TAMPA, Fla. — Wisconsin could not hold on to its hard-fought lead and let LSU back in the game to claim the come-from-behind 35-31 victory in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday.
The Badgers were led by a stellar performance from quarterback Tanner Mordecai, who threw for a season-high 378 yards and three TDs for Wisconsin (7-6), playing without star running back Braelon Allen. Mordecai, a sixth-year senior playing his final college game, finished 27 of 40 passes without an interception for the Badgers, who rolled up more than 500 yards of total offense despite playing without Allen, who opted out of the bowl game because he's declaring for the NFL.
Wisconsin wide receiver Will Pauling became the first Badger this season to record 100 yards receiving in a single game as he caught 8 passes for 143 yards, scoring two TDs for UW. Fellow receiver Bryson Green and running back Jackson Acker also added to the Badgers' scoreline.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 395 yards and three touchdown to rally the Tigers from a 14-point second-half deficit after stepping in to make his first college start in place of 2023 Heisman Trophy Winner Jayden Daniels (opting out to begin preparing for the NFL draft). Nussmeier completed 31 of 45 passes, including TD passes of 14 yards to Chris Hilton Jr. and 38 and 4 yards to Brian Thomas Jr., whose second touchdown put LSU ahead with 3:08 remaining.
Wisconsin jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, then led 21-14 at the half.
Trailing 31-28 into the fourth quarter, Nussmeier set up the winning touchdown with completions of 37 yards to Kyren Lacy and 43 yards to Hilton. Thomas finished with eight catches for 98 yards, while Lacy had six receptions for 97 yards for the Tigers.
Mordecai had the first 300-yard game by a Badgers quarterback since September 2019. He became the 11th Badger QB to throw for 300+ yards in a game and his 378 yards were the most ever for a Badger QB against an SEC team and rank fifth in school history, in addition to the second-most in a bowl game in school history.
Acker scampered for a 34-yard score in the third quarter, the longest rush of his career. He finished with a career-high 86 yards on 15 carries and added 22 yards receiving.
Wide receiver Trech Kekahuna made his first catch as a Badger in the second quarter. He shook a tackle and picked up nine yards. He finished with four catches for 64 yards. Kekahuna also broke a 37-yard kick return in the third quarter, the longest of his career.
On defense, Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler made seven tackles and also posted a pair of pass breakups, a career-high. He ended his season with 120 tackles, which ranks third in school history by a defensive back.
Corner back Ricardo Hallman grabbed a second-quarter interception to push his season total to seven. Hallman, an AP third team All-American, is the first Badger to tally seven interceptions since Shane Carter did so in 2007.
The Badgers open next season against Western Michigan and South Dakota before hosting Alabama on Sept. 14.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
