EVANSTON, Ill. — No. 19 Northwestern edged
Graham Mertz and No. 10 Wisconsin for a 17-7 victory on Saturday that put the undefeated Wildcats in control of the Big Ten West.
Northwestern forced five turnovers — four in the first half — and sacked Mertz three times in its first win over a top-10 team since 2011. NU quarterback Peyton Ramsey threw two touchdown passes and finished 23 for 44 for 203 yards, and Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman had four receptions for 95 yards. The Wildcats improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2015. They also moved to 5-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1996.
Wisconsin (2-1, 2-1) had committed just one turnover this year, a fumble during a 45-7 victory over Illinois on Oct. 23. The Badgers then had back-to-back games canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the program before rolling to a 49-11 win at Michigan last weekend.
Mertz, a redshirt freshman, lost a fumble and threw the first three interceptions of his career against Northwestern. Senior running back Garrett Groshek also lost a fumble in his return after he missed the victory against the Wolverines.
The Badgers still managed to stay in the game thanks to their stout defense. But Charlie Kuhbander kicked a 32-yard field goal with 11:35 left, and Northwestern finished off another second-half shutout. The Wildcats have allowed just 10 points in the final two quarters this season.
Northwestern got off to a fast start. After Wisconsin didn't capitalize on its first possession, Ramsey tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Charlie Mangieri with 10:50 left in the first quarter. John Raine set up the score by drawing a pair of pass interference penalties in the end zone.
Groshek then fumbled the ball away for the Badgers, and Chiaokhiao-Bowman's 36-yard reception on a pass by fellow receiver Riley Lees moved the Wildcats to the Badgers 1. The play was originally ruled a touchdown, but a replay review showed Chiaokhiao-Bowman stepped out of bounds.
The overturned call took on added significance when Isaiah Bowser fumbled on the next snap, and Spencer Lytle recovered for Wisconsin in the end zone. The Badgers then put together a six-play, 80-yard drive, tying it at 7 on Mertz's 49-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike with 5:14 left in the opening quarter.
Including Dike's 49-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter — which followed a fumble forced by Keeanu Benton and recovered by Spencer Lytle — the Badgers have scored off all 5 turnovers forced this season (including 4 TDs).
Wisconsin had a couple chances to move in front in the first half, but Mertz fumbled on a sack by Blake Gallagher and threw two interceptions to Brandon Joseph. The first pick was deflected by linebacker Paddy Fisher before it went through the arms of tight end Hayden Rucci.
After Joseph's second interception, Northwestern put together a seven-play, 72-yard drive to go ahead to stay. Ramsey made a terrific throw to Chiaokhiao-Bowman for a tiebreaking 25-yard touchdown on an over-the-shoulder grab with 56 seconds left in the half.
Mertz was 23 of 41 for 230 yards. He also carried the ball seven times for 13 yards, including a career-long 24 yard scamper. Junior TE Jake Ferguson matched his career high with seven catches for 58 yards. Ferguson has caught at least one pass in each of his 30 career games, matching the nation's fifth longest active streak. Jalen Berger also had 15 carries for 93 yards for the Badgers. In total, the Badgers outgained the Wildcats 366-263.
Wisconsin's defense turned the Wildcats away on three-and-outs in each of their first 5 series of the second half. NU had 13 total yards in the third quarter. The Badgers held Northwestern to its season-low rushing total of just 24 yards on 23 attempts for an average of 1.04 yards per carry. UW also racked up six tackles for loss in the game.
Wisconsin further limited Northwestern to 2-for-15 on third down. On the season, Badger opponents are now just 7-for-36 on third down (19.4%). UW additionally won the time of possession battle for the third time in three games, owning a margin of 37:01 to 22:59.
Wisconsin's defense saw the Wildcats finish with just 24 yards rushing, putting a lot of pressure on Ramsey.
Up next for the Badgers, Wisconsin returns home to host Border Battle rival Minnesota on Saturday, Nov. 28. The battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe kicks off at 1 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
