconsin’s lead to 14 late in the third quarter.
Speaking of Groshek, it was a banner day for another former walk-on as well in wide receiver Jack Dunn, who reeled in the first touchdown reception of his career with a little over four minutes left in the first half. The score was a big one, as it capped an eight-play drive that regained the lead for Wisconsin after Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins’ backbreaking 37-yard touchdown catch earlier in the second quarter.
That was a big play from Dunn, but the most impressive highlight of the day would come a few minutes later in the second quarter when Zach Hintze came out to attempt a 62-yard field goal with seconds remaining in the half.
Collin Larsh had handled placekicking duties all season long after coming out on top of Hintze in a preseason competition for the gig, but the latter has utilized his huge leg to become a weapon as a touchback specialist on kickoffs. With his team unlikely to score a touchdown on a Hail Mary attempt, Chryst instead opted to gamble on Hintze’s leg talent, and boy did it pay off.
The senior kicker had only attempted one field goal in his career prior to yesterday, another 62-yarder that he missed against Northwestern last season. Nonetheless, Hinzte proceeded to nail the kick as time expired to provide Wisconsin with a huge momentum boost going into the locker room and send his team and the Badger faithful at Camp Randall into a frenzy. The field goal set a school record and was the second-longest in Big Ten history.
Hintze’s teammates appeared to get a little too excited as they mobbed him after the kick.
Another jaw-dropping moment came courtesy of Quintez Cephus, who has been a human highlight reel throughout his career in Madison. The junior wideout hauled in a ridiculous 29-yard touchdown reception that stretched Wisconsin’s lead over Purdue to 21 near the end of the third quarter and had some folks buzzing about a potential NFL future.
However, as usual, it was Jonathan Taylor who stole the show for the Badgers in what most assume was the junior running back’s final game at Camp Randall. Taylor racked up 222 yards on 28 carries (an average of 7.9) to go along with this 51-yard house call.
It was yet another record-setting day for the All-American back as well.
If yesterday’s contest was indeed the last opportunity for us to watch one of the greatest players in program history on the field he has made so many memories on, it’s hard to argue we could have asked for a more impressive final act from Taylor. The Wisconsin fans in attendance at Camp Randall yesterday made sure to express their gratitude for an incredible performance and pay homage to a truly special player.
Taylor even made a lap around the stadium after the win to embrace some of the fans.
While most expect Taylor to be in the NFL at this time next year, he did make an interesting comment regarding his future in the postgame presser.
Nonetheless, the chances of Taylor returning for his senior season remain very slim. While Wisconsin has a proud history of churning out elite running backs that will likely continue into the future, it’s hard to imagine we will see one more talented than Taylor come along again for quite some time, if ever.
The victory over Purdue sets up a battle of epic proportions against Minnesota in Minneapolis next weekend for Paul Bunyan’s Axe and the right to represent the West in the Big Ten Championship Game. Following the win over the Boilermakers, all eyes immediately turned toward the Golden Gophers.
As if next week’s matchup hasn’t already received enough hype, ESPN’s College GameDay announced shortly after the game that it will be headed to Minneapolis for the first time ever for the matchup between the Badgers and Gophers.
After falling to Minnesota in embarrassing fashion in the last game of the regular season last year at Camp Randall and with a trip to Indianapolis on the line, the Badgers are ready to exact some revenge.
