Consider Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson’s Heisman campaign officially underway. On a grand stage that included a prime time audience and a pair of top-10 teams in what was one of the most-anticipated home games in Wisconsin football history, the Badgers’ graduate transfer quarterback put on a memorable performance.
Wilson threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a third to lead No. 7 Wisconsin to a 48-17 victory over No. 8Nebraska to spoil the Cornhuskers’ Big Ten debut.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound signal caller was at his best in the second quarter when the game was effectively decided. It was then that the Badgers started to pull away by turning two Taylor Martinez interceptions into 14 points as part of a 20-point quarter that turned a 14-7 deficit into a 27-14 halftime lead. During the three scoring drives, Wilson was a combined9-for-12 for 190 yards and a pair of touchdown passes.
With their two-touchdown lead, the Badgers picked off Martinez a third time on the first play from scrimmage of the second half. On the ensuing possession, Wilson did not have to take center stage as the Badgers played smash-mouth football, running Montee Ball and James White into the teeth of the Nebraska defense. At least that was the script went until Wilson again acquired the spotlight with a 10-yard touchdown run to give his team a resounding 34-14 advantage.
From there, with the Cornhuskers desperate to get back into the game, a daunting Wisconsin defense was able to pin its ears back and go for broke. The result was holding Big Red to a mere field goal in what was anti-climactic second half – anti-climactic in very large part to Wilson cashing in when the game could still go either way.
This was not UNLV, a slumping Oregon State, Northern Illinois, or South Dakota of the FCS. No sir, this was Nebraska. That is why Wilson has to be at or near the top of the Heisman favorites list as the leaves start to turn in Madison.
True, Wisconsin’s remaining schedule is far from daunting what with their position in the Big Ten’s Leaders Division, which may hurt Wilson’s Heisman hopes a bit. But if the Badgers run the table with Wilson continuing to post impressive numbers, then it is hard to imagine the argument going against him.
A lot of football has yet to be played and while Nebraska and Wisconsin may meet again in Decemeber in the inaugural Big Ten title game, this Saturday night belonged to No. 16 and the Badgers in statement-like fashion. That is something that cannot be debated.
Wilson is a phenominal talent.
Great win Badgers – showed that Nebraska has a further to go than hoped. It was close until… Martinez brains fell out…
Martinez was truly the game changer in this matchup… in a very negative way. Two steps backwards sir.
If Russell Wilson were four inches taller, he’d be a first round lock in the NFL draft.
And I was telling people during the season…..look out for Wisconsin. They’re gonna contend for a title.
What no comments about the Dan Persa for Heisman billboards Northwestern put up next to ESPN’s HQ’s in CT? I mean come on surely a guy that will only play in 6-7 games this year has it locked down.
I still think that QB from Oklahoma, will be in the top 3 at the end of the year in voting.
Wisconsin has a really good and balanced team. It is good to see this. Great fans there that are not rabid but informed and generally sober…at most games. Really great to see this.
@trbowman – that sounds nice and I believe they’d contend well…. but they’ll need a lot of help to content for a NatChamp title.
Our Big Ten just isn’t good enough at this point and time to provide the same volume of quality wins that LSU, Alabama, and Oklahoma will have. Several of those teams would have to lose… don’t think they’ll get the op.
Painful to say, but true.
Wilson has a long way to go. Denard Robinson will have something to say about it also. I was wondering why Wi would keep Wilson in the whole game when they were way ahead. So its about showcasing Wilson and the Heisman. Robinson only have 169 yds in offence yesterday and two touch downs. Oh, that was the first half. He barely played in the second.
Nebraska – Welcome to the big 10.
Wisconsin – Let’s hope you represent the big 10 better than you did in last years bowl game against the horned frogs.
Wilson is definitely a candidate, so is Robert Griffin of Baylor if he keeps playing this well. There is a wealth of QB talent in the NCAA this year