In the first Big Ten vs. SEC battle of the day, No. 19 Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall has been the more efficient of the two quarterbacks on the field through one half of play in the Outback Bowl. A 66-yard bomb to Ricardo Louis midway through the second quarter gave the Tigers a 14-7 advantage on the Badgers. Auburn holds that 14-7 lead at the half. The Tigers also have Will Muschamp helping out with the defense with the new defensive coordinator in the coaches box with a headset. The Tigers have forced a pair of turnovers.
Marshall has thrown for 131 yards, with roughly half of that yardage coming on the long touchdown run. He has also shown some good strength in avoiding a sack and has been fortunate to avoid having a turnover.
Wisconsin has turned the football over twice, including one interception inside the red zone late in the first half. Joel Stave has been intercepted twice in the game, while completing 7 of 13 passes for just 68 yards and a touchdown. It was a good start from Stave as he ended the game’s opening possession with a touchdown pass to Corey Clement for a 7-0 lead, but it has been rocky since.
The Badgers have put Heisman Trophy runner-up Melvin Gordon to work, with 15 carries for 81 yards, but Clement has had a role as well with interim head coach Barry Alvarez calling the shots. Clement has added 53 rushing yards.
Wisconsin’s starting center, Dan Voltz, was carted off the field late in the first quarter with what looked to be an ankle injury. He is out for the remainder of the game.