Wisconsin Badgers Football

The Wisconsin athletic department is projected to lose $100 million in revenue if the 2020 college football season is not played amid the COVID-19 pandemic, per athletic director Barry Alvarez in a letter published on uwbadgers.com (h/t ESPN's Mark Schlabach).

That $100 million figure is in addition to the $12 million that the department has already lost, per Alvarez, who laid out what the department has done to cut costs.

"To this point, we have taken many steps over the past few months to minimize the impact of a cancelled winter postseason and spring season. We have instituted pay decreases for our top 25 earners and workshare furloughs for all employees, put a freeze on almost all hiring, restricted travel, limited to essential-only spending and announced the delay of the South End Zone renovation project. These steps have allowed us to avoid the tough decisions other schools have already had to make, like eliminating sports or laying off employees."

Wisconsin's athletic department is operating on a $140 million operating budget for 2020-21, per Alvarez.

Schlabach provided more context on the financial figures: "A Wisconsin spokesperson told ESPN that the financial model assumes limited capacity at home football games, but he didn't specify what percentage."

The Big Ten football season has already been pared down to a conference-only slate because of the pandemic, which has already led to the MEAC, SWAC, Ivy League, Patriot League and other conferences canceling or postponing sports previously planned for the fall of 2020.

Per Schlabach, Wisconsin would still lose between $60 million and $70 million if a Big Ten-only slate occurs. The Pac-12 has also announced that its upcoming fall sports campaign will be conference-only.

Todd M. Milewski of the Wisconsin State Journal outlined what Wisconsin's plans are should it stare down tens of millions of more in revenue loss, referencing the school's reserve fund.

"UW said it didn't have to tap into an operating reserve fund held at the UW Foundation to cover a projected deficit of around $2.5 million for the 2019-20 fiscal year that ended June 30. That probably will change this year.

"The reserve fund totaled more than $190 million at the end of the 2018-19 fiscal year, according to an audit. Most was held in endowments or targeted for specific capital projects, UW said, so the reserve isn't enough to cover the loss of an entire year of operating revenue."

As Schlabach noted, the football program brought in roughly 58 percent of the department's $157.7 million in revenue, per a school financial report to the NCAA. Those figures include $45.6 million from media rights and $24 million in ticket sales.

Wisconsin is currently scheduled to host Indiana on September 4 to start its season.

Former Wisconsin receiver Marcus Randle El surrendered to authorities and was arrested on two counts of first-degree intentional homicide, according to WCLO in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Randle El, the younger brother of former NFL receiver Antwaan Randle El, is the suspect in a double homicide on Feb. 10.

Nick Viviani and Tim Elliott of NBC 15 in Madison reported a motorist found Seairaha Winchester and Brittany McAdory in the middle of the road in Janesville. They had suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were transported to a local hospital, where they died.

Lt. Charles Aagaard of the Janesville Police Department said security footage showed Winchester and McAdory leaving a gas station at 2 a.m. Police said they discovered evidence that indicated they were meeting with Randle El.

Randle El was arrested in January 2014 after allegedly kidnapping his daughter at gunpoint and received a six-year prison sentence for home invasion with a weapon. He was released on parole in October 2018.

The 33-year-old also received 18 months probation in April 2006 after reaching a deal with prosecutors stemming from separate altercations with his girlfriend and a former teammate at Wisconsin.

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor announced his intention to declare for the 2020 NFL draft Friday, forgoing his final year of eligibility:

https://twitter.com/JayT23/status/1213253490924900352

Taylor was a three-year starter for the Badgers, compiling 6,174 rushing yards to rank second on the school's all-time rushing list behind Ron Dayne. He is sixth on the NCAA's all-time list, and no player has ever rushed for more yards through his junior season.

He totaled 2,003 rushing yards in 2019 while finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, the third straight year he finished in the top 10 of voting.

"That's the goal," Taylor said of turning pro on The Rich Eisen Show in October. "That would be the goal, if everything plans out well. You can't look too far ahead, but you know, of course everyone at this level would love to be there in February."

