Game ball goes to: WR Kyle Jefferson (career highs of six catches for 124 yards, long reception of 33 yards)
Jefferson was the lone bright spot for the Badgers Saturday. The lanky freshman routinely beat Penn State's coverage to get open down the field. For the second straight week, he gave quarterback Tyler Donovan someone to look for on deep routes.
He has also shown an ability to take big hits and hang on to the ball.
Overall: D-
Quite simply, Wisconsin was thoroughly beaten in every aspect of the game. Penn State took control from the opening possession, and by the end of the first quarter, the result of the game was never really in question.
When the Nittany Lions wanted to run the ball, they could. When they wanted to pass the ball, they could.
On the flip side, Wisconsin had a hard time doing much of anything to move the ball against Penn State's defense.
The Badgers have now lost two in a row for the first time since the 2005 season, when they lost consecutive games at Northwestern and in Madison against Iowa.
Offense: D
The Wisconsin offense set the tone for the game on its very first snap. P.J. Hill's fumble and the ensuing recovery by Penn State linebacker Sean Lee left the Badgers in an offensive rut they never could climb out of.
Quarterback Tyler Donovan was hit often and hard and got up slowly several times after delivering passes. Donovan threw two interceptions — only one was his fault, as the other was a catchable ball which bounced off receiver David Gilreath's hands to PSU's Anthony Scirrotto — and telegraphed many other throws.
The saving grace here is P.J. Hill's touchdown run and Jefferson's 124 yards receiving.
Defense: F
Penn State had its way offensively.
Had it not been for the huge lead the Nittany Lions ran up at halftime — leading to the PSU offense running the ball on 31 of 42 plays in the second half — Penn State likely would have been able to put up a lot more than 38 points.
Cornerback Allen Langford was beaten several times again and was replaced for stretches in the second half by freshman Aaron Henry.
If there was a bright spot for the defense, it was that the tackling woes that plagued the Badgers the last few weeks seemed to be tightened up.
Special teams: C-
Ken DeBauche punted the ball well Saturday, averaging nearly 44 yards for six punts. He downed two inside the 20-yard line and had another possible great punt roll into the end zone when the coverage team couldn't locate the ball in time.
Kicker Taylor Mehlhaff missed his only attempt of the day and only hit one touchback.
The punt coverage team had some bad luck when Daven Jones caused a fumble after what appeared to be a beautifully timed hit on returner Derrick Williams, but was whistled for kick-catch interference.
Punt returner David Gilreath muffed a punt in the second half, but UW was able to recover it. He was replaced later in the game by Marcus Randle El.
Up next for the Badgers: Northern Illinois (1-6, 0-4 MAC)
Northern Illinois lost 17-13 in a heartbreaker to Western Michigan Saturday. The Huskies have struggled this year to replace the loss of former standout running back Garrett Wolfe, whose eligibility expired following last season.
The Huskies are lead on offense by redshirt sophomore Justin Anderson, who rushed for 132 yards Saturday.
Northern Illinois' only win on the season came in a 42-35 shootout on the road against Idaho.
