LINCOLN, Neb. – There were many contributors to Wisconsin’s 37-21 win over Nebraska on Saturday, but these were the three key players to the Badgers’ victory over the Cornhuskers.
Jonathan Taylor
Taylor’s success against Nebraska continued on Saturday as for the third time in his career he rushed for over 200 yards as he finished the game with 204 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. In his career, Taylor rushed for 674 yards on 74 carries and seven touchdowns. Taylor didn’t bust a long rush against Nebraska as his longest gain was 19 yards but he still averaged an impressive 8.2 yards per carry. Taylor’s first touchdown of the day in the second quarter put Wisconsin up 24-14 allowing the Badgers to play with a double-digit lead for the rest of the game.
Reggie Pearson
Pearson had to exit the game briefly with a right arm injury but he was able to return to the game. With Nebraska threatening to cut Wisconsin’s lead to 37-27 in the fourth quarter Pearson was able to make the critical defensive play of the game when he stopped Wyatt Mazour at Wisconsin’s 1-yard line on a fourth and goal play. Pearson finished the game with a team leading 10 tackles.
Zack Baun
Adrian Martinez was able to get out of the pocket and pick up positive yards at times with his feet as he finished the game with 89 yards rushing on 16 carries and one touchdown. But Baun did register two sacks his second multi-sack game this season and third in his career. Baun’s second sack of the day was big as it resulted in a 20-yard loss. Martinez on Nebraska’s opening offensive possession in the second half was able to get the Cornhuskers to Wisconsin’s 24-yard line. On first and 10 with Martinez dropping back to pass Baun’s sack set up 2nd and 30 at Wisconsin’s 44-yard line. Although Martinez was able to get the 20-yards back on Nebraska’s next two plays it forced the Cornhuskers to settle for a field goal from 41-yards, which they missed. That missed field goal by Nebraska allowed for Wisconsin to go on a 9-play, 76-yard touchdown drive as Taylor capped it off with an 11-yard touchdown run.