Football October 16, 2024

Baggot: Five things to know - Badgers travel to Northwestern

UW seeks third-straight conference victory

The Wisconsin football team has reached the midway point of the regular season with tangible proof that its overall product is getting better.

The Badgers (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) have responded to two low points – losses to bluebloods Alabama and USC – with dominating performances against Purdue and Rutgers.

During that four-game time frame, UW has gone from 109th in scoring offense to 60th, from 96th to 53rd in total offense, 59th to 37th in rushing offense and 104th to 80th in passing offense.

All those areas got a notable boost from 52-6 and 42-7 victories in which the Badgers surpassed 500 yards in total offense over consecutive Big Ten outings for the first time since 2010 (Indiana 598, Michigan 558 and Northwestern 559).

Meanwhile, Wisconsin has gone from 69th to 33th in scoring defense and 41st to 33rd in total defense. That sets up an intriguing match-up when the Badgers play at Northwestern (3-3, 1-2) at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m.

The Wildcats currently rank 104th in rushing offense, 109th in scoring offense, 120th in total offense and 128th in passing efficiency defense. But Northwestern has long given UW fits.

Here are five more things to know:

Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) carries the ball during a Big Ten Conference NCAA college football game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Madison, Wis. The Badgers won 52-6. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

WR Vinny Anthony hauls in a pass in a 52-6 Week 5 win over Purdue

CATCHING ON

UW junior wide receiver Vinny Anthony II is currently averaging 26.1 yards per catch, which not only leads the nation (minimum 10 receptions) it puts him in excellent position to surpass a 54-year-old single-season program record set by tight end Larry Mialik in 1970 (21.3 ypc).

Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) carries the ball during a Big Ten Conference NCAA college football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Piscataway, NJ. The Badgers won 42-7. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

RB Tawee Walker rushed for three scores and 198 yards in last week's win over Rutgers

GOOD COMPANY

Wisconsin senior running back Tawee Walker has eight touchdowns over his last three games. The last UW back to score at least eight TDs in three straight outings was Melvin Gordon, who had four vs. Illinois, three vs. Maryland and two vs. Rutgers in 2014.

QB Scott Tolzein threw for four touchdown passes in a 2010 Big Ten clinching win over the Wildcats

STRANGE BUT TRUE

The Badgers are 180-2 when scoring 40+ points in a game going back to their inaugural season in 1889. Northwestern owns both wins: 47-44 in two overtimes in 2000 and 51-48 in 2005.

Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) carries the ball during an NCAA college football game against the Northwestern Wildcats Saturday, October 4, 2014, in Evanston, Ill. The Wildcats won 20-14. (Photo by David Stluka)

RB Melvin Gordon rushed for 431yards and two scores in two career games against Northwestern

NO KIDDING

Wisconsin is 58-6 when producing a 200-yard rusher in its history. The Wildcats are responsible for two of those losses: 47-44 in two OTs in 2000 (Michael Bennett, 297 yards) and 20-14 in 2014 (Melvin Gordon, 259).

Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman Elijah Hills (94) celebrates during a Big Ten Conference NCAA college football game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Piscataway, NJ. The Badgers won 42-7. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

DL Elijah Hills has led the line for the Badgers through six weeks, including a big fourth-down stop against Rutgers

THROW OUT THE RECORD BOOK

Until now, the last time these teams were unranked for three straight seasons in the Associated Press top-25 poll was 1992. Neither side has been ranked in meetings since Wisconsin's 35-7 win over Northwestern in 2021.

1st & 10 with Riley Mahlman

Is there a book that’s had a significant impact on your life?

“You Can’t Hurt Me’’ by David Goggins. That was very interesting. I read that through and through a couple years ago. It was very important to me. A very inspirational story.

What's your favorite thing about yourself?

I think I’m a very friendly, sociable guy. I’m a good guy.

Is there a friend you consider family?

Jake Chaney. I’ve lived with him for the past four years. He’s always the first one to say what’s up to my mom, dad, brother and sister. He’s a great guy. He fits right in.

Is there a new teammate you've come to admire?

Kevin Heywood is a hard worker. Ever since he’s [been here] he’s always asked me questions to try and get better.

Your worst habit?

Snacking late night.

How do you deal with stress

There are different ways to do it. Playing video games sometimes takes my mind off of things. Talking through it with family or friends can help, too.

What's the best gift you've ever given?

For Christmas, me and my brother and sister planned a little trip. Gave our parents a voucher to go down to the Bahamas. It was kind of around their anniversary. It definitely meant a lot to them. They had a fun time.

Is there a class you'd like to take again?

I liked my entomology class. I took care of a bug throughout the semester. It was fun.

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