Taylor is currently ranked as the No. 26 overall player in the 2020 class and is the third-ranked running back for Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. He'll become the first Wisconsin running back to be drafted since Melvin Gordon III (2015), whom Taylor has cited as one of his favorite backs growing up. 

Should Taylor come off the board in the first round, he'll be the first Wisconsin player to be drafted on the first day since 2017. The Badgers have not had a player drafted higher than the third round in either of the previous two drafts.

Taylor's bona fides as a runner are unquestioned, but his first-round stock is hurt by his lack of pass-catching prowess. He's only compiled 42 receptions in three seasons at Wisconsin, including just 16 in his first two, though that issue is partially schematic.

With teams emphasizing versatility at running back more than ever, it's possible Taylor will fall to Day 2.  

The No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers upset the No. 8 Minnesota Golden Gophers 38-17 Saturday evening at a snowy TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to claim their sixth Big Ten West title since 2011.

Order is Restored pic.twitter.com/ddPE2fkDIV

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 30, 2019

The Gophers jumped out to a promising lead on their first possession with a 51-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tanner Morgan to receiver Rashod Bateman. However, the Badgers reclaimed control of the game after that. Wisconsin scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to open up a 38-10 lead and suck the life out of Minnesota.

Both teams finished the regular season at 10-2.

The rivals' all-time series was tied at 60-60-8, and Wisconsin now holds the historical edge as well as Paul Bunyan's Axe. Minnesota snapped a 14-game losing streak against the Badgers last season but couldn't carry that into Saturday's matchup.

More importantly, Wisconsin will face No. 2 Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship on Dec. 7.

     

Notable Stats

WIS QB Jack Coan: 280 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT; 3 carries, 20 yards

WIS RB Jonathan Taylor: 18 carries, 76 yards, 2 TD; 2 catches, 39 yards, 1 TD

WIS WR Quintez Cephus: 5 catches, 114 yards, 1 TD

WIS RB Garrett Groshek: 1 catch, 70 yards

MIN QB Tanner Morgan: 296 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

MIN RB Mohamed Ibrahim: 5 carries, 39 yards

MIN WR Rashod Bateman: 6 catches, 147 yards, 1 TD

MIN WR Tyler Johnson: 8 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD

     

Wisconsin and Ohio State Set for Third Big Ten Championship Meeting

The Badgers will be out for revenge next Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

While the Badgers won the first two Big Ten championships, they have dropped their last three appearances. No other opponent has given them more trouble than the Buckeyes.

Since the Big Ten Championship Game was implemented in 2011, Wisconsin has faced Ohio State twice. In 2014, the Buckeyes blew out the Badgers 59-0. Their rematch in 2017 was closer, but OSU still prevailed 27-21.

This season, Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 38-7 in Week 9 on Oct. 26.

The most promising aspect of the Badgers' win over Minnesota was their ability to put a game away despite running back Jonathan Taylor being kept relatively in check for most of the game. The reigning Doak Walker Award winner rushed for 76 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 39 yards and another touchdown against the Gophers.

He had recorded three consecutive games with at least 200 running yards entering this matchup.

Taylor's 11-yard touchdown run with just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation helped give Wisconsin a 31-10 lead and effectively ended the game, but it was a 70-yard screen pass from Jack Coan to Garrett Groshek that set up the score:

How about the 3rd-down call?@garrettgro37 | @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/vUuZYPSv1l

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 30, 2019

Coan's 280 passing yards were the second-most in a game for him this season behind the 363 yards he threw in Week 2 against Central Michigan. The junior quarterback's performance against Minnesota was significantly more important and should give head coach Paul Chryst confidence that Coan will show up against OSU.

