In front of the seventh largest crowd in Camp Randall Stadium history, the UW football team hung on against the Michigan Wolverines, beating them 37-21 on Saturday.
UW (4-3 Big Ten, 8-3 Overall), played their most complete game of the season both offensively and defensively, confusing Michigan (6-1, 8-3) and forcing them into three turnovers without committing any turnovers themselves.
We went out there, we prepared hard all week, and it came out our way,"" junior tight end Travis Beckum said.
A week ago, against Ohio State, Beckum played his best game of the season. On Saturday he hauled in six balls for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The touchdown to Beckum was the first score of the day for the Badgers. Senior quarterback Tyler Donovan took the snap, rolled out to his right, slowed down, and slightly underthrew the ball across the field to a wide-open Beckum, who adjusted and caught the ball for the touchdown.
""I thought if the ball was there two seconds further, I probably would have [fallen] backwards 'cause I was backpedaling,"" Beckum said. ""The ball, I guess you could say, wasn't where you wanted it to be, but I just made the catch.""
The Badger rushing attack featuring sophomore running back Lance Smith and freshman running back Zach Brown controlled the tempo of the game, as Smith ended the game with 52 yards after leaving the game with a shoulder injury in the second half.
It was Brown, however, who had a career day by breaking the century mark and scoring two touchdowns that put away a pesky Wolverine team. Brown finished with 108 yards on the ground.
After coming out of halftime with a 20-7 lead, UW extended the margin when Taylor Mehlhaff connected on his third field goal of the game to make the score 23-7. However, UW would allow Michigan to crawl back into the game once the fourth quarter started.
Facing a third and nine from his own three-yard line early in the quarter, Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallet, who entered the game late in the first quarter for injured Chad Henne, connected with wide receiver Mario Manningham for a 97-yard touchdown pass, making the score 23-14.
""We were in cover two, Mallett just found the hole. Mallett just threw that on a rope, I mean, I've never seen a throw like that,"" junior cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu said. ""I turned and the ball was just there, they found a hole in the defense [and] Mario made a good move on the safety. With speed like he has it's a touchdown every time.""
After a quick three and out from the Badgers, Michigan's Mallett was intercepted on the first play of the ensuing drive by sophomore safety Shane Carter, his second interception of the game. However, UW could not capitalize on the opportunity as five plays later they were forced to punt.
Ten plays later, Michigan wide receiver Adrian Arrington beat UW freshman cornerback Aaron Henry and caught the Mallet pass for a touchdown, making the score 23-21 with 7:26 to go.
""They did get a lot of momentum from that touchdown,"" freshman running back Zach Brown said. ""We just came through and was able to turn it around, and that shows that we just got to come out there, the game is not over.""
After Donovan left the game on the ensuing Badger drive following a hand injury, the Badger offense stalled and punted the ball back to Michigan with 5:46 left in the game, with the chance to take the lead. However, on third and 29 Mallett threw an interception to Ikegwuonu, which set up the game finishing Zach Brown touchdown run five plays later.
How good does a statement win against Michigan on senior day feel? Just ask senior wide receiver Paul Hubbard, who tallied seven catches for 134 yards, after battling injuries for most of the season.
""Probably one of the sweetest things you could ever feel,"" he said. ""It's the last home game, we remained undefeated at home, we went out on top against an opponent who put a blemish on our record last year. It was good, it was big time.
