Sherer determination: UW takes down Illinois, 27-17
October 25, 2008 | Football
October 25, 2008
MADISON, Wis.--Desperately trying to erase the demons of a four-game losing streak, Wisconsin turned in one of its most complete performances of the season knocking off Illinois 27-17 at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers used three interceptions on defense and a balanced offensive attack to turn a 10-10 halftime score into a 10-point Homecoming win. UW receiver David Gilreath caught a pair of touchdowns and Wisconsin held Illinois QB Juice Williams to a mere four yards rushing on the day.
Illinois 0 - 10 - 7 - 0 -- 17
Wisconsin 3 - 7 - 7 - 10 -- 27
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Wisconsin jumped on the scoreboard first when Philip Welch ''s 40-yard field goal cashed in an interception and 51-yard return by S Chris Maragos. Illinois would respond with a Williams-to-Zach Becker second-quarter TD, but Badgers' QB Dustin Sherer answered the bell with his own TD. After being flushed from the pocket, Sherer tucked the ball and ran to the pylon, diving across the goal line for a 15-yard TD run. An Illinois FG just before intermission knotted things up at 10-10 at the break.
Trailing 17-10 in the third quarter, Wisconsin and Sherer would take to the air to mount the comeback and pull away to victory. In his second career start, Sherer hit Gilreath on a 49-yard catch-and-run scoring strike to tie the game at 17 all. The two would hook up again late in the fourth quarter with an eight-yard TD pass to clinch the 27-17 win.
The Badgers' defense corralled Williams and kept the Illini rushing attack under wraps all afternoon. Williams entered Saturday averaging 346.1 total yards from scrimmage per game, but accounted for just four yards rushing and 221 yards passing in the loss. Sherer completed 12-of-21 passes for 221 yards, with two passing TDs and one rushing for the Badgers. RB John Clay, making his first career start, led Wisconsin with 88 yards rushing while TE Garrett Graham paced UW with six catches for 79 yards.
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