DALLAS, Texas — It wasn't always smooth sailing, but No. 8 Wisconsin sank No. 12 Western Michigan's hopes of an undefeated season Monday to claim the 2017 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, 24-16.
For the Badgers' seniors playing in their last football game, the win was particularly poignant as the 13 upperclassmen made program history as Wisconsin's winningest class with 41 overall victories.
With their ''Row The Boat'' mentality inspired by head coach P.J. Fleck, the Broncos (13-1) made it from one win during his first season in Kalamazoo three years ago to the last FBS team other than No. 1 Alabama this season with a chance to be undefeated. But Wisconsin (11-3), which finished with 11 wins for the fourth time in seven seasons, was clearly bigger and stronger - especially up front. The Big Ten Badgers set the tone early, with rushing touchdowns on their first two drives to take a 14-0 lead early against the Broncos.
Badgers' tight end Troy Fumagalli was named the game's Offensive Most Valuable Player, while teammate and inside linebacker T.J. Edwards earned the defensive honor. Fumagalli re-ignited the game after making a leaping 8-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to help seal the Broncos doom. With 14 minutes left, Fumagalli's TD catch — an acrobatic leap in the back of the end zone between two defenders — came three plays after a rare interception thrown by WMU quarterback Zach Terrell to make it 24-10. Vying for the highlight reel, the touchdown was Fumagalli's second awe-inspiring play of the game after hauling in a one-handed 20-yard grab on the Badgers' opening drive. He finished with 6 receptions for 83 yards and the touchdown to lead the Badgers.
A needed momentum-changer, Edwards captured that key interception for the Badgers on the 12-yard line to set up Fumagalli's score. The sophomore also lead the Badgers in tackles with 10 (4 solos, 6 assists). The interception was one of only four this season for WMU's Terrell.
Senior Corey Clement opened up Wisconsin's scoring at 8:52 of the first quarter with a 2-yard TD run, finishing with 22 carries for 71 yards and 2 receptions for 28 yards. Classmate Dare Ogunbowale added the Badgers' second touchdown five minutes later on a 1-yard TD run to help the Badgers take a 14-0 lead. Kicker Andrew Endicott finished perfect on the day with three conversions and one successful field goal round out the Badgers' scoring.
Making the program's first appearance in the Cotton Bowl, the victory improves Wisconsin to three consecutive bowl wins after downing Auburn in the Outback Bowl following the 2014 season and topping USC in last year's Holiday Bowl. It was also the Badgers first appearance in a New Year's Six bowl and 15th straight appearance in a bowl overall. The Cotton Bowl victory also gives Wisconsin 11 wins in a season for the sixth time in school history and the second time in the last three seasons.
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The Associated Press contributed to this article.
