Wisconsin Badgers
4-4 , 2-3
Purdue
5-3 , 3-2
Wisconsin derails Purdue, 35-24
October 22, 2022 | Football
Torchio, Mertz and Allen help lead Badgers to Homecoming victory
MADISON, Wis. — Graham Mertz threw for two touchdowns, Braelon Allen rushed for 113 yards and a score and Wisconsin defeated Purdue 35-24 on Saturday.
John Torchio had two interceptions, including a 31-yard return for a touchdown for the Badgers (4-4, 2-3 Big Ten Conference). The game marked the first home win for Wisconsin interim coach Jim Leonhard.
Allen, who surpassed 100 yards for the fifth time this season, went to the injury tent late in the third quarter with a left arm injury but returned in the fourth.
Mertz went 13 of 21 for 203 yards with two touchdowns for the Badgers, who have won 16 straight games against Purdue.
Purdue's four-game winning streak was snapped and the Boilermakers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) fell one game behind Illinois for the lead in the Big Ten West standings.
The Badgers scored on their opening drive as Mertz threw a 29-yard touchdown strike to Skyler Bell.
Less than one minute later, Torchio picked off Aidan O'Connell and dashed 31 yards for a touchdown. for the score that increased Wisconsin's lead to 14-0. Mertz capped an 80-yard drive with a three-yard pass to Chimere Dike and it was 21-0 after one quarter.
Allen's 14-yard touchdown made it 28-3 in the first minute of the second half.
The Boilermakers capitalized on an fumble get a short field, scoring an an eight-yard pass from from O'Connell to Payne Durham. But that was quickly negated with a 54-yard burst by Isaac Guerendo 90 seconds later.
Devin Mockobee ran for 108 yards and a touchdown for Purdue with O'Connella going 31 of 46 for 320 yards.
pull up and you know it's us, the bass jumpin' pic.twitter.com/dZ5qQU527p
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 22, 2022
The Boilermakers defense entered the game ranked 91st nationally with 248.4 yards per game. They gave up 378 yards, including 203 passing yards.
The Badgers entered with a 79.2 percent success rate (19 of 24) in red-zone scoring, which ranked second in the league behind Ohio State. They were 1 of 1 on red-zone opportunities against Purdue.
Wisconsin was without the team's sack leader and best pass rusher as outside linebacker Nick Herbig did not play. Badgers officials wouldn't not provide details except to say that Herbig was sidelined due to injury.
Looking ahead, the Badgers will enjoy a bye week before they return to action on Saturday, Nov. 5 at home against Maryland. Kickoff time and broadcast information will be announced soon.
The AP contributed to this article.
Team Stats
PUR 0, WIS 7
WIS - Bell,Skyler 29 yd pass from Mertz,Graham (Van Zelst,Nate kick) 6 plays, 76 yards, TOP 02:26
PUR 0, WIS 14
WIS - Torchio,John 31 yd interception (Van Zelst,Nate kick)
PUR 0, WIS 21
WIS - Dike,Chimere 3 yd pass from Mertz,Graham (Van Zelst,Nate kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:59
PUR 3, WIS 21
PUR - Fineran,Mitchell 36 yd field goal 13 plays, 71 yards, TOP 05:14
PUR 3, WIS 28
WIS - Allen,Braelon 14 yd run (Van Zelst,Nate kick), 2 plays, 14 yards, TOP 00:12
PUR 10, WIS 28
PUR - Durham,Payne 8 yd pass from O'Connell,Aidan (Fineran,Mitchell kick) 4 plays, 21 yards, TOP 01:55
PUR 10, WIS 35
WIS - Guerendo,Isaac 54 yd run (Van Zelst,Nate kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:30
PUR 17, WIS 35
PUR - Mockobee,Devin 1 yd run (Fineran,Mitchell kick), 12 plays, 81 yards, TOP 05:30
PUR 24, WIS 35
PUR - O'Connell,Aidan 1 yd run (Fineran,Mitchell kick), 9 plays, 87 yards, TOP 02:23
