Defense carries Wisconsin Badgers to 27-7 win over No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes

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MADISON, Wis. — Graham Mertz scored on two quarterback sneaks and threw a touchdown pass to support Wisconsin trounce No. 9 Iowa 27-7 on Saturday for its fourth consecutive victory.

Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2 Large Ten) compelled a few turnovers, manufactured six sacks and limited Iowa to 24 yards speeding on 30 carries. The Badgers managed regulate of their future in the Large 10 West Division race and regained possession of the Heartland Trophy that goes to the winner of this once-a-year matchup.

Iowa (6-2, 3-2) has been outscored 51-14 in its earlier two video games after being ranked second in the country just a pair of months back. This was the Hawkeyes’ initial recreation because a 24-7 residence decline to Purdue on Oct. 16.

Iowa’s web yardage whole didn’t get into optimistic territory for great till midway through the next quarter when the Hawkeyes currently trailed 17-. Iowa didn’t choose up a initially down right until just 1:15 remained in the 2nd quarter.

Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen rushed for 104 yards on 20 attempts The 17-yr-old freshman has operate for above 100 yards in 4 straight online games soon after totaling just 12 carries in Wisconsin’s 1st 4 video games.

The Badgers designed a 20- halftime guide as Iowa fumbled a few occasions inside of its own 20-lawn line in the 2nd quarter, foremost to 10 details for the Badgers. Iowa was rated 3rd and Wisconsin tied for 124th among all Football Bowl Subdivision groups in turnover margin prior to Saturday’s match.

Iowa obtained back again in the video game early in the 3rd quarter as Spencer Petras scored from 1 property out on a quarterback sneak. Iowa sophisticated to Wisconsin territory on its upcoming possession, but Scott Nelson and Jack Sanborn stopped fullback Monte Pottebaum for no attain on fourth-and-1 from the 40.

Wisconsin’s next possession culminated with Mertz’s next 1-property landing run, offering the Badgers a 27-7 edge with 12:54 still left.

Mertz went 11-of-22 for 104 yards. He threw a 4-yard touchdown go to tight conclusion Jake Ferguson late in the first quarter to place Wisconsin forward for superior.

Wisconsin previously led 10- before Iowa dug itself a further gap with its flurry of turnovers.

The initial came when Nick Herbig sacked Petras and forced a fumble that Keeanu Benton recovered at the Iowa 8. Iowa’s defense responded with a aim-line stand as Seth Benson and Jack Campbell stuffed fullback John Chenal on fourth-and-target from the 1.

Iowa gave the ball correct again as Ivory Kelly-Martin mishandled a handoff and Noah Burks recovered the fumble at the 1. A single perform later on, Mertz scored.

Later in the 2nd quarter, Iowa fumbled once again when punt returner Max Cooper experienced the ball bounce off his upper body. Wisconsin’s Travian Blaylock recovered at the 18 to established up Collin Larsh’s 32-property area objective.

Scary personal injury

Wisconsin restricted conclude Clay Cundiff was carted off the subject in an ambulance with his leg in an air cast just after he acquired hurt in the closing seconds of the 3rd quarter. His teammates gathered around him to give assist just before the ambulance took him absent.

Cundiff gave a thumbs-up to a cheering crowd as he went into the ambulance.

The takeaway

Iowa: The Hawkeyes basically never have adequate firepower on offense to endure the mistakes they made in the 2nd quarter. Iowa would have dropped by an even larger margin if the Hawkeyes hadn’t played this sort of sturdy red zone defense.

Wisconsin: A defense that has been outstanding all yr is greater than ever now that the Badgers are forcing turnovers. Just after obtaining just four takeaways in its initially 6 online games, Wisconsin has eight in its earlier two game titles. … The Badgers were lacking normal commencing remaining guard Josh Seltzner. Michael Furtney commenced in his spot.

Poll implications

Iowa definitely will fall out of the best 10 and could plunge all the way into the 20s right after a second straight decline.