Wisconsin Badgers Upset No. 21 Illinois, 27-10
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers have pulled off their second AP Top-25 win of the season, defeating No. 21 Illinois, 27-10. After a narrow victory over No. 23 Washington earlier in the month, Luke Fickell and company rattled off another upset at Camp Randall Stadium.
It was all about the defense, as Darryl Peterson would post the game of his career. The senior linebacker put up six tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. D’Yoni Hill, Mason Reiger and the rest of the unit would impose its will on the Fighting Illini through all four quarters.
Badger Defense Got Hot Early
Just as it appeared Illinois would march down the field on the opening drive, Wisconsin’s defense made a huge stand. Matt Jung nearly recorded an interception that was eventually called back, followed by a Jay’viar Suggs sack.
From there, Carter Smith would lead an 80-yard drive that lasted nearly 10 minutes, capped off by an end-around touchdown to Vinny Anthony II. Smith would finish the first quarter 4-for-4 with 40 yards.
After a missed 37-yard field goal from the Fighting Illini, they’d get the ball back with under nine minutes to go in the second quarter. Luke Altmyer would lead a 55-yard drive to tie it up at 7-7 before both sides would punt. The senior would finish the period 10-for-14 with 116 yards and a rushing touchdown.
With less than a minute to go in the first half, Hunter Simmons entered the game at quarterback, going 2-for-4 with 17 yards. It would set up a 47-yard Nathanial Vakos field goal to end the first 30 minutes of action, up 10-7.
Darrion Dupree Took Off in the Second Half
Following a series of punts to open the half, Darrion Dupree would explode for an 84-yard rushing touchdown to go up 17-7 in the middle of the third quarter. Camp Randall exploded after the 10-second drive.
With just under five minutes to go in the quarter, Altmyer would make a series of impressive throws to set up Illinois in the red zone. However, the Badger defense would prevail, as the Fighting Illini settled for a 24-yard field goal.
Following an electric Jump Around (for the first time in a while), Peterson would record his third sack of the night. Illinois would then fumble the punt attempt, setting up Dupree for another rushing touchdown to extend the lead, 24-10.
There was no stopping the other side of the ball from there. Vakos stuck another field goal to go up 27-10, sealing the deal. The students would rush the field for the second home game in a row as soon as the clock hit zero.
Dupree would finish the game with 16 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns, while Smith went 9-for-11 with 75 yards. Altmyer struggled in the second half, finishing 21-35 with 248 yards and no passing touchdowns.
This was Wisconsin’s first 27-point performance since Sept. 6 against Middle Tennessee (42 points). It appears new life is in the program after a mostly disappointing season.
The Badgers have now won two of their last three games, setting them up for a season finale against Minnesota in the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe.
