The circumstances surrounding this afternoon’s clash between Wisconsin and Nebraska in Lincoln may have taken a step back from some preseason expectations, but the importance of a win today is not really all that much different. A win and Wisconsin or Nebraska will stay in a decent spot in the Big Ten West division moving forward. After one half of play, Nebraska leads Wisconsin, 14-7.
Wisconsin’s touchdown drive was made possible thanks to a fourth down conversion from the Nebraska 29-yard line. Joel Stave completed a short pass to Troy Fumagalli to keep the drive going. A big third-down pass for 16 yards on 3rd and 15 a few plays later helped set the Badgers up for a Stave-to-Fumagalli touchdown to cap the 13-play drive.
Nebraska later followed up with a nice drive of its own a few minutes before the half. Tommy Armstrong may not be having a great day throwing the football, but he was effective in leading the Huskers down the field for a score. Armstrong completed five of seven attempts on the scoring drive, then let his feet cap it off by improvising and finding enough room to sneak into the corner of the end zone after his targets through the air were shut down.
Nebraska’s defense then came up with a three-and-out to force Wisconsin to punt, and the offense went right back to work before the end of the half. Armstrong hooked up with Alonzo Moore for a 41-yard touchdown play to give Nebraska its first lead of the game with 21 seconds until halftime.
Neither team may be ranked but the two preseason favorites in the Big Ten West can still figure into the division race with a win. A loss by either would dig a big hole on a day that saw Iowa remain undefeated in the Big Ten West.