After a convincing opening drive from the Oregon Ducks in which they drove 75 yards down the field for a touchdown, the Badgers appeared to be on their heels. A 95-yard touchdown kick return from Aron Cruickshank and an interception by Jack Sanborn flipped that narrative around in just a few minutes.
Even as the Badgers failed to advance the ball in their opening two drives, they found themselves with a 10-7 lead entering the second quarter. Jonathan Taylor began to find a rhythm as the contest progressed but multiple holding and false start penalties stamped out any offensive progress the Badgers were able to make.