The Wisconsin Badgers exhibited a valuable characteristic of any successful team Saturday afternoon: perseverance. Following first half injuries to star tight end Lance Kendricks, running back James White and center Peter Konz, the Badgers displayed their depth en route to defeating the Hawkeyes 31-30 in front of a rowdy crowd in Iowa City. The victory allowed the Badgers to take back the coveted Heartland Trophy, presented annually to the winner of the Iowa-Wisconsin game. This game marked the first time the visiting squad has won the prize since 2007.
The win also gave Bret Bielema consecutive signature wins over quality Big Ten opponents. Iowa entered the game with only one loss against Arizona and boasted a No. 15 ranking. Saturday’s contest was billed as a showdown in the trenches, with Iowa’s defensive front four, led by projected NFL first-rounder Adrian Clayborn versus the talented offensive line of the Badgers. The matchup lived up to its hype, with neither side gaining a distinct advantage in that area.
In fact, it was the Hawkeye’s offensive line that was most impressive. The Badgers were consistently unable to pressure Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi, allowing him to throw for 258 yards and three scores.
While Stanzi may have won the individual quarterback battle, it was Wisconsin senior Scott Tolzien whose steady play contributed to the win. He turned in yet another consistent and accurate performance, completing 20 of 26 passes for 205 yards and a score. Tolzien remains in the top five in the country in completion percentage, connecting on over 70 percent of his passes for the season.
Wisconsin, ranked thirteenth in the BCS standings, was paced by standout junior John Clay’s 91 rushing yards on 24 carries. Clay, who has powered the offense all year, also delivered with two touchdowns, bringing his season total to 13. With White out of the game early in the second quarter due to an apparent leg injury, the Badgers were left without their speediest, most dynamic rusher.
Stepping up in his absence was last season’s number two rusher, Montee Ball. While he carried the ball just three times, his final carry was probably the most important play of the game. With just over a minute remaining in the final period, Ball took it to the end one from eight yards out, barreling through several Hawkeye defenders on the way. Ball’s carry epitomized the Badgers’ hard-nosed, bruising rushing attack that has been the foundation of their offense all season.
The Badgers successfully controlled the time of possession battle, compiling four drives of at least five minutes, including a grueling, 8:09 drive to open the game that ended with a 33-yard Phillip Welch field goal. Iowa responded with a touchdown run from Adam Robinson, his only score of the day. However, Wisconsin standout defensive end J.J. Watt broke through the line and blocked the ensuing point after attempt, a miscue that proved to be very costly for the Hawkeyes.
In addition to the injuries to Kendricks, White and Konz, the Badgers played the entire game without last week’s leading receiver, Nick Toon, who suffered a deep thigh bruise in the Ohio State game. Prior to departing with an ankle injury, Kendricks caught two passes for 26 yards. Following the injury, suffered while blocking on a kickoff return, he was seen riding a stationary bike and pacing on the sidelines but never returned to game action. Backup tight ends Jacob Pederson and Jake Byrne stepped up in Kendricks’ absence, catching a combined four balls for 42 yards. Byrne’s pair of receptions were the first two of his career.
The second quarter featured touchdown passes from both quarterbacks. Tolzien found fullback Bradie Ewing for a seven-yard score early in the period. Then, with just under two minutes remaining in the half, Stanzi directed a nine-play drive, culminating with a three-yard touchdown toss to tight end Allen Reisner. Wisconsin got the ball back and Welch missed an unfeasible 67-yard field goal as time expired, leaving the halftime score at 13-10 in favor of the home team.
Wisconsin opened the second half scoring with another extensive drive highlighted by Clay’s first of two touchdowns on the day. Following two Ricky Stanzi touchdown passes and another Clay rushing touchdown, Iowa led 27-24 with ten minutes to play. Wisconsin assumed possession and Tolzien made his lone mistake of the day, throwing an interception into heavy coverage on the first play of the drive.
Trailing 30-24 with slightly more than eight minutes remaining, the Badgers executed a clock-devouring, fifteen-play drive, ultimately leading to Ball’s punishing touchdown run. Down 31-30, Iowa had a chance to win the game with 1:06 left but failed to manage the clock effectively, allowing the Badgers to escape with the victory.
The win is a momentous one for Badgers, who have a bye over the Halloween weekend, in their quest for a Big Ten title. The victory elevated their ranking in the BCS standings to tenth, and with four games remaining, all against currently unranked opponents, the Badgers have a good opportunity to win out.