While Wisconsin may have been the better team on paper, there is no such thing as a sure victory in the Big House. But after having gone winless in Michigan Stadium since 1994, UW was on a mission and stayed focused throughout 60 minutes of play. The Badgers' 48-28 win over the Wolverines now puts Wisconsin at 10-1 with a 6-1 record in the Big Ten, good for a share of first place in the Big Ten.
Though Wisconsin failed to score on the opening possession for just the third time this season, the drought was short-lived as a 20-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Montee Ball put Wisconsin on the board with three minutes left in the opening quarter.
""I was very excited the way they started things off in the first half, offensively and defensively,"" head coach Bret Bielema said after the game.
Though all three first-half touchdowns for the Badgers came on the ground, it was the consistency of senior quarterback Scott Tolzien that allowed Wisconsin to gradually build a comfortable 24-0 lead at halftime.
With Ball and freshman James White combining for 194 yards and three touchdowns just in that first half, the added bonus of Tolzien's 13/14 for 196 yards gave Badger fans very little to worry about at the half.
Except, of course, history. Having quite infamously blown a 19-point halftime lead in their last trip to the Big House in 2008, this team was fully aware that 30 minutes of play remained.
""I didn't rest easy until I knew [Michigan was] out of timeouts and I could call victory [formation],"" Bielema said. ""[But] anytime you can do that in a place like this, that's very special.""
Early in the third quarter, it seemed like history just might be coming back to rear its ugly head. Off the opening kickoff sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson led Michigan on a 71-yard drive capped off by a touchdown catch by Darryl Stonum.
When Isaac Anderson's fumble on the ensuing drive left Michigan with a short field and a two-play, 38-yard drive, the comfortable 24-point lead was down to a tenuous 10.
Though Michigan's run out of the half may have put a scare in the minds of Badger fans, the team was able to keep history out of the way.
""I think the good thing was, you know, I don't even hear [2008] mentioned once,"" Tolzien said. ""I think that's the way its gotta be because this is a different year.""
As the Wolverine offense awoke, Wisconsin changed its approach, relying on a powerful rushing attack to maintain possession. The balanced offense of the first half transformed into a ground blitz as Wisconsin ran the ball on every play after the Anderson fumble.
""I knew we ran the ball a lot, I didn't even realize how much we ran it until everyone was saying they passed the ball one time,"" senior lineman Gabe Carimi said. ""If it's working, there's no reason to fix it.""
Wisconsin's run game provided a healthy dose of production in the form of 357 yards and six touchdowns. This effectiveness on the ground allowed the Badgers to keep the ball in their hands and Michigan's offense off the field.
Though the shootout continued as both sides continued to trade scores, junior JJ Watt's interception with 12 minutes left sent many of the 112,276 that packed into Michigan Stadium heading for the exits.
""It was a great play,"" Watt said. ""It had to have gone about 75, 80 yards in the air because it felt like forever and I was just standing there waiting for it to come down.""
Although the Big House demons may be behind this Badger team for now, the dream of a conference title has yet to be fulfilled. With Michigan State's victory in the final seconds over Purdue maintaining the tie, victory next Saturday over Northwestern is a must to keep UW's BCS hopes alive.
""Northwestern is the next opportunity on our plate,"" Bielema said. ""As I told the guys in our break, its in your hands.""