Junior wide receiver Quintez Cephus accounted for 114 of Coan's yards against the Gophers, including a 47-yard touchdown pass:

❄️ BLIZZARD TOUCHDOWN ❄️

Jack Coan connects with Quintez Cephus on a 47-yard touchdown pass.

via @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/8CEq0Vvk06

— FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (@FanDuelSN_WI) November 30, 2019

Having a layered offensive attack outside of Taylor will be imperative for the Badgers against the Buckeyes' top-ranked overall defense and fifth-ranked rushing defense that features potential No. 1 overall pick Chase Young on OSU's defensive line.

A strong defensive showing will be equally, if not more, important. Wisconsin's seventh-ranked overall defense will likely be what determines how this matchup plays out, given the Badgers offense is just 36th compared to Ohio State's fifth-ranked attack.

The Badgers D was able to force two turnovers and shut down the Gophers after their opening 51-yard touchdown pass from Morgan to Bateman. After that, Minnesota punted or turned the ball over on eight of its 10 possessions.

Containing the likes of OSU quarterback Justin Fields and running back J.K. Dobbins will be a much more difficult task. Wisconsin already experienced that firsthand.

Earlier this year, Ohio State held Taylor to 52 yards and no touchdowns on 20 carries while Dobbins gashed the Badgers for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Coan's 108 passing yards and one touchdown compared closer with Fields' 167 yards and two touchdowns.

The Badgers will have more momentum entering the Big Ten title game than they did last time they met with Ohio State, as they had lost their first game of the year the week prior to unranked Illinois 24-22. That won't make it any easier, though.

Wisconsin has to hope the fact that it hasn't defeated Ohio State since 2010 will serve as motivation rather than a foreshadowing.

     

What's Next?

Wisconsin and Ohio State will face off for the Big Ten title next Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Meanwhile, Minnesota will have to wait to see which bowl game it will play.

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor set another record in his storied collegiate career by becoming the first player in FBS history to amass 12 games of 200 or more rushing yards.

Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor has his 12th career game with at least 200 rushing yards, breaking a tie with Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams, and Marcus Allen for the most such games in FBS history. pic.twitter.com/zwdhcAx1KM

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 24, 2019

Taylor accomplished the feat in Wisconsin's 45-24 home win over Purdue on Saturday with 222 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries:

As ESPN Stats & Info noted, the junior was in good company alongside Heisman Trophy winners Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams and Marcus Allen on top of the 200-yard rushing list before Saturday. Taylor stands all alone now.

He has accomplished this feat in just 38 collegiate games, meaning he's rushed for 200-plus yards 31.6 percent of the time. That includes three straight and counting, with Nebraska and Iowa also allowing the benchmark.

The Badger has rushed for 1,685 yards and 18 touchdowns and has 20 receptions for 162 yards and four more scores on the year. Taylor has scored a touchdown or rushed for 100 or more yards in all but one game, which was against No. 2 Ohio State and its top-ranked scoring defense.

The Badgers will visit No. 10 Minnesota on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET to close the regular season. A to-be-determined bowl game also awaits them, so a second straight 2,000-yard rushing season isn't out of the question.

Taylor finished with 2,194 yards on the ground last year.    

Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor broke the record for most rushing yards through a player's junior season, previously held by Georgia Bulldogs legend Herschel Walker, in Saturday's game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Here's a look at the record-breaking play:

The record breaking run for @BadgerFootball RB @JayT23 🐐 pic.twitter.com/NllwPnqf6X

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 16, 2019

Taylor, a Heisman Trophy candidate, entered the Big Ten clash with 5,430 rushing yards for the Badgers. He surpassed 200 yards on the ground during Saturday's game.

1) Jonathan Taylor
2) @HerschelWalker

With 5,598 career rushing yards, @JayT23 just broke Herschel Walker's record for most rushing yards by a player through his junior season.#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/FVMN5GynR5

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 16, 2019

Passing Walker wasn't Taylor's only notable achievement, as he also moved up the Big Ten record books:

Greatness recognizes greatness. @BadgerFootball's @JayT23 surpasses Archie Griffin to move up to 2nd place on the Big Ten's all-time rushing list.

