GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Rafael Gaglianone booted the 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Wisconsin's defense backed up their strong-legged kicker with a late-game interception.
Then LSU offensive lineman Josh Boutte delivered a devastating hit.
The Badgers staved off the fifth-ranked Tigers' desperate last-ditch drive for a 16-14 victory Saturday in a game that dealt an early blow to LSU's national title hopes.
LSU's frustration was on full display at the end of the game, when Boutte was ejected for a flagrant foul after the vicious blind-side hit on Wisconsin's D'Cota Dixon. The safety had sealed the win with an interception with 57 seconds left.
"It was honestly unbelievable when I turned around and saw that D'Cota had the ball in his hands," Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt said.
Dixon picked off Brandon Harris at the Wisconsin 25 and slipped to the ground. A nearby official waved both arms above his head as if signaling the play was over, while Dixon ran off with teammates with his right index finger pointed in the air in celebration.
The Badgers defense pitched a shutout well into the third quarter, forcing two fumbles and frustrating Harris. But Wisconsin led just 6-0 at halftime after squandering early scoring chances, including a stop on fourth-and-1 from the LSU 23.
Quarterback Bart Houston, making his first career start, was 19 of 31 for 205 yards with two interceptions. Corey Clement ran for 86 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
But in the end, the Badgers celebrated at Lambeau Field, home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers.
"When you look at the ranking, OK, they're No. 5. But what are we? And we beat them," Clement said. "It's just one of those things where you think, `We're still not getting respect probably.'"
Heisman Trophy hopeful Leonard Fournette ran for 138 yards on 23 carries for LSU but walked gingerly to the sideline after his final carry, a 15-yard run with less than 2 minutes left.
Now, the Tigers will limp home with their first loss in a season opener in Miles' 12 years as LSU coach.
"We knew what was at stake this season. Our goal is to win it all and go undefeated. It's a hurtful feeling," cornerback Tre'Davious White said.
Gaglianone also hit field goals from 30 and 48 yards in the second quarter. The Badgers held LSU to 2 of 10 on third-down conversions.
"Really proud of them. Far from perfect, but they just kept playing and found a way just to make plays," coach Paul Chryst said.
