The Wisconsin Badgers(3-3, 1-2) defeated the Northwestern Wildcats(1-5, 1-2) 42-7 in a conference beatdown, gaining 515 yards offensively and delivering a strong performance on both sides of the ball in Jim Leonhard’s head coaching debut.
The Badgers started the game firing on all cylinders, as Graham Mertz was involved in a first-down dropback and a play-action from the jump.
A combination of Mertz throws with a 33-yard Braelon Allen carry led the Badgers into Northwestern territory, but the junior quarterback missed two potential touchdowns on consecutive throws.
On a field goal attempt inside the redzone, kicker Nate Van Zelst shanked the kick, leaving the Badgers with no points, despite a strong 11-play, 66-yard opening drive off a well-scripted game plan from offensive coordinator Bobby Engram.