LOS ANGELES – The Wisconsin football team’s promising start dissolved in the second half during their clash against No. 16 USC on Saturday. Struggling to sustain offensive momentum and lacking defensive stops, the Badgers fell short, losing 38-21 in front of 74,118 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. They allowed USC to score 28 unanswered points after halftime.
Overall, Wisconsin was outgained 469 yards to 285 throughout the game, with a significant disparity of 205 to 82 in the second half. Sophomore quarterback Braedyn Locke, in his first start of the season, completed 13 of 26 passes for 180 yards, along with one touchdown and one interception. Senior running back Tawee Walker rushed for 55 yards on 12 carries, scoring twice. Junior Vinny Anthony led the team with 70 receiving yards and caught his first collegiate touchdown on a 63-yard reception in the first quarter.
Here are five critical takeaways from the game.
The Badgers’ defensive struggles on third downs proved costly. Wisconsin set up several third-and-long scenarios, but failed to capitalize, allowing USC to score two touchdowns in the third quarter. The Trojans converted five consecutive third downs, averaging 14 yards gained on those plays, including a pivotal 32-yard catch from quarterback Miller Moss to Duce Robinson on a crucial third-and-7.
Although Wisconsin won the turnover battle 3-2, every mistake counted. A significant misstep occurred when Tyrell Henry mishandled a punt right after the Badgers had kept USC to a three-and-out on their opening drive post-halftime. This error awarded USC a first down at the Badgers’ 30-yard line, which the Trojans converted into a touchdown.
Wisconsin’s aggressive offensive strategy paid off early in the game. The Badgers executed two vertical plays effectively in the first half, including a 63-yard touchdown pass from Locke to Anthony, and a 35-yard reception to Bryson Green that set up a rushing touchdown for Walker, giving Wisconsin a 21-10 lead before halftime.
Sophomore punter Atticus Bertrams played a crucial role in the first half, accumulating 150 yards on three punts. His longest, a 74-yarder, pinned USC at the 1-yard line, forcing the Trojans to drive the length of the field. Later, Bertrams’ 39-yard punt took an unexpected bounce, resulting in a muffed reception, which allowed Wisconsin to recover and convert for another touchdown, extending their lead to 14-7.
Closing the first half strongly, Wisconsin showcased their defensive prowess. Leon Lowery pressured Moss into a fumble, which was recovered by Ben Barten, thwarting a promising USC drive. Although the Badgers didn’t score following this turnover, they managed to run down the clock effectively, limiting USC’s time for a potential scoring drive before halftime. Wisconsin forced three turnovers in the first half, a stark contrast to the two they had managed in their first three games of the season.