MADISON, Wis. — Graham Mertz scored on two quarterback sneaks and threw a touchdown pass to help Wisconsin trounce No. 9 Iowa 27-7 on Saturday for its fourth consecutive victory.

Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) forced three turnovers, produced six sacks and limited Iowa to 24 yards rushing on 30 carries. The Badgers maintained control of their destiny in the Big Ten West Division race and regained possession of the Heartland Trophy that goes to the winner of this annual matchup.

Wisconsin has won eight of its last 10 meetings with Iowa, dating to 2010, including three straight victories over the Hawkeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers improved their lead in the all-time series with the Hawkeyes to 49-44-2 and Wisconsin owns a 10-6 lead in the all-time series since the debut of the Heartland Trophy in 2004.

Iowa (6-2, 3-2) has been outscored 51-14 in its last two games after being ranked second in the nation just a couple of weeks ago. This was the Hawkeyes' first game since a 24-7 home loss to Purdue on Oct. 16.

Iowa's net yardage total didn't get into positive territory for good until midway through the second quarter when the Hawkeyes already trailed 17-0. Iowa didn't pick up a first down until just 1:15 remained in the second quarter. Wisconsin held Iowa scoreless in the first half, holding the Hawkeyes to 17 total yards on 23 plays
(0.7 average). UW limited Iowa to -13 rushing yards, 30 passing yards, a single first down and a 1-for-7 mark on third-down conversions.

Wisconsin's Braelon Allen rushed for 104 yards on 20 attempts The 17-year-old freshman has run for over 100 yards in four straight games after totaling just 12 carries in Wisconsin's first four games.

The Badgers built a 20-0 halftime lead as Iowa fumbled three times inside its own 20-yard line in the second quarter, leading to 10 points for the Badgers. Iowa was ranked third and Wisconsin tied for 124th among all Football Bowl Subdivision teams in turnover margin before Saturday's game.

Iowa got back in the game early in the third quarter as Spencer Petras scored from 1 yard out on a quarterback sneak. Iowa advanced to Wisconsin territory on its next possession, but Scott Nelson and Jack Sanborn stopped fullback Monte Pottebaum for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the 40.

Wisconsin's next possession culminated with Mertz's second 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Badgers a 27-7 edge with 12:54 left.

Mertz went 11 of 22 for 104 yards. He threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ferguson late in the first quarter to put Wisconsin ahead for good.

Wisconsin already led 10-0 before Iowa dug itself a deeper hole with its flurry of turnovers.

The first came when Nick Herbig sacked Petras and forced a fumble that Keeanu Benton recovered at the Iowa 8. Iowa's defense responded with a goal-line stand as Seth Benson and Jack Campbell stuffed fullback John Chenal on fourth-and-goal from the 1.

Iowa gave the ball right back as Ivory Kelly-Martin mishandled a handoff and Noah Burks recovered the fumble at the 1. One play later, Mertz scored.

Later in the second quarter, Iowa fumbled again when punt returner Max Cooper had the ball bounce off his chest. Wisconsin's Travian Blaylock recovered at the 18 to set up Collin Larsh's 32-yard field goal.

Wisconsin's defense has been exceptional all year and is better than ever now that the Badgers are forcing turnovers. After getting just four takeaways in their first six games, the Badgers have eight in their last two games. For the second-straight game, the Badgers defense racked up 10 tackles for loss and six sacks on the day. On the year, UW is averaging 7.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks per game on the season. UW's 6.0 sacks was the team's highest total against Iowa since at least 1997.

Inside linebacker Leo Chenal led Wisconsin with nine tackles, including two tackles for loss and 0.5 sack. Teammate Nick Herbig posted six tackles with a career-high 2.5 sacks. He also recorded his first-career forced fumble and now has a team-high 6.0 sacks on the year. Senior Jack Sanborn finished with seven tackles, adding 1.5 TFLs and 0.5 sacks. Sanborn ranks second on the team with nine TFLs.

Senior kicker Collin Larsh connected on both of his field goal attempts, booting one from 29 yards and one from 32 yards in the second quarter.

Looking ahead, Wisconsin travels to Rutgers on Saturday, November 6. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

The AP contributed to the article.