Tag: Northwestern

Nov 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Aidan Laughery (21) runs for a touchdown against Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Aidan Laughery’s career day helps No. 23 Illinois run over Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aidan Laughery ran for 172 yards and three touchdowns, both career-highs, to propel No. 23 Illinois past Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The sophomore running back needed just 12 carries to orchestrate his career day and ripped off three runs of 30 or more yards, including a 64-yard touchdown scamper that put the Fighting Illini (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) ahead 21-10 early in the second half.

After the Wildcats (4-8, 2-7) pulled within 28-20 entering the fourth quarter, Laughery broke off a 31-yard run to replenish Illinois’ two-score lead.

Fighting Illini receiver Pat Bryant tied a program record with his 10th touchdown reception this season, which came after Laughery’s long scoring run in the third quarter.

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer completed 10 of 17 passes for 170 with a touchdown and two interceptions. He had an injury scare in the third quarter after taking a big hit and landing on his throwing arm. After receiving medical attention, Altmyer walked off the field and returned on the next drive.

The Wildcats used two quarterbacks in the loss, their third straight to end the season.

Jack Lausch played most snaps and threw for 287 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions on 25-of-48 passing. Before the game, head coach David Braun said freshman quarterback Ryan Boe would take snaps with the Wildcats out of bowl contention. Boe completed 4 of 13 throws for 42 yards with an interception.

Northwestern’s defense created both Illinois interceptions with outstanding individual efforts.

In the first quarter, Brendan Flakes tipped an Altmyer pass that Devin Turner caught and ran 13 yards for a touchdown that put the Wildcats ahead 10-7. The second pick also came from Turner, who sprinted across the field and timed a dive perfectly to grab an Altmyer pass in the second quarter.

Bryce Kirtz caught two passes on Northwestern’s first drive but was injured on his second reception. He exited the game with a lower-body injury and did not return. The Wildcats’ leading receiver this season finished with the two receptions for 25 yards.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) scrambles during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

No. 23 Illinois optimistic about postseason hopes, takes on Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Illinois comes in at No. 23 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and with three losses remains a long shot to make the coveted Top 12.

Still, it’s coach Bret Bielema’s experience to never say never.

As they prepare for Saturday’s game against struggling Northwestern at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, the Fighting Illini (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten) carry optimism alongside their solid resume.

Two of Illinois’ losses came in road games to CFP No. 1 Oregon and No. 4 Penn State. The outlier? An eight-point home loss to bowl-eligible Minnesota to open November.

“What we’ve got to do is take care of Saturday, but the dialogue is out there and for that I respect,” Bielema said. “We, unfortunately, have three losses on the year, but it’s happened before. I did tell our guys when it happened, it was something still in the bag of tricks.”

Speaking of tricks, the Illini relied upon some savvy to shock host Rutgers 38-31 last week. Trailing 31-30 with 14 seconds left and zero timeouts and the ball on the Scarlet Knights’ 40, Illinois appeared primed to try to improve upon a potential go-ahead field goal. Moments earlier, a missed attempt was waved off by a Rutgers timeout.

Instead, receiver Pat Bryant rerouted after catching a pass from quarterback Luke Altmyer, spotted an opening and followed it to the end zone with just 4 seconds to go.

Altmyer was 12-for-26 through the air for 249 yards and two scores.

Outside linebacker Seth Coleman’s status for the game is uncertain after the sixth-year senior was injured in the fourth quarter at Rutgers.

Northwestern continues to fade, losing four of its past five games to likely tumble out of bowl eligibility. The Wildcats (4-7, 2-6) are coming off their most lopsided defeat of the season, 50-6 at Michigan last week.

Northwestern trailed just 10-6 after Luke Akers connected on field goals of 28 and 26 yards in the second quarter, but the Wolverines scored 40 unanswered points to close out the game.

“I’m excited for our team to bounce back after a tough Saturday,” Wildcats coach David Braun said. “The product that we put on that field is not us. We have to be better. … In our last guaranteed opportunity together, we have to send this team, this group, out the right way.”