BTN x Unleaded 88 pic.twitter.com/Awsb8V4wD7

— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) November 16, 2019

The 20-year-old New Jersey native is eligible to enter the 2020 NFL draft, but his name would probably land atop every major Big Ten rushing list and maybe the national rushing record book if he decides to stick around for his senior season.

Former Wisconsin standout Ron Dayne holds the all-time collegiate mark with 7,125 rushing yards.

For now, he's trying to lead the Badgers into a New Year's Six bowl game.

The No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers topped the visiting No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes 24-22 Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium.

Iowa was trailing 21-6 entering the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to 21-16. Wisconsin got the ball back with just under 9:30 remaining in regulation and killed any momentum the Hawkeyes had behind 58 yards from running back Jonathan Taylor. The drive resulted in a field goal to extend the lead to 24-16.

Iowa answered right away with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Nate Stanley to Tyrone Tracy Jr. However, Stanley failed to convert what would have been the game-tying two-point conversion. Taylor bled the clock on the Badgers' ensuing possession to seal the win for Wisconsin, highlighted by a 42-yard run.

Jonathan Taylor rushed for a lot of yards (250) today, with Ron Dayne in the house. pic.twitter.com/G7Fu4Sk6Q9

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 10, 2019

It was a necessary win for the Badgers, who had lost two straight coming into the contest. Most recently, on Oct. 26, No. 3 Ohio State routed them 38-7.

Iowa also hadn't played since Oct. 26, but the Hawkeyes had conversely won two games in a row entering Saturday.

This result was most consequential to the Big Ten standings as No. 17 Minnesota remained undefeated by upsetting No. 4 Penn State earlier in the day. Minnesota sits atop the conference's West division, while Wisconsin took over sole possession of second by improving to 7-2 and dropping Iowa to 6-3.

     

Notable Stats

Wisconsin

RB Jonathan Taylor: 31 carries, 250 yards; 1 catch, 8 yards

QB Jack Coan: 173 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

WR Danny Davis III: 4 catches, 19 yards, 1 TD; 1 carry, 17 yards, 1 TD

WR Quintez Cephus: 5 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD

        

Iowa

QB Nate Stanley: 208 yards, 2 TD

RB Toren Young: 9 carries, 44 yards

WR Tyrone Tracy Jr.: 5 catches, 130 yards, 1 TD

WR Nico Ragaini: 6 catches, 32 yards, 1 TD

     

Jonathan Taylor Bounces Back from Ohio State Performance

The Badgers junior running back was held to a season-low 52 yards two weeks ago when No. 3 Ohio State pummeled Wisconsin 38-7. Taylor doubled that by halftime when he entered the locker room with 107 rushing yards already against Iowa and finished the contest with a season-high 250 yards.

Taylor's proficiency has come to be expected, as he has notched at least 100 yards on the ground in seven games this season while tallying his other 200-yard game on Sept. 21 with 203 yards against Michigan. However, what Taylor accomplished against the Hawkeyes defense wasn't a given:

Iowa came in allowing 87.5 yards per game on the ground. The #Badgers have 137 in the first half, including 107 from Jonathan Taylor.

— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) November 9, 2019

Prior to the game against Wisconsin, Iowa's defense hadn't allowed a run of 20 yards or more all season. Taylor had two of the kind—one for 36 yards and another for 42.

Iowa had allowed more than 120 yards of rushing in *a game* just once. https://t.co/KSwgvsaSpE

— Dave Heller ✍️ (@dave_heller) November 10, 2019

All together, it marked the 29th 100-yard rushing game of Taylor's Wisconsin career, according to Brian Mason of the team's communications department, good for second-most in program history to Ron Dayne's 33. Taylor's 10 games of 200 rushing yards or more are the most in FBS since 2017, per the Fox broadcast.

