Baggot Five Things to Know: Badgers battle for Freedom Trophy
November 20, 2024 | Football
Bucky seeks 11th straight win over Nebraska
You would be hard-pressed to find a more entertaining, meaningful and impactful run of success than the one the Wisconsin football team has enjoyed versus Nebraska.
The Badgers have won 10 straight games over the 'Huskers, and just about every single one has been laced with drama or controversy, including two overtimes, two fourth-quarter comebacks, a one-point victory and five one-score outings.
It began in 2012 when unranked UW crushed the No. 12 Cornhuskers 70-31 to win its third straight Big Ten Conference title. Melvin Gordon and Montee Ball both produced 200-yard rushing days in what was the final regular season game of the Bret Bielema era.
Two years later, the Freedom Trophy was introduced to spice up the rivalry, but Nebraska players, coaches and fans still don't know what it looks like. Meanwhile, five UW coaches have won it at least once.
In Gary Anderson's final matchup with Nebraska, Gordon set the then-FBS single-game rushing record with 408 yards during a 59-24 rout of the Huskers.
Paul Chryst took over the following season and won six straight meetings, including a fourth-quarter comeback decision in 2015 (23-21) and an overtime victory in ’16 (23-17).
When Chryst was dismissed five games into the 2022 season, interim coach Jim Leonhard saw the Badgers erase a 14-3 fourth-quarter deficit and claim a 15-14 victory.
Then, Luke Fickell made his coaching debut in the series and watched Wisconsin claim a 24-17 victory in OT, which enabled his program to clinch its 22nd consecutive bowl appearance.
The stakes are the same Saturday at 2:30 p.m. when the Badgers (5-5 overall, 3-4 in the Big Ten) take on the Cornhuskers (5-5, 3-4) at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Here are five more things to know:
THESE NUMBERS DON’T LIE
During their 10-game winning streak in this series, the Badgers have rushed 440 times for 3,176 yards vs. Nebraska. That’s a per-carry average of 7.22. For reference, the UW single-season record is 6.92 yards per attempt set in 2014.
NEITHER DO THESE
Six of the 10 wins in this streak have featured a 200-yard rushing effort from a UW running back. In addition to the two by Gordon (2012 and ’14) and the one by Ball (2012), Jonathan Taylor had three (2017, ’18, ’19) and Braelon Allen had one (2021).
JUST DOING THEIR JOBS
The UW offensive line – left tackle Jack Nelson, left guard Joe Brunner, center Jake Renfro, right guard Joe Huber and right tackle Riley Mahlman – has yielded only 11 quarterback sacks and 40 tackles for losses thus far. That ranks it second and fourth in the Big Ten, respectively. Both rank 14th among FBS schools.
SAY IT’S SO, JOE
Joe Brunner hasn’t allowed a sack across 321 quarterback pressure opportunities this season, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s one of nine Big Ten offensive linemen to allow zero sacks across 300+ pressure opportunities.
DON’T GET TOO COMFY
Wisconsin’s four-game winning streak at Memorial Stadium is its second-longest active run on the road vs. a Big Ten opponent. The Badgers have won nine straight outings at Purdue’s Ross-Ade Stadium.
FIRST AND 10: Tawee Walker
What’s your favorite thing about yourself?
“I’m the same person every single day of the year. I don’t change. Whatever I’m going through in life, I’m the same person.’’
What’s your worst habit?
“My phone. I have to have it everywhere. I don’t want to say I’m addicted, but I’m addicted.’’
How do you deal with stress?
“Being around people I love. My son (Kingston), when I’m around him, it’s stress-free.’’
What’s something people would never guess just by looking at you?
“That I’m shy in crowds.’’
What are you good at besides football?
“Video games, ping-pong, pool.’’
Is there a new teammate that you’ve come to admire?
“Jackson Acker. He’s just an amazing person every single day. He’s had to adapt to a new role and picked up that role very well. He’s one of the most talented guys I’ve been around and one of the most outgoing guys I’ve ever been around. His attitude every day is amazing. I could talk about him all day long and every day of the week. I love to be around him.’’
What’s a personality trait that you’re most proud of?
“I’m very trustworthy.’’
Can you give me an item on your bucket list?
“To coach my son someday.’’
What’s the biggest favor you’ve done for someone else?
“I feel like I do a lot of favor for others, but I’m not a guy that likes to talk about them.’’