Increased development from quarterback Jack Lausch figures to go a long way to that end. A sophomore who took over for transfer Mike Wright in mid-September, Lausch is a mere 31-for-56 for 307 yards and two interceptions in the past two games — against No. 2 Ohio State and at Michigan.

Northwestern allowed nine sacks of Lausch in those contests after yielding 12 in his first seven games.

“I’ll continue to be excited to be next to Jack as he continues to compete and put this team in situations to win games,” Braun said. “It can be really easy to point out issues at quarterback when the offense is not operating at the level you want it to. … But offensive success, it’s the beauty of football; it takes all 11 (players) to function at a high level to get results.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Kalel Mullings (20) runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats in the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Michigan hammers Northwestern to become bowl eligible

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Kalel Mullings rushed for three touchdowns and Michigan scored 40 straight in a 50-6 victory over visiting Northwestern on Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Wolverines (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) became bowl eligible and won for just the second time in six games with the Senior Day victory.

Sparked by its defense, Michigan dominated after Northwestern (4-7, 2-6) pulled within four points, 10-6, late in the second quarter.

Quarterback Davis Warren connected with Colston Loveland for a 3-yard TD toss to cap an 11-play, 65-yard drive eight seconds before halftime for a 17-6 lead. The Wolverines then outscored the Wildcats 33-0 in the second half.

Michigan gained 396 yards to Northwestern’s 127 and won the first-down battle 25-8.

Warren completed 26 of 35 passes for 195 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while Mullings carried the ball 12 times for 92 of Michigan’s 201 rushing yards.

Aamir Hall put Michigan in a great position after making an interception to end Northwestern’s opening drive.

Eleven plays later, Mullings punched the ball into the end zone on a 2-yard TD run for the first score.

Dominic Zvada booted a 56-yard field goal on the Wolverines’ next possession to increase the lead to 10-0.

Northwestern responded with its own field goal – a 28-yarder by Luke Akers – after Xander Mueller picked off a pass in Michigan territory.

Both teams added to their scores in the final two minutes of the first half. Akers made another chip-shot field goal with 1:57 remaining to make it a four-point game. Warren then led the Wolverines on an 11-play, 65-yard scoring drive with eight seconds on the clock to make it 17-6 for Michigan.

The Wolverines opened the second half strong, picking up a pair of touchdown runs by Mullings for a commanding 31-6 lead.

Donovan Edwards and Tavierre Dunlap each scored 20-yard rushing touchdowns, Zvada kicked another field goal and the Wolverines notched a safety in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Jack Lausch tossed for 106 yards and two interceptions on 10-of-21 passing for Northwestern, which needed a win to remain bowl eligible.

–Field Level Media

Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) throws during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Ohio State won 31-7.

Bowl hunt top of mind for Michigan, Northwestern

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Coming off its second bye week in a transitional season, defending national champion Michigan will take another run at becoming bowl-eligible on Saturday afternoon when it takes on Northwestern in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Moving past recent struggles is the mission at Michigan (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) as the Wolverines reel from four losses in the past five games following a promising start.

“It was buy-in week,” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. “We really took it upon us to make sure that we’re all bought into the next two games, to do everything we can to get better, and really working on the fundamentals, the little things … make sure we’re all in.”

The Wolverines nearly overcame extended sluggishness in a 20-15 loss at then-No. 8 Indiana on Nov. 9, but they fell a yard short of converting a fourth-and-10 in the closing minutes to curb their comeback bid.

Michigan scored just one touchdown in three trips inside the red zone, a 1-yard scoring run from Kalel Mullings with 9:35 to play. Quarterback Davis Warren was limited to 137 yards on 16-for-32 passing while the run game gained only 69 yards on 34 carries.

Moore said there was “fire” and “energy” in practices this week after a few days off. He said the relative disappointment of the team’s current record after reaching the college football mountaintop with a perfect record (15-0) and national title last season doesn’t change the importance of playing a postseason game.

