In a game where the Wisconsin football team rushed for a total of -26 yards, they were never out of the game. However, in the end, they could not take advantage of the opportunities presented to them and suffered an ugly, heartbreaking 13-7 defeat to Northwestern Saturday.

In the first half, the Badgers could get absolutely nothing going offensively, totaling just 50 yards on 28 plays. They never came close to finding the end zone, yet strong defensive play kept them in the game as they headed to the locker room down 10-0.

UW was ultimately able to find the end zone in the first half, as tailback Corey Clement scampered into the end zone from nine yards out, bringing the Badgers to within three.

Just two minutes later, Wisconsin had forced Northwestern into another punt. Wide receiver Alex Erickson grabbed the ball off a bounce and broke a pair of tackles before running it 66 yards in the end zone. Seven minutes into the third quarter, and the Badgers had the lead.

Or so they thought.

Turning point

While Camp Randall erupted, a sad reality came over the fans and the team, as the officials ruled that since Erickson crossed his arms to waive off his teammates from touching the ball, that the play was dead, and the touchdown was called back.

Erickson said after the game that he knew that was the rule, but he never heard a whistle and just kept running. The play ended up costing Wisconsin, as they only made it 11 yards on the ensuing drive before having to punt and they never were able to find the end zone for the remainder of the game.

When you knew it was over

Despite the abysmal offensive performance, the Badgers still had one final play to win the game. Following a sack where quarterback Joel Stave was hit hard and too disoriented to even stand straight, tailback Dare Ogunbowale took initiative to spike the ball, leaving UW with six seconds and one last play.

Backup Bart Houston had to come into the game the play, but threw a low, incomplete pass intended for Tanner McEvoy. The play resulted in a turnover on downs, and one Northwestern kneel sealed the deal.

Wisconsin player of the game

Senior outside linebacker Joe Schobert was dominant in his final game on the Camp Randall field. He finished with a season-high 13 tackles and three tackles for a loss as he and his fellow linebackers led what may have been the strongest defensive effort from the Badgers all season.

Northwestern player of the game

Northwestern only needed one touchdown for them to win this game, and running back Justin Jackson gave them that score. The Wildcats rode their lead back all game, as he rushed 35 times for 140 yards, including a 32-yard run up the sideline. On a day where Northwestern’s passing attack was limited to just nine completions for 60 yards, Jackson gave them life and just enough to leave with a huge road victory.

Quotable

McEvoy on the emotional ending to the game:

“It’s heartbreaking to lose like that but we still had an opportunity to win the game on the last play and we didn’t capitalize. So even with all the stuff going on with the calls and the controversies, we still had an opportunity. We still had the ball in our hands to make the play and we didn’t do it.”

Chryst on what the plan was for Clement’s usage:

“Didn’t have a clue of what to expect. With Corey, it’s week-to-week whether he would even play and then it’s warm ups and how he’s feeling. I thought he did some good things. He was patient.”

Schobert on Peavy’s non-catch:

“That rule, the catch rule, the Calvin Johnson rule, whatever you want to call it; I don’t get how your guy can catch the ball, take three steps and then get pushed to the ground and then it can’t be a catch. If that was in the middle of the field, it would have to be a completion and fumble or something like that.”

Clement on the seniors’ final game at Camp Randall:

“It sucks. After the game everyone and our seniors were just down. Everyone wants to do their best and I want them to leave with the best memory possible so that you can look back on it. Obviously next year when it’s my time I don’t want my last game at Camp Randall to be a loss.”