Badgers Fall to Michigan State
November 13, 2004 | Football
The fifth-ranked Wisconsin football team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday afternoon, dropping a 49-14 decision to Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. The loss drops the Badgers' record to 9-1 overall, 6-1 in the Big Ten. MSU improves to 5-5, 4-3.
Anthony Davis put UW on the scoreboard early, breaking free on a 45-yard touchdown run on the Badgers' third offensive play. Michigan State responded with 14 straight points, its first touchdown coming on a four-yard touchdown pass from Damon Dowdell to Eric Knott. The Spartans then blocked a Kenneth DeBauche punt and Travis Key recovered it in the end zone for a score.
Wisconsin tied the game on a nine-yard run by Matt Bernstein which capped a 10-play, 66-yard drive. MSU answered with a 30-yard pass from wide receiver Aaron Alexander to running back Jason Teague off a reverse. The Badgers then failed to punch the ball in on four tries from the one-yard line right before halftime, as MSU held a 21-14 lead at the break.
To open the second half, Michigan State recovered an onsides kick. Nine plays later, Jehuu Caulcrick scored on a one-yard run to increase MSU's margin to 28-14. The Spartans tacked on two more touchdowns in the third quarter and one in the fourth quarter to make the final score 49-14.
Anthony Davis paced Wisconsin with 128 yards rushing a touchdown. Quarterback John Stocco completed 20 of 38 passes for 178 yards. Michigan State gained 550 yards of total offense against a Badger which entered the game giving up just 9.1 points and 246.9 yards per game.
The Badgers close the regular season next Saturday when they face Iowa at 3:30 p.m. CT in Iowa City. Both teams are 6-1 in conference play. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.