“It’s huge for the program, obviously, playing another game, getting another chance to play with your team, but building on the future. Building, getting more practices,” Moore said. “It’s like another spring ball for the young guys. It’s more football for the guys that need to keep getting better at football. So it’s huge for us, and huge for the program.”

Michigan has won seven consecutive games in the series with Northwestern.

Also in the hunt for a bowl bid, Northwestern must accomplish something it hasn’t achieved this season to reach the postseason. The Wildcats (4-6, 2-5) need to win consecutive games.

In its most recent matchup, Northwestern fell 31-7 to No. 2 Ohio State at Wrigley Field last Saturday. Quarterback Jack Lausch passed for 201 yards and rushed for 44 and Northwestern’s lone TD. But the offensive line allowed four sacks, and Lausch lost a fumble while running downfield.

Northwestern coach David Braun realizes that winning won’t be easy in Ann Arbor, where the Wolverines are 36-6-2 against the Wildcats.

“Our guys just gotta do a great job of really eliminating interference,” Braun said. “… Whether it be the crowd noise, whatever that looks like. I’m confident that our group will handle that the right way and focus on what really matters. And that’s the 60 minutes of football we gotta go play.”

–Field Level Media

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrates with tight end Gee Scott Jr. (88) after Scott scored a touchdown in the first half at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

Northwestern hopes Wrigley magic can trip No. 2 Ohio State

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With a Nov. 23 showdown against No. 5 Indiana looming, No. 2 Ohio State is determined not to look past Northwestern on Saturday.

The unique setting for the game should keep the Buckeyes (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) fully engaged despite being more than a four-touchdown favorite against the Wildcats (4-5, 2-4 Big Ten) for the game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

“It’s a different feel, but it’s a great opportunity for our team,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “And ultimately, there’ll be 100 yards of football field, and there’ll be stands on both sides and we’ll compete, so we’re excited about that.”

Ohio State remained one spot behind Oregon in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday. The Buckeyes lost a road game to the Ducks, 32-31, on Oct. 12. If both teams win out, they would play in the Big Ten title game on Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.

“Every week for us is like the playoffs right now,” Day said. “We’re fighting for a chance to get to Indianapolis. It’s always a topic of conversation, and it’s going to come down to our seniors and leaders and how they echo that message.”

The Saturday game will be the Buckeyes’ first contest at the venerable home of the Chicago Cubs. Northwestern has played there three times since 2010, including a 10-7 loss to Iowa last season.

“We benefit from the fact not only has the program been to Wrigley prior, but we were there just last year so logistically there are some things our guys are comfortable with in terms of what game day’s going to look like,” Northwestern coach David Braun said.

A major complaint about the set-up for previous games has been addressed for Saturday and Northwestern’s game on Nov. 30 against Illinois at Wrigley Field. An adjustment was made to the layout of the football field enabling sidelines to be across from each other rather than having the teams share a sideline.

“We feel really confident that this is a great setup, and having two opposite sidelines in a traditional manner is important,” Braun said.

Capacity at Wrigley Field is around 41,000, far bigger than the 12,023-seat temporary stadium that is being used this season and next while Ryan Field is being rebuilt.

Braun hopes the crowd will give the Wildcats a home-field advantage against an Ohio State team coming off its best all-around game in a 45-0 win against Purdue. The Buckeyes received solid performances from the offense and defense in addition to blocking a punt to set up the game’s first touchdown.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard threw for 260 yards and three TDs while running for a score in the victory. He has 22 touchdown passes (against five interceptions) and six scoring runs this year.

“What we’ve done leading up to this point really has nothing to do with what’s going on moving forward,” Day said. “It’s November. We want to be undefeated in November.”

Northwestern last played on Nov. 2 when the Wildcats defeated Purdue 26-20 in overtime. Joseph Himon II caught a 22-yard pass from Jack Lausch for the win after Northwestern stopped the Boilermakers on fourth down to open OT.

The Wildcats have beaten the Buckeyes once in the past 34 meetings since 1972 and have lost 10 straight in the series after a 33-27 overtime win in 2004.

