Game ball goes to: Tyler Donovan, QB,
Wisconsin
In his final game before the Camp Randall faithful, senior
quarterback Tyler Donovan was simply dazzling. He completed 14 of 27 passes for
245 yards and a touchdown and added a season-best 49 yards and a score on the
ground.
His ability to create on the run helped keep the aggressive
Michigan defense on its heels. It also allowed Wisconsin to build a 17-0 lead
before the feisty Wolverines could get going.
In spite of taking a brutal hit to his throwing hand when it
collided with Obi Ezeh's helmet on a follow-through, Donovan said he could have
gone another four quarters if the situation required.
Overall: A
All facets of the game contributed mightily to Wisconsin's
decisive 37-21 victory over Michigan.
The Badgers had their way on offense, amassing 477 total
yards and 237 on the ground despite the absence, minus a few snaps, of P.J.
Hill. They also controlled the ball for nearly two-thirds of the game.
Defensively, Wisconsin forced more than three turnovers; it
induced Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett to throw off-balance and off the mark
25 times.
On special teams Taylor Mehlhaff made all three of his field
goal tries. Between Mehlhaff and punter Ken DeBauche, Michigan was pinned at or
inside its own 20-yard line 11 times.
Offense: A
It's hard to go wrong here when just about everything went
right. Tyler Donovan had his best performance of the season (turnover free), as
did receiver Paul Hubbard and running back Zach Brown.
Donovan avoided would-be sacks with elusive spins and fleet
feet and also added a dimension not yet seen this season to his game: He passed
on the run.
Hubbard finished with 134 yards on seven receptions,
including some key third-down receptions to keep the chains moving, while Brown
capped a career day rushing (108 yards) with two touchdowns to put the game
away.
Defense: A-
Staked to a 17-point lead and not having to face Mike Hart,
the Wisconsin defense shut down Michigan's rushing attack and forced freshman
Ryan Mallett to try to win the game with his arm.
Mallett finished 11-of-36 with two interceptions largely
because of the pressure the Badgers front four was putting on him and the
coverage by the secondary.
The only real chinks in the armor were a 97-yard touchdown
pass from Mallett to Mario Manningham when Shane Carter got caught biting a bit
too hard and a 26-yard score to Adrian Arrington.
Other than those plays, Wisconsin kept Michigan in front of
it and stuffed the Wolverines repeatedly.
Special Teams: A-
Given that Wisconsin did essentially nothing wrong on
special teams (aside from a fumble when the ball hit off Josh Nettles'
shoulder, who was back in coverage of a punt), it makes the grade.
Senior kicker Taylor Mehlhaff picked up four more touchbacks
in his final home game and Ken DeBauche averaged 45 yards per punt to help set
up Michigan inside its own 20-yard line four times.
The return game, although not spectacular, did a decent job
in that there were no fumbles or penalties. David Gilreath averaged 25.3 yards
per return and fullback Bill Rentmeester even brought one back 24 yards.
Up Next: Minnesota Gophers (1-10, 0-7 Big
Ten)
Arguably the worst team in major division college football,
and certainly the worst at defense, the Minnesota Gophers meet Wisconsin for
the 117th time in the Battle of the Axe.
Last weekend the Gophers played tight with the Hawkeyes,
losing 21-16. But redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Weber threw another
interception. He now leads the Big Ten with 17 this season.
Facing an improved offense in Wisconsin, Minnesota's
seniors could very well be in for a game and season to forget.
