A slow start, but Badgers' defense powers win over Purdue

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After its last two games were decided by a grand total of six points, Wisconsin finally got to breath Saturday against Purdue.

The Badgers didn't make it too easy early on, but a dominant defense held the Boilers to just seven points in a 24-7 win at Camp Randall Stadium.

Wisconsin dominated the first half, out-gaining Purdue, 272-61. But that certainly didn't tell the story. After an early touchdown put the Badgers on top, 7-0, a Joel Stave interception was returned 66 yards by Leroy Clark, and that set up a two-yard touchdown run by David Blough to tie the game. The Badgers answered with a go-ahead field goal, but Rafael Gaglianone missed an attempt right before halftime, meaning Wisconsin went to the break ahead just 10-7.

Other than those seven points off the interception — that gave Purdue a very short field — the Badgers' defense hardly allowed a thing. The Boilers didn't score again, and they finished with just 191 total yards on the day.

Meanwhile, running backs Dare Ogunbowale and Alec Ingold each scored a touchdown in the second half (Ingold also had the team's first score) to extend the Wisconsin lead to 24-7.

Stave, apart from the interception, finished with a solid day. He completed 30 of his 39 passing attempts for 322 yards. The Badgers rushed for a total of just 56 yards without its two top backs, Corey Clement and Taiwan Deal.

But the Badger defense was terrific, keeping the Boilers to just 56 rushing yards and limited Blough to just 15 completions.

Wisconsin improved to 5-2 with the win and with a 2-1 conference record stayed just a game back of undefeated Iowa in the Big Ten West race.

Purdue dropped to 1-6 on the season with the loss.

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