“We know we’re the underdog,” Braun said. “We know not just an underdog, there’s no one out there that expects Northwestern to go in and beat Ohio State or, for that matter, compete.

“But this group believes that with a great two weeks of preparation and us showing up at our best we can make this a four-quarter battle, make it close in the fourth quarter, look up with zeros on the clock and the expectation is to expect victory.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach David Braun reacts during the third quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Northwestern, Purdue both look to move past big losses

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Northwestern coach David Braun called last week’s lopsided loss at Iowa “an embarrassing performance.”

With bowl eligibility still a mathematical possibility, the Wildcats will look to move on when they visit another struggling Big Ten team, Purdue, on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Simply moving the ball should go a long way to that end. Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) gained only 163 yards of offense against Iowa, including 43 rushing yards on 24 carries, in the 40-14 defeat.

“To run the ball and meet our standard, in some regards, we have to overachieve,” Braun said. “… Let’s get in the foxhole, let’s go attack this and find a way to get this done.”

Cam Porter (13 carries, 50 yards) was Northwestern’s top rusher. The Wildcats will stay with Jack Lausch at quarterback despite recent struggles that included a pair of interceptions at Iowa. Northwestern scored its lone touchdowns by interception and punt return.

Purdue (1-6, 0-4) enters on a six-game losing streak that continued with a 35-0 home loss to visiting No. 2 Oregon on Oct. 18. Purdue has been idle since then.

Braun was quick to note that the same Boilermakers who struggled to fend off the Ducks pushed then-No. 23 Illinois to the brink in a 50-49 overtime loss the week before the Oregon game.

“We can’t allow stats or a record to lull us to sleep,” Braun said. “That’s a very talented football team.”

Purdue passed for a mere 93 yards against the Ducks with Hudson Card still in the concussion protocol. In his second career start, Ryan Browne was 9-for-19 through the air with an interception. He added 48 rushing yards.

Reggie Love III paced the Boilermakers’ ground game with 93 yards on 11 carries as Purdue ran for 208 yards.

The bye week allowed the Boilermakers to get healthy, especially in their quarterback room. Coach Ryan Walters didn’t specify Monday who would start at QB against the Wildcats but confirmed Browne and Card both would play.

Asked about the Boilermakers’ goals for the remaining five regular-season games, Walters put it simply.

“We need to win,” he said.

That won’t be easy, given the Big Ten opponents still on the schedule — No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 13 Indiana.

The quest for bowl eligibility won’t be easy for Northwestern, either, given that it will face Ohio State, No. 24 Illinois and defending national champion Michigan after meeting Purdue.

Purdue boasts a 53-34-1 edge in the all-time series against Northwestern. The Wildcats stopped a two-game skid in the rivalry with last season’s 23-15 home win.

–Field Level Media

Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson (2) stiff arms Northwestern’s Jack Oyola (27) enroute to scoring a touchdown in the second quarter Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

After 2nd-quarter QB change, Iowa reels off 35 unanswered to rout Northwestern

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Iowa exploded for five straight touchdowns bridging halftime, three by star running back Kaleb Johnson and another on Kaden Wetjen’s 85-yard punt return, as the Hawkeyes blew out the Northwestern Wildcats 40-14 in Iowa City, Iowa, on Saturday.

Johnson, who entered the afternoon second in FBS in rushing yards with 1,035, shook off a slow start and amassed 109 yards on 14 carries. He had only 4 yards in his first seven rushes.

Brendan Sullivan replaced Cade McNamara at quarterback for Iowa early in the second quarter to provide a lift. After three straight three-and-out drives, Sullivan and the Hawkeyes engineered a 52-yard scoring drive in just 43 seconds late in the quarter to help Iowa (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) to a 12-7 lead at halftime. On third-and-1, Johnson found a hole up the middle and went 26 yards for the touchdown.

Sullivan then capped a seven-play, 78-yard drive on Iowa’s first possession of the third quarter, scoring on a 6-yard scamper. Sullivan finished with 79 yards on 9-of-14 passing and 41 yards on eight carries.

When Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) went three-and-out and punted on its first possession of the second half, Wetjen broke to the left sideline and barely managed to stay in bounds before padding the lead to 26-7.

The rout was on when Johnson scored on bursts of 41 and 25 yards inside the last five minutes of the third quarter.

None of the Wildcats’ points came from their offense. In the second quarter, Theran Johnson picked off a pass from McNamara and took it 85 yards for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead. McNamara was pulled after that interception.

In the fourth quarter, Drew Wagner dodged a cluster of defenders after catching a punt and took it 72 yards for a touchdown to make it 40-14.

Iowa, which opened the scoring with a 24-yard field goal by Drew Stevens, also got points from its stifling defense. It happened after punter Rhys Dakin pinned the Wildcats on their 6-yard line. On the next play, Hawkeyes lineman Max Llewellyn sacked quarterback Jack Lausch for a safety, cutting the deficit to 7-5.

Northwestern finished with 163 total yards, while Iowa racked up 355.

Lausch went 10-of-19 passing for 62 yards and two interceptions. Ryan Hilinski completed 5 of 8 passes for 58 yards in relief of Lausch. Cam Porter led Northwestern with 50 yards on 13 rushes.

The Wildcats have lost four of their last five games.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12) throws a pass against the Washington Huskies during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Pressure is on Iowa QB Cade McNamara vs. Northwestern

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Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said quarterback Cade McNamara “has to play better” and “has to throw the ball more accurately.”

Ferentz also said the struggling McNamara will remain the Hawkeyes’ starter as the team hosts Northwestern on Saturday afternoon in Iowa City.

Iowa (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) was blanked in the first half of a 32-20 loss at Michigan State last Saturday. McNamara passed for a meager 150 yards on an 11-for-23 day that included one touchdown and one interception.

For the season, he has three games with less than 100 yards passing and only one game with more than 200 yards, totaling just 944 yards through seven games.

Running back Kaleb Johnson helped keep the attack moving against Michigan State, gaining 98 yards on 14 carries, including a 75-yard TD.

For the moment, Johnson’s prowess figures to serve notice to the Wildcats’ defense more than anything. He leads the conference in rushing yards (1,035) – second in FBS — and touchdowns (13).

Northwestern coach David Braun said the team’s tackling suffered in spots during a 23-3 home loss to Wisconsin last week. He said that must change with Johnson up next.

“This week more than ever, it’ll be critical we play with good leverage, that we tackle well,” Braun said.

“It’s gonna take more than one to bring Kaleb down,” Braun added.

Northwestern (3-4, 1-3) struggled to sustain drives against the Badgers.

The Wildcats collected just nine first downs and were outgained 359-209. Quarterback Jack Lausch passed for 82 yards and was the team’s leader on the ground with 55 yards.

Returning leading rusher Cam Porter, who is fighting injuries, gained 48 yards on 14 carries.

“There’s no doubt for us to be at our best offensively, we’re going to have to find balance and consistently run the football,” Braun said.

The status of injured wide receiver A.J. Henning (upper body) is uncertain. Braun didn’t offer an update Monday after Henning was injured against Wisconsin. He leads the team with three receiving touchdowns, while his 357 receiving yards rank second.

The Hawkeyes lead the all-time series 53-26-3 and boast a three-game winning streak against the Wildcats.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) passes against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Wisconsin takes advantage of Northwestern mistakes for win

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Braedyn Locke passed for one score and ran another to lead visiting Wisconsin to a 23-3 victory over mistake-prone Northwestern in a Big Ten matchup on Saturday in Evanston, Ill.

Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) won its third consecutive game after back-to-back losses against ranked teams in then-No. 4 Alabama and then-No. 13 Southern California.

Northwestern (3-4, 1-3) lost a fumble inside its 5-yard line, allowed a safety, had one field goal blocked and missed another long field-goal attempt.

