Blocked Punt Gives UW Late 38-34 Win Over Minnesota
October 15, 2005 | Football
Down 34-31 with less than one minute remaining, the University of Wisconsin football team got a huge break when freshman Jonathan Casillas blocked Minnesota's punt and Ben Strickland recovered it in the end zone for the Badgers' go-ahead touchdown and eventual 38-34 victory Saturday afternoon at the Metrodome.
No. 23 UW (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) had stopped the 22nd-ranked Gophers (5-2, 2-2) three-and-out to force the punt, which Justin Kucek mishandled. As he tried to kick it rugby-style, Casillas got his body in front of it and Strickland followed it into the end zone to help Wisconsin maintain possession of the Paul Bunyan Axe.
'I'm really proud of our players' ability to hang in and battle,' head coach Barry Alvarez said. 'The offense kept us in the game, and just when you've seen everything, you haven't. I've been in some crazy shootouts, but never one like that. This is as good of a win as I 've had.'
QB John Stocco completed 15-of-26 passes for 235 yards and connected with WR Brandon Williams with 2:10 left in the game to cut UW's deficit to 34-31. Williams, who amassed 121 yards receiving, notched seven catches to tie former Badger Lee Evans' school record of 175 career receptions.
RB Brian Calhoun, who was limited to 14 yards on the ground in the first half, finished with 110 yards off 23 carries and reeled off three touchdowns.
Minnesota counterpart Laurence Maroney provided the bulk of his squad 's offense, carrying 43 times for 258 yards and one TD. Fellow running back Gary Russell had 19 carries for 139 yards and two scores.
Russell seemingly put the nail in the coffin late in the game as he ran into the end zone from 1-yard out after Minnesota had converted a fourth down two plays earlier. That touchdown made the score 34-24 in favor of the home team with 3:27 left.
But Stocco answered with a seven-play, 71-yard drive that lasted 1:17 and ended with his 21-yard TD pass to Williams. The Badgers then attempted an onside kick, which bounced out of a Minnesota player's hands but was eventually recovered by Maroney inside the 10.
Wisconsin's defense then came up big on UM's final offensive drive to force the punt.
After UW scored and kicked off, the Gophers fumbled the return and freshman DeAndre Levy recovered the ball. Stocco took a knee to end the game.
The Badgers return to Camp Randall Stadium to play Purdue in the Homecoming game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. ABC will provide live coverage.
