Badgers barrage Illini, 27-10, shellshock Illinois’ season

MADISON, Wis. — The ghost of Christmas past decided to taunt Bret Bielema at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday night.

It was just a short decade ago when Bielema was viewed as the architect behind Wisconsin’s run towards Big Ten title games, as the old stomping grounds of players like JJ Watt, Russell Wilson and Melvin Gordon, to name a few.

When Illinois woke up in Madison on Saturday morning, it was favored by 8.5 points. By dark, Illinois found itself down 14 points midway through the fourth quarter, well on its way to a disastrous loss to a Wisconsin program, years removed from the peak of its powers, and lumbering its way to the tail end of a turbulent season.

But Wisconsin lumbered no more, as they jumped around to their second major upset win at Camp Randall, upending Illinois’ plans to match last season’s record, 27-10.

A fourth-string freshman quarterback, Carter Smith, led Wisconsin to another upset win at home. At this point in Wisconsin’s season, even a slightly competitive outing against an opponent of Illinois’ caliber was gravy. A bonus feature on a movie DVD, if I may.

And Illinois was left shellshocked.

Wisconsin’s defensive line wreaks havoc

The Illini offense began the night with good protection. A 24-yard completion to tight end Davin Stoffel put Illinois’ offense at Wisconsin’s 35-yard line and in a prime position to put some early points on the board. A couple of snaps later, Wisconsin linebacker Darryl Peterson sacked Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer to stall Illinois’ drive.

It was the first of five sacks for the Badgers on the night.

On Saturday night, these sacks came on big snaps for the Illini. It led to mistakes on… Special teams.

Key penalties, special teams stagnate offense

Two killer penalties for 25 yards were the impetus for an offense that stalled more often than it took off. In the first quarter, Illinois tight end Cole Rusk got called for a pass interference as the offense approached Wisconsin’s redzone. The call resulted in 3rd-and-19 for Altmyer and the offense. It was more like 3rd-and-impossible for the Illini, as they went right back to Rusk, who rabidly pushed through his way in for a 13-yard gain.

It wasn’t enough, but it gave the Illini ideal field position for an easy 34-yard field goal. Or so everyone, including the 16,ooo-plus in attendance at Camp Randall, assumed so.

One of the best kickers in the Big Ten, Illinois kicker David Olano, missed only his third kick of the season, wide left.

It was one of two penalty and special teams hiccup combos that snowballed into negative points for the Illini on Saturday night. A holding penalty erased a potentially drive-altering 13-yard first-down reception by Illinois wide receiver Hudson Clement. Instead, the negated yardage resulted in a punt.

A Keelan Crimmins shanked punt, to be exact.

Late in the fourth quarter, Crimmins is unable to punt inside Illinois territory. It led to an easy touchdown drive by Wisconsin that stymied any hopes for an Illinois four-quarter comeback.

Defensive hiccups (again)

Considering the disarray on Illinois’ defensive side of the ball. Illinois’ defensive coordinator, Aaron Henry’s unit, was no match for a Wisconsin offense that is far from perfect.

But when it mattered the most, the defense broke. Including a huge 84-yard touchdown that they let slip away in the second half. Illinois’ offense simply couldn’t keep up.

The night ended with Wisconsin fans storming the field.