ORLANDO, Fla.—The UW football team rushed for negative five yards, allowed 257 yards on the ground and did not score in the second half of the Capital One Bowl. Yet somehow, despite these numbers, the Badgers (12-1) took home their second straight Capital One Bowl victory, defeating Arkansas (10-4) 17-14.
With the victory, the 2006-'07 Badgers became the only Wisconsin football team ever to win 12 games in a season.
""We couldn't ask for a better way to go out, as the winningest team in Wisconsin history,"" said senior safety Joe Stellmacher, who had six tackles (two for loss) in the last game of his career.
""It feels unbelievable,"" senior quarterback and Capital One Bowl MVP John Stocco (206 yards, two TDs, two INTs) said. ""This is by far the best group of guys I've played with.""
The game started auspiciously enough for the Wisconsin defense, as it gave up a 14-yard completion on the second play of the game. Then Heisman candidate running back Darren McFadden broke free for what appeared to be an easy touchdown before the sophomore was brought down by a saving tackle at the Wisconsin 10-yard line by sophomore cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu.
That tackle would prove key as sophomore Razorback kicker Jeremy Davis missed the ensuing 30-yard field goal. The Badgers used the shift in momentum and two catches by sophomore tight end Travis Beckum to get to the Arkansas 35-yard line. Junior kicker Taylor Mehlhaff then hit a career-long 52-yard field goal to give UW the lead.
The lead did not last long, however. On the first play following the kickoff, Arkansas' other star running back, Felix Jones, scampered 76 yards to put the Razorbacks up 7-3.
Arkansas' defensive line began its domination of the Badgers' offense on the next possession, sacking Stocco twice and stuffing freshman running back P.J. Hill as they would all game long.
Nonetheless, on UW's following drive, Stocco would finally get some protection and took full advantage. He capped a 91-yard drive with a touchdown pass to a leaping Paul Hubbard to give the Badgers the lead once again.
""Paul Hubbard ... came up with a few huge catches,"" UW head coach Bret Bielema said. ""I can't say enough about Paul Chryst and our offensive coaches and their ability to adapt to the game.""
Disaster nearly struck for the Badgers in the second quarter. Junior punter Ken DeBauche had a punt blocked, but he was able to recover the ball and commit a penalty allowing Wisconsin to rekick the ball. After the consequent Razorback drive stalled, the Badger offense would strike again.
Stocco found his rhythm on the next drive, completing a 24-yard pass to Hubbard before connecting with Beckum for a 13-yard score to make the score 17-7.
""We went to John [Stocco]'s arm and were able to find some success,"" Bielema said.
That would end the scoring for the first half, despite an interception and a punt block for Wisconsin and two interceptions by the Razorbacks.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair dominated by defense. Wisconsin amassed negative six yards for the quarter, while Arkansas was held in check nearly the entire quarter. But the Razorbacks' vaunted Wildcat formation, which was ineffective for most of the game, did work for one drive, and at the beginning of the fourth quarter Jones ran in a 12-yard touchdown to cut Arkansas' deficit to three with 14 minutes left in the game.
Arkansas would threaten on its last few drives, including one beginning with good field position after a critical P.J. Hill fumble with six minutes left. But key drops by Razorback receivers and a huge sack by sophomore defensive lineman Jason Chapman gave Wisconsin the win.
""We knew [the pressure] was on us for the second half,"" said senior safety Zach Hampton, who had an interception and five tackles in relief of injured senior safety Roderick Rogers.
The Badger defense may not have been able to stop the run, as McFadden and Jones combined for 252 yards on the ground, but the much-maligned Razorback air attack got very little going throughout the game. Arkansas' quarterbacks combined for a mere 136 yards, throwing two interceptions and consistently missing open receivers.
With the win, Wisconsin will certainly begin next season at least in the top 10 in the polls, and the Badgers are optimistic for 2007-'08.
""The future is bright, there are so many good younger players on this team,"" Stocco said. ""I think they can take it to the next step.""
""I feel like we‘ve gained more respect,"" Hubbard added. ""Our Big Ten schedule was rough, but beating a strong SEC team like Arkansas should help.""
