MADISON, Wis. — A rainy day at Camp Randall Stadium didn't stop eighth-ranked Wisconsin from a dominating 48-0 shutout victory against Kent State on Saturday. Jonathan Taylor had four rushing touchdowns and caught a TD pass to match UW's single-game record of five touchdowns while Zack Baun had a career-high three sacks in leading the Badgers' defense to its third shutout of the season. UW improved its start to 5-0 for the second time in the last three seasons. 

Taylor had 19 rushes for 186 yards, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the 27th time in 32 career games with the Badgers and passing Melvin Gordon for third on UW's all-time rushing list. Taylor now has covered 4,916 yards in his career.

The Badgers, who entered the day with the nation's top-ranked defense, held Kent State (2-3) to 124 yards of total offense. Chris Orr, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Northwestern, added two sacks for a unit that has allowed just four touchdowns through five games.

Kent State's Dustin Crum and Woody Barrett combined for just 64 yards on 10-of-17 passing. Most of those yards came on a 28-yard completion to receiver Raymond James.

Taylor scored from 6 yards out on the opening drive. The junior running back now has a touchdown on each of the Badgers' five opening drives this season. Wisconsin is the only team in the FBS to open each game with a touchdown.

Taylor scored four first-half touchdowns before the Golden Flashes had their third first down. Taylor also crossed the goal line on 19-, 4- and 48-yard runs. Taylor and quarterback Jack Coan linked up for an 18-yard score that made it 28-0 at halftime.

Caon, who won his seventh straight start, finished 12-for-15 with 134 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Jake Ferguson was on the receiving end of the junior's other touchdown, a 2-yard score that made it 41-0 with 8:01 left in the third quarter. Receiver Jack Dunn added the final score on a 3-yard TD run in the fourth.

Taylor is closing in on Montee Ball (2009-12) at second with 5,140 yards but still has a way to go before catching the 7,125 yards posted by Ron Dayne (1996-99). The 2018 Doak Walker Award winner already has tallied 16 touchdowns this season. That's the most by any FBS player in his team's first five games since Ricky Williams had 20 for Texas in 1998. Williams won the Heisman Trophy that season.