The No. 6 Badgers (7-0 Big Ten, 10-0 overall) overcame a multitude of mistakes Saturday to stifle No. 25 Iowa 38-14 in a sloppy affair.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Alex Hornibrook threw three interceptions, true freshman running back Jonathan Taylor lost a fumble, and yet Wisconsin still managed to earn its first victory over a ranked opponent this season.
The Hawkeyes opened the scoring just 90 seconds into the game when redshirt cornerback Josh Jackson intercepted Hornibrook and then returned the ball for a 43-yard touchdown.
The Badgers, however, would answer with 17 straight points, as redshirt freshman wide receiver Kendric Pryor scored a pair of touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in the second quarter.
Despite a second pick-six from Jackson with 11:18 remaining in the third quarter, there would be no comeback for the Hawkeyes, who were completely smothered just a week after hanging 55 points on Ohio State.
Jackson's 95 yards on interception returns — his second score went for 52 yards — actually bested Iowa's total of 66 yards on offense.
A third quarter fumble recovery touchdown from senior outside linebacker Leon Jacobs gave the Badgers a defensive touchdown of their own, handing the Badgers a 10-point lead and adding yet another highlight to a wacky game.
Redshirt sophomore running back Bradrick Shaw capped off an eight-play drive in the fourth quarter to extend Wisconsin's lead, before true sophomore receiver A.J. Taylor caught a 5-yard touchdown to seal the win for the Badgers.
Thrust into a starting role after the season-ending injury to sophomore receiver Quintez Cephus, true freshman wideout Danny Davis III had his best game of the season, catching four balls for 74 yards.
His fellow freshman, running back Jonathan Taylor, played yet another solid game, gaining 157 yards on 29 carries.
The Badgers held the Hawkeyes' quarterback, sophomore Nate Stanley, to just 41 yards on 24 attempts, just a week after he passed for five touchdowns against the Buckeyes.
Wisconsin will host No. 21 Michigan next weekend, while the Hawkeyes will welcome Purdue.
Check back later at Dailycardinal.com/section/sports for full coverage of UW's victory.
