Wisconsin took a 10-6 lead over No. 1 Oregon into halftime on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium after a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Braedyn Locke to receiver Will Pauling with 25 seconds left in the first half.
The Badgers (5-4) held the Ducks (10-0) in check for most of the first half, including a red-zone interception early to keep Oregon out of the end zone. But Wisconsin struggled to mount much offense until late in the first half. On first-and-20 at his 41, Locke connected with receiver Vinny Anthony II down the left sideline for a 43-yard strike to the Oregon 16. Four plays later, Locke completed a short pass to Pauling for the half’s only touchdown.
Locke 👉 Pauling 🔥@BadgerFootball takes the lead against the No. 1 Ducks 👀#B1GFootball on NBC 📺 pic.twitter.com/G1GPQOfxFk
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 17, 2024
Wisconsin is 4-16 all-time against AP No. 1 teams, actually winning its last game against a top-ranked team in 2010 against Ohio State.
Oregon entered the night with a 99 percent chance to make the College Football Playoff, according to The Athletic’s projections model. The Ducks are 7-0 in the Big Ten, tied for first with Indiana and a game ahead of Ohio State and Penn State.
Wisconsin’s defense steps up
The first boos began to rain across Camp Randall Stadium 10 minutes into the game after fans watched Wisconsin’s offense go three-and-out on its first three drives for a total of minus-3 yards. But the defense didn’t allow the game to get away from the Badgers early, forcing two field goals and an interception in one of the best halves they’ve played all season.
That gave Wisconsin the opening it needed to take the lead with 25 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Locke completed just 7 of 17 passes for 64 yards in the first half, but he gave the stadium life with the big play to Anthony down the left sideline and then the short touchdown pass to Pauling.
“They get the ball first, so we got to make sure we come out and play better in the second half,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell told NBC. “We’ve got to create some turnovers.”
Oregon, playing its eighth game in as many weekends before its second idle week, looked like a tired team in the first half. Wisconsin, meanwhile, has lost to two top-five teams at home already this season and is 0-5 under Fickell against ranked opponents.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Jeff Hanisch / Imagn Images)
