Updated 11:52 p.m. ET: Remember how Wisconsin looked more like its (recently) old self in the first half of tonight’s game against No. 22 Nebraska?
Yeah, about that.
The Huskers stormed back from 17 points down to score 20 unanswered points on its way to a 30-27 win over the Badgers. Nebraska’s defense did a much better job on Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave and kept the Badgers running game from ever getting a full head of steam.
Taylor Martinez accounted for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns in the win and continues to be one of the most improved players in the Big Ten this season.
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Through four games this season, Wisconsin looked nothing like a 3-1 football team, or like a traditional Wisconsin team for that matter. The Badgers haven’t been able to run the ball consistently, which only further made the lack of a passing that much more glaring.
At least part of that has changed against No. 22 Nebraska.
Aided by a Rex Burkhead fumble, Wisconsin has jumped out to a 20-10 halftime lead over the Huskers. While the Badgers running game is still trying to get going, quarterback Joel Stave has had a solid first half. He’s getting a lot of help from his receivers, too. Jared Abbrederis has over 100 receiving yards already.
The Huskers were able to claw back into it with a late Burkhead score, but this first half has mostly belonged to Wisconsin. From a fired O-line coach to the benching of starting quarterback Danny O’Brien, not much has gone right for Bret Bielema‘s team this season. Getting a road win tonight against a top-25 team would be a nice place to start a turnaround.