Taylor did surpass a different college football legend, though:

Jonathan Taylor passed LaDainian Tomlinson for 12th place for most rushing yards in FBS history (since 1956). #Badgers

— Dave Heller ✍️ (@dave_heller) November 10, 2019

Dayne was in attendance at the game. The former Wisconsin running back captured the 1999 Heisman Trophy. Taylor was tapped in the earlier stages of this season as a Heisman candidate who could challenge Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but the likes of LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has since overshadowed him.

According to Westgate Sportsbook (h/t Action Network's Steve Petrella), Taylor's Heisman odds dropped from 14-1 on Sept. 22 to 100-1 on Nov. 4. Tagovailoa and Burrow top the table at 3-1 and 6-5, first and third respectively.

Taylor showed Saturday why he deserves to remain in the Heisman conversation despite the unlikelihood that he'll actually take home the hardware. What feels more likely is Taylor repeating as the Doak Walker Award winner, given to the country's top college football running back.

Entering Week 11, Taylor was tied for fourth among all FBS running backs in rushing touchdowns (15) and ranked 10th in yards (1,009). Following his 250 yards against Iowa, Taylor's season totals have bumped to 1,214 yards and 15 touchdowns.

     

What's Next?

The Badgers will look to piece together back-to-back victories when they travel to Nebraska next Saturday.

The Hawkeyes have a much less enviable task, as they will host the undefeated No. 17 Minnesota Golden Gophers next Saturday.

The Wisconsin Badgers' hopes of winning the Big Ten and making the College Football Playoff took a major hit Saturday when they were stunned by Illinois. 

James McCourt's 39-yard field goal as time expired gave the Fighting Illini a 24-23 win over the nation's sixth-ranked team:

DOWN GOES NO. 6 WISCONSIN!

The first time the Badgers trail all year comes at the hands of @IlliniFootball.

James McCourt wins it: pic.twitter.com/r4WwNMWe0h

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 19, 2019

🚨 FIELD STORM ALERT 🚨 pic.twitter.com/5z5c4hWAKe

— Illinois on BTN (@IllinoisOnBTN) October 19, 2019

Per ESPN Stats & Info, the Badgers' loss was the biggest upset of the 2019 season based on the 30.5 points they were getting from Caesars Sportsbook:

Illinois was a 30.5 underdog against Wisconsin according to Caesars Sportsbook.

That is the...

- Largest upset so far this season

- 2nd largest upset in a Big Ten game over the last 40 seasons (Northwestern defeated Minnesota in 1982 as 32-point underdogs in that game) pic.twitter.com/fFBJHHiDIx

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 19, 2019

Through its first six games of the season, Wisconsin looked like an unstoppable force by outscoring its opponents 255-29 with four shutouts. The defense entered Saturday leading the nation in points allowed per game (4.8) and yards allowed per game (173.7). 

The Badgers went nine straight quarters without allowing an opponent to score dating back to their Oct. 5 win over Kent State. 

Illinois' 141 rushing yards Saturday were 51 more than Michigan State and Kent State had in the past two weeks combined. 

Another problem for Wisconsin was lack of execution in late-game situations. Jack Coan throwing an interception on 3rd-and-5 to give Illinois possession at its own 47-yard line with 2:32 left to play. 

Brandon Peters, who only completed nine of his 21 attempts, kept Illinois' game-winning drive going with a nine-yard pass to Daniel Barker on 3rd-and-6 for a first down at the Badgers' 40-yard line. 

Wisconsin did its best leading up to the Illinois game to downplay any notion it could be looking ahead to next week's showdown with Ohio State.

The Badgers may not have been peaking at that Oct. 26 matchup, but whatever went wrong Saturday leaves head coach Paul Chryst and his team in a situation where they are now looking up at Minnesota in the Big Ten West. 

On the winning side, Illinois hadn't beaten a ranked conference opponent since 2007 when the program took down Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State.

Head coach Lovie Smith hasn't had a lot of success since taking over the Illini in 2016 with an 11-31 record entering this week, but he earned a hallmark win for the ages and upended the playoff outlook for the Big Ten. 

