pfunk880's Wisconsin Badgers (NCAAF)

[pfunk880]

#20 Nebraska upset #2 Texas, so the Badgers moved up from #4 to #3 in this week's rankings. USC and Michigan are the two teams ahead of UW.

The Badgers have a bye this week before going on the road to face rival Minnesota.

[pfunk880]

Hawaii took down UCLA in week 10 to move back to .500 (4-4 overall, 3-3 Pac-10).

In week 11, Wisconsin overcame three turnovers and stopped Minnesota on fourth down with a 23-17 lead and 1:30 to go. A long touchdown catch and run by Joseph Holloway and a two-point conversion provided the Badgers with a hard-fought 31-17 road win. Third-ranked UW (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) fumbled and threw a pick in Minnesota territory, and then in the fourth, they were picked again at midfield while trying to run clock with a six-point lead. The Badgers led 13-10 at half and were in control for most of the second half as they built a 23-10 lead before things got tense late. Ryan Rivers recorded his first career 100-yard rushing performance, and Holloway added a punt return score to his receiving score.

Next up for the Badgers is Michigan State, followed by Iowa to close Big Ten play and then Utah.

[pfunk880]

Hawaii lost by 20 to #24 Cal in week 11 to drop back under .500.

Meanwhile, #2 Michigan was knocked off by Miami, which meant the Badgers moved into the number two spot behind USC. Wisconsin also signed four five-star recruits in week 11, quadrupling their total from the previous five seasons combined.

In week 12, the Badgers played like the #2 team in the nation. At home against Michigan State, they built a 31-3 halftime lead and pulled the starters when it reached 41-3 in the third. Michigan State didn't reach the endzone until the final two minutes, scoring a meaningless touchdown for a 48-10 final. The Badgers (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) host Iowa in the conference finale. A win will clinch at least a share of the conference title, and a loss by Michigan against Ohio State would give UW the outright title.

Hawaii beat Stanford in week 12 to improve to 5-5 overall (4-4 Pac-10). They finish Pac-10 play at Washington this week and then finish the year against Washington State, the team that they swapped with when they changed conferences.

[pfunk880]

In a game that words cannot do justice, #2 Wisconsin prevailed by a score of 62-52 over rival Iowa to clinch at least a share of the Big Ten title.

The Badgers (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) dug an early 14-0 hole, and that was just the beginning. UW came back with 24 second-quarter points and took their first lead on a field goal to end the half. The Badgers took a 27-24 lead to the locker room, but Iowa recaptured the lead in the third.

Down 38-34, Joseph Holloway lost a fumble, and the Hawkeyes capitalized with a touchdown to go up 11 late in the third. However, the Badgers rallied to take a 48-45 lead. Iowa answered back to go up 52-48, but Holloway took a screen pass to the house to put Wisconsin up for good. He added a second touchdown in the closing minutes to ice the victory.

The teams rewrote the record books in this one:

• Iowa set a new team record for passing yards in a game.
• Wisconsin QB Shaun Brown set three records: most TD passes in a season (33, breaks Curt Phillips's mark of 30 from 2010), most TD passes in a career (61, previous record 59), and most passing yards in a season (over 2900, breaks Dustin Sherer's record of 2771 from 2009).
• Holloway set two more team records: most receptions in a game (14), and most receiving yards in a game (313). He had four touchdowns through the air and also added 200 return yards and a score. If he averages about 150 yards per game in the final two games this year, he will also set the school record for career receiving yards.

The Badgers will now wait and see if they are Big Ten co-champions or if they are the sole champs. Next week, the Badgers take on Utah at home, looking to conclude a perfect regular season.

[pfunk880]

Hawaii was upset 38-14 by Washington in the Pac-10 finale.

USC lost to Arizona State, so Wisconsin is now at the top of the rankings. 11-0 San Diego State is currently second.

Joseph Holloway's huge game lofted the WR to number one in the Heisman race.

[pfunk880]

Hawaii beat Washington to finish 6-6 and become bowl-eligible.

#1 Wisconsin overcame five interceptions and a 31-21 deficit in the final two minutes to finish an undefeated regular season. The Badgers scored a touchdown, recovered an onside kick, and scored again with 11 seconds to go to pull out a 35-31 win and reach their first Citi BCS National Championship Game. This year's game is in Pasadena, and Wisconsin's opponent is 12-0 San Diego State. Shaun Brown threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, and he ran for two more.

The Badgers also took home some hardware. Joseph Holloway, who had over 3000 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns, dominated the Heisman voting. He also took home Returner of the Year. Senior cornerback Jesse Hall won the Thorpe Award, as he had six picks and three touchdowns. He was also excellent on kickoff and punt coverage, and he recovered the key onside kick against Utah. Thorpe continues Wisconsin's tradition of Thorpe winners, going back to Mario Goins back in 2008.

The Badgers and Aztecs are set to meet on January 8, 2014 in Pasadena. Hawaii was invited to the Las Vegas Bowl, where they will take on 8-4 Utah.

[pfunk880]

Badgers won the National Championship 49-42, overcoming a 14-0 early deficit.

[pfunk880]

Holloway actually came back for one more year.

The Badgers start the year ranked #1 with a strong defense, a good running game, and good receivers. However, senior Youdlain Malone represents a large drop-off at quarterback. Wisconsin opened the year at Ball State, and Malone was just 6-9 for 130 yards with three touchdowns and two picks, but Ryan Rivers carried UW with 142 rushing yards in a 24-17 win. The game came down to the last play, as the Badgers knocked down a pass in the end zone as time expired.

[pfunk880]

Badgers dominated Utah 31-14 to move to 2-0. Wisconsin ran the ball 45 times as a team and threw just 10 (after 30 rushes and 9 passes in week one). Quarterback Youdlain Malone led the Badgers with 106 yards and a score on 19 attempts (he was also 9-10 for 114 yards and a touchdown through the air). Redshirt freshman Chris Cox added 56 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown, while Ryan Rivers had ten attempts for 31 yards and a score. Rivers sat on the bench for much of the second quarter and beyond after fumbling in the red zone for the second straight game.

Hawaii opens the season against an FCS opponent this week before playing in Madison next week.

[robcoop]

So, you always mention Hawaii. Are you controlling that team too? Also, what season year?