Locke, who became the starter after Tyler Van Dyke suffered a season-ending knee injury against Alabama, completed 14 of 24 passes for 160 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Tawee Walker ran for 126 yards on 23 carries as the Badgers had a 359-209 edge in total yards.

Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch threw for just 82 yards, completing nine of 24 passes. He also ran for a team-high 55 yards on 10 carries.

Wisconsin capitalized on a turnover just before the half for a 14-0 lead. Lausch fumbled on a sack and the Badgers recovered on the 3-yard line. On the next play, Cade Yacamelli skirted left end for the score with 43 seconds remaining.

Northwestern had a first-and-goal from 5 on their first possession of the third quarter, but a false start penalty stalled the drive, and the Wildcats settled for Luke Akers’ 26-yard field goal.

Northwestern recovered a fumble midway through the third quarter but went three-and-out. The Badgers then went 80 yards in eight plays, pushing the lead to 21-3 on Locke’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Tucker Ashcraft.

Lausch was sacked for a safety on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 23-3.

After Akers missed a 51-yard field goal in the first quarter, the Badgers responded with a 66-yard scoring drive, aided by a 15-yard facemask penalty against the Wildcats. Locke’s 8-yard TD run put Wisconsin up 7-0 early in the second quarter.

The Wildcats responded with a 65-yard drive but came away empty when Akers’ 28-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Ben Barten. Wisconsin’s next drive ended in a block of Nathanial Vakos’ 41-yard field-goal attempt by Jaiden Cameron.

It was Northwestern’s final home game at 12,000-seat Martin Stadium, normally used for soccer and lacrosse but expanded temporarily for football after Ryan Field was demolished for a stadium now under construction. The Wildcats’ two remaining home games this season against Ohio State on Nov. 16 and Illinois on Nov. 30 will be played at Wrigley Field.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Cade Yacamelli (25) gains yards after catch as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) pursues during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Wisconsin, Northwestern look to build on big wins

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Wisconsin and Northwestern each will be out to maintain momentum following lopsided road victories when they meet in a Big Ten matchup Saturday in Evanston, Ill., in what has become an evenly contested series.

Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) is coming off a convincing 42-7 road win at Rutgers on Oct. 12. Northwestern (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) capitalized on four turnovers for its first conference victory with a dominant 37-10 victory at Maryland on Oct. 11.

Tawee Walker, assuming the bulk of the Badgers’ rushing workload after Chez Mellusi left the team two weeks ago for health reasons, ran for a career-high 198 yards and scored three touchdowns on 24 carries.

The Badgers, who have won two straight after back-to-back losses to then-No. 4 Alabama and then-No. 13 Southern California, racked up 589 and 549 yards in their two recent victories.

Redshirt sophomore Braedyn Locke completed 20 of 28 passes vs. Rutgers for 240 yards with one touchdown and one pick. Since taking over for Tyler Van Dyke, who sustained a season-ending knee injury against Alabama, Locke has completed 66 of 111 passes (59.5 percent) for 904 yards with six scores and four picks.

“We’re seeing the growth in a lot of areas,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said Monday. “I think we’re really starting to envision what this complementary ball looks like that you often hear about, but it really was.”

Northwestern snapped a two-game skid with the win over Maryland, despite being outgained 355-283. Jack Lausch completed 10 of 18 passes for 203 yards for the Wildcats, who managed just 80 yards on the ground.

Northwestern averages 299.5 yards per game while allowing 348.7.

“I’m excited about where this team’s trending right now,” Northwestern coach David Braun said Monday. “I think we saw Friday night the first time that this team found a way to find spurts of playing at a high level in all three phases all within one game. That’s something that we’re going to have to continue to do compete in this league.”

Wisconsin and Northwestern have split the last 10 meetings. Last season, the Wildcats registered a 24-10 victory at Wisconsin. In 2022, the Badgers went into Evanston after the firing of coach Paul Chryst and posted an emotional 42-7 victory under interim coach Jim Leonhard, who was bypassed for the permanent job that went to Fickell.

–Field Level Media