Jonathan Taylor and the eighth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers dominated the Kent State Golden Flashes 48-0 at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. 

Taylor continued to put up big numbers by running for 186 yards and scoring five total touchdowns.

The victory keeps Wisconsin's perfect record intact, moving the Badgers to 5-0 on the season. Kent State, meanwhile, drops to 2-3.

          

Notable Performances

Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor: 19 carries, 186 rushing yards, three receptions, 29 receiving yards, five total touchdowns

Wisconsin QB Jack Coan: 12-of-15, 134 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions

        

Jonathan Taylor Continues Heisman Push

Only one non-quarterback (Alabama running back Derrick Henry, 2015) has won the Heisman Trophy since 2010.

Henry may soon have company.

Early on, it was evident the Golden Flashes had no answer for Taylor. The Badgers star helped his team go 68 yards in less than five minutes on its opening drive, capping things off with a touchdown:

We'll give you one guess on who scored the first @BadgerFootball TD today. pic.twitter.com/uRfsYVPgkK

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 5, 2019

The junior now has scored a touchdown on all five of Wisconsin's opening drives this season. According to Jason Starrett of The Athletic, the Badgers are the only FBS team to score on each of its opening possessions this season.

Taylor was only getting started:

Jonathan Taylor’s Heisman stock continues to rise 📊

◾️ 19 carries for 186 yards
◾️ 5 TDs total
◾️ Passed Melvin Gordon for 3rd on all-time Wisconsin rushing list

Wisconsin beats Kent State, 48-0 https://t.co/1bq2CvIvpg

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 5, 2019

Kent State defenders when they see Jonathan Taylor in the open field pic.twitter.com/YjnWk009am

— Stadium (@Stadium) October 5, 2019

Finding the end zone five times in one game is something that hadn't been done in the Big Ten in three years, per ESPN:

Jonathan Taylor is the first Big Ten player with 5 scrimmage TD in a game since Saquon Barkley in 2016 😳 pic.twitter.com/5SqoomTqAi

— ESPN (@espn) October 5, 2019

That performance made him the talk of the college football world:

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!#JT23 || #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/C3nw5Ynh3Z

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 5, 2019

Jonathan Taylor is the only FBS player to have at least 10 rushing touchdowns in each of the last 3 seasons.

Taylor is the first Big Ten RB to rush for 10 touchdowns in 3 straight seasons since Montee Ball (2010-2012). pic.twitter.com/dpCAWOfY7n

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 5, 2019

Jonathan Taylor is good.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 5, 2019

Taylor's day came to an end less than one minute into the second half following an 48-yard touchdown run.

Through his first five games, the 2018 All-American has 745 rushing yards, 114 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. 

He has not been held under 100 rushing yards in a contest dating back to Oct. 27, 2018. He is averaging 158.4 rushing yards per game during that span.

The Badgers have fed Taylor early and often all season, and that has been a recipe for success. As a result, first-year starter Jack Coan has been able to get acclimated under center without having to do much. There may come a time when Wisconsin needs Coan to make a big-time throw, but for now, Taylor is taking care of business. 

It will take a truly special performance for a running back to win the Heisman, as quarterbacks are on a three-year winning streak. But if Taylor keeps it up, he could find himself in New York in December.

       

What's Next 

Both teams will be back in action on Oct. 12 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Wisconsin will put its perfect record on the line in a showdown with No. 25 Michigan State in Madison, Wisconsin, while Kent State will face a conference road game at Akron. 

Although it wasn't the prettiest performance, the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers improved to 4-0 on Saturday with a 24-15 win over the Northwestern Wildcats at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Heisman Trophy candidate Jonathan Taylor led the way again offensively for Wisconsin from the running back position, while the Badgers defense flexed its muscle by holding Northwestern to 255 total yards, forcing three turnovers and scoring two touchdowns.

Wisconsin further established itself as the favorite in the Big Ten West by improving to 2-0 in conference play, while Northwestern is 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten so far this season.

