Badgers' upset bid falls short against No. 1 Oregon

Saturday, November 16

6:30 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

5-5 , 3-4

Oregon

11-0 , 8-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Oregon

Wisconsin

Photo by: David Stluka

Badgers' upset bid falls short against No. 1 Oregon

November 16, 2024 | Football

Box Score WATCH: Fickell Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery

UW holds Oregon to fewest points of the season

By: Charlie Parent

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin football team fell to No. 1 Oregon, 16-13, Saturday in front of a sold-out Camp Randall crowd.

The Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) held the Ducks' potent offense in check, limiting Oregon (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) to a season-low 16 points, but ultimately came up short.

It was the fifth sellout at Camp Randall this season, the most in a single campaign since 2008.

Despite the defeat, UW's defense was instrumental Saturday, holding the Ducks to their fewest points since their season opener in 2022. Hunter Wohler and Christian Alliegro flew around the field, each posting double-digit tackles. Wohler's 12 stops were a season-high and one shy of his career best.

Oregon took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter thanks to a pair of 35-plus-yard field goals. Badger defensive back Nyzier Fourqurean nabbed a clutch interception at his own 1-yard line to keep the Ducks out of the endzone.

Wisconsin got on the board at the start of the second quarter as Nathanial Vakos drilled a 31-yard field goal. The try was set up by a 13-play drive, and a 22-yard rush from Tawee Walker to get inside the redzone.

Bucky took the momentum into halftime as Braedyn Locke hit receiver, Will Pauling, for a two-yard touchdown right before the break. Locke's 44-yard deep pass to Vinny Anthony II led to the UW score and a 10-6 lead.

WISCONSIN TAKES THE LEAD ON #1 OREGON RIGHT BEFORE HALF 🔥

pic.twitter.com/hBuSPoePQz
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) November 17, 2024

The UW defense continued its dominance into the third quarter, forcing a punt out of the half. The Badgers capitalized on the field position as Vakos tacked on another field goal, this time from 35 yards. The 16-play drive milked nine minutes of the game clock and extended UW's lead to seven.

Oregon wouldn't go down lightly, though, knotting up the contest with a touchdown of its own on the ensuing possession.

The Ducks slid into a 16-13 lead with just over 2 minutes remaining thanks to a 23-yard field goal and UW's comeback bid came up short.

Walker finished his day with 97 yards on 22 carries. Anthony was the team's leading receiver, posting 53 yards on four catches.

Up Next: The Badgers hit the road for the final time this season as a battle for the Freedom Trophy against Nebraska looms. The Cornhuskers have lost four straight games. UW leads the overall series 13-4 and rides a 10-game win streak over Nebraska. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.