The Wisconsin Badgers improved to 9-1 overall and 6-1 in Big Ten play with a 13-3 win over Penn State Saturday. In a game reminiscent of the glory days of Big Ten smash-mouth football, the biggest collision of the game came on the Penn State sideline.
Early in the third quarter, sophomore linebacker Deandre Levy was tackling freshman tight end Andrew Quarless when the collision between the two players carried onto the PSU sideline. The two players slammed into head coach Joe Paterno, and the legendary head coach went down. Paterno suffered a knee injury, and was carted off the field after sitting on the bench for most of the third quarter.
UW head coach Bret Bielema shared his concern for Paterno's health along with his excitement to meet the tenured head coach during his post-game press conference.
""I can't put in words how much it meant for me to shake Joe Paterno's hand before the game. He has made college football what it is today,"" Bielema said. ""I just hope and pray that everything that happened over there for him is physically fine.""
With most of the attention focused on Paterno, it was easy for fans to miss the Badgers quietly going about their business and winning a football game.
The Badgers struck first on a 37-yard field goal by junior Taylor Mehlhaff with one second remaining in the first quarter. It was an unusual start on offense for the Badgers, as they literally threw Penn State a change-up by throwing the ball on five of their first six plays.
However, UW finally found running back P.J. Hill on the first play of their second drive. The redshirt freshman was back at the top of his game after suffering a neck injury last Saturday against Illinois. Hill ran for 148 yards on 31 carries, although he did not register a touchdown for the second week in a row.
The Nittany Lions tied the game 3-3 with a 39-yard field goal on the ensuing drive. On UW's next possession, Penn State squandered an opportunity to take momentum, and possibly the lead, away from the Badgers.
On second and seven from Wisconsin's 23-yard line, senior quarterback John Stocco dropped back to pass, unaware that linebacker Dan Connor was coming unblocked on his blindside. The sack forced Stocco to fumble the ball, and Sean Lee was able to come up with the recovery for Penn State.
Unfortunately for PSU, they were unable to capitalize on the turnover. The very next play set the tone for the rest of the game, as Penn State quarterback Tony Morelli's pass was tipped by senior lineman Joe Monty at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Roderick Rogers. Bielema was quick to praise his senior defensive back.
""Rogers is an unbelievable football player from the standpoint that he watches more film probably than anyone on our roster,"" Bielema said. ""Again, it's another example of senior leadership, he has won a lot of football games for us and just keeps doing what he does best.""
Wisconsin scored the lone touchdown in the game on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Stocco to wide receiver Paul Hubbard right before halftime to put the Badgers up 10-3. Hubbard had five catches for 77 yards and the touchdown. Hubbard has played well as of late, after dropping many passes early in the season.
""We are giving him some catching pills,"" Bielema said jokingly. ""As the season has gone along, Hubbard has really grown as a football player and in his abilities. He is a young guy who continues to make plays and just keeps moving forward.""
A field goal by Mehlhaff with 2:42 left in the third finished out the scoring for the afternoon.
The Badgers complete their Big Ten schedule next Saturday at Iowa.