                           

Notable Stats

Jack Coan, QB, Wisconsin: 15-of-24 for 113 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin: 26 carries for 119 yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions for 15 yards

Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin: 3 receptions for 30 yards

Hunter Johnson, QB, Northwestern: 10-of-21 for 59 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

Aidan Smith, QB, Northwestern: 8-of-19 for 99 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Drake Anderson, RB, Northwestern: 16 carries for 69 yards, 1 TD

Riley Lees, WR, Northwestern: 5 receptions for 59 yards

               

Badgers Look Like CFP Threat Behind Taylor, Stout Defense

Wisconsin is proof positive that there is more than one way to win in college football, and Saturday's throwback performance was another example.

High-scoring teams with high-flying passing offenses such as Clemson, Alabama, Oklahoma and Ohio State receive much of the national attention, but the Badgers have largely dominated this season with modest production at quarterback.

Taylor didn't gash Northwestern after going for 440 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns in his first three games, but he was undoubtedly the difference-maker on offense for Wisconsin with a 13-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter on a 4th-and-2:

Why kick when you have @JayT23?

Exactly.@BadgerFootball strikes first, leads 7-0. pic.twitter.com/lAqoWm6zjZ

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 28, 2019

Although it can be argued his numbers were somewhat modest, Taylor continued to make his mark on the Wisconsin record book:

Jonathan Taylor passed Anthony Davis (@AD908_Strong) for 4th place on UW’s all-time rushing yards list. #Badgers

— Dave Heller ✍️ (@dave_heller) September 28, 2019

Today marks Jonathan Taylor's 26th career game with at least 100 rushing yards.

That ties Montee Ball for the 2nd-most games in Wisconsin history -- only Ron Dayne has more (33). pic.twitter.com/z2cDBIHzVi

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 28, 2019

Taylor tends to receive much of the attention when it comes to Wisconsin football, but after stymieing the Northwestern offense Saturday, the Badgers may be able to stake claim to having the best defense in college football.

In addition to essentially shutting down the Wildcats offense, the Wisconsin defense scored some points of its own.

During the third quarter with the Badgers leading just 7-3, defensive back Eric Burrell forced a fumble on a sack of Northwestern quarterback Hunter Johnson, and it was recovered in the end zone by defensive lineman Matt Henningsen for a touchdown:

Points allowed in 2019, @BadgerFootball: 17

Points scored by DL Matt Henningsen in 2019: 12

The @BadgerFootball defense is dominating again. pic.twitter.com/Gx6bDPHJxy

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 28, 2019

Wisconsin later added to its 17-3 lead in the fourth quarter when linebacker Noah Burks intercepted quarterback Aidan Smith and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown:

It's almost October, and the @BadgerFootball defense has officially scored more points than it has allowed. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YVJhrQEe0x

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 28, 2019

The Badgers temporarily knocked Johnson out of the game on that drive with a big hit and took advantage of the quarterback change by picking off Smith.

After Wisconsin's second defensive touchdown of the day, former Badgers and current Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt tweeted the following:

Wisconsin defense is balling!!!!

— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) September 28, 2019

Johnson later left the game for good with a knee injury, and while Smith did lead a pair of touchdown drives, the Badgers made two stops on two-point conversion attempts to essentially quell the rally.

Through four games this season, the Badgers have two shutouts and have allowed a total of 29 points despite facing some quality football programs in Michigan and Northwestern.

Wisconsin's only remaining regular-season games against ranked opponents are tough ones on the road against No. 5 Ohio State on Oct. 26 and at home against No. 14 Iowa on Nov. 9, but if the Badgers can continue to run the ball well and play elite-level defense, they could be a CFP team.

                        

What's Next?

Wisconsin will be heavily favored to win next week in what should be a huge statistical game for Taylor when it hosts Kent State out of the MAC.

Meanwhile, Northwestern may be looking at a 1-4 start since it will remain on the road next week to face Nebraska and dual-threat quarterback Adrian Martinez.