It’s a big deal to beat the Wisconsin Badgers anytime, but to beat them on the road in Camp Randall Stadium in front of 80,000+ fans where over the last ten years they have the fourth best winning percentage in the FBS behind only Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson is a huge deal. This past Saturday that’s exactly what Head Coach Jake Dickert and his Washington State Cougars did by a score of 17-14, ironic considering that they were exactly a 17 point underdog coming in. What a homecoming for Dickert who was born just 65 miles east of the stadium in Waukesha and had, according to the AP Recap for ESPN , “about 200 friends and relatives gathered for a pregame tailgate.”
Without the penalties and missed field goals the Badger’s should have been able to win this one as the Cougars didn’t exactly set the world on fire. Washington State Sophomore Cameron Ward connected on 17-of-28 for 200 yards, 1 TD, and 2 interceptions while on the ground they averaged less than 2.5 yards per carry rushing 22 times for just 53 yards and a score. The Badgers outpaced them in first downs, 22-to-10; rushing yards, 174-to-53; and total yards, 401 against 253. In addition, Wisconsin led in time-of-possession by almost 16 minutes. The oher category Wisconsin led in was penalties, getting flagged 11 times for 106 yards. Junior QB Graham Mertz was 18-of-31 for the Badgers with 2 TD’s and 1 pick while they rushed 44 times for 174 yards. Neither team scored in the 1st Qtr and Wisconsin was up 14-7 at the half. But the Cougars came back in the 3rd with 10 points to go up 17-14 where the score stayed as the 4th Qtr was scoreless, just like the 1st.
With an interception-turned fumble leading to the Cougar’s go ahead score Wisconsin Head Coach commented after the game that; “We did some things today that make it hard to win.” The AP described it like this; “The Cougars trailed 14-10 and had third and 10 from their 47 when quarterback Cameron Ward was hit by Kamo’i Latu just as he threw a pass that Wisconsin’s Jay Shaw picked off. Washington State receiver Lincoln Victor then applied a hit that knocked the ball loose, and center Konner Gomness recovered the fumble at the Wisconsin 49. Six plays later, Watson caught a pass just beyond the line of scrimmage, made a spin move to get past Latu at the 30 and raced untouched the rest of the way.”
Washington State heads back to the Palouse to take on what should be easier fare in Colorado State next Saturday.