Wisconsin, Northwestern look to build on big wins

Field Level Media|published: Wed 16th October, 01:52 2024

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Cade Yacamelli (25) gains yards after catch as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) pursues during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Wisconsin and Northwestern each will be out to maintain momentum following lopsided road victories when they meet in a Big Ten matchup Saturday in Evanston, Ill., in what has become an evenly contested series.

Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) is coming off a convincing 42-7 road win at Rutgers on Oct. 12. Northwestern (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) capitalized on four turnovers for its first conference victory with a dominant 37-10 victory at Maryland on Oct. 11.

Tawee Walker, assuming the bulk of the Badgers' rushing workload after Chez Mellusi left the team two weeks ago for health reasons, ran for a career-high 198 yards and scored three touchdowns on 24 carries.

The Badgers, who have won two straight after back-to-back losses to then-No. 4 Alabama and then-No. 13 Southern California, racked up 589 and 549 yards in their two recent victories.

Redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke completed 20 of 28 passes vs. Rutgers for 240 yards with one touchdown and one pick. Since taking over for Tyler Van Dyke, who sustained a season-ending knee injury against Alabama, Locke has completed 66 of 111 passes (59.5 percent) for 904 yards with six scores and four picks.

"We're seeing the growth in a lot of areas," Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said Monday. "I think we're really starting to envision what this complementary ball looks like that you often hear about, but it really was."

Northwestern snapped a two-game skid with the win over Maryland, despite being outgained 355-283. Jack Lausch completed 10 of 18 passes for 203 yards for the Wildcats, who managed just 80 yards on the ground.

Northwestern averages 299.5 yards per game while allowing 348.7.

"I'm excited about where this team's trending right now," Northwestern coach David Braun said Monday. "I think we saw Friday night the first time that this team found a way to find spurts of playing at a high level in all three phases all within one game. That's something that we're going to have to continue to do compete in this league."

Wisconsin and Northwestern have split the last 10 meetings. Last season, the Wildcats registered a 24-10 victory at Wisconsin. In 2022, the Badgers went into Evanston after the firing of coach Paul Chryst and posted an emotional 42-7 victory under interim coach Jim Leonhard, who was bypassed for the permanent job that went to Fickell.

--Field Level Media