Badgers recover third muffed punt of season, convert it into touchdown vs. Purdue

Posted by Admin October 5, 2024 Football

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The Wisconsin Badgers host their first Big Ten game of the season Oct. 5 when Purdue comes to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, with an 11 a.m. kickoff and coverage on the Big Ten Network.

Purdue has lost 17 straight meetings with the Badgers, dating to 2003, The Boilermakers came into the year ranked dead last in the 18-team Big Ten preseason poll, and they come to Madison with a 1-3 record. That includes a 28-10 loss to Nebraska last week in their Big Ten opener.

Wisconsin is also coming in with back-to-back losses. After an opportunistic first half against USC, the Badgers wilted in the second half and fell, 38-21, out in California. That game came two weeks after a lopsided loss at home to nonconference foe Alabama.

The Badgers need this one badly if they’re going to continue their 22-year streak of reaching a bowl game. The Boilermakers, meanwhile, surely see Wisconsin as a winnable game on the schedule.

The Journal Sentinel provides live coverage during the Wisconsin-Purdue game. Review all the big moments, scoring plays and highlights from the game below.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	TOTAL
WIS	7	–	–	–	7
PUR	0	–	–	–	0

Wisconsin just executed the play that’s been its best of the season: the recovered muffed punt. That’s the third of the season, and this one leads directly into a touchdown.

Cayson Pfeiffer, the long snapper, recovered the punt after Dillon Thieneman couldn’t handle it. It’s already the second muffed punt of the game, though Purdue recovered the first one. Wisconsin, which had just endured a mediocre series on offense, got new life 52 yards down the field at the Purdue 12-yard line.

One play later, Tawee Walker rumbled his way into the end zone for a score, and the Badgers are on the board.

Wisconsin is lucky the third-down pass on the previous offensive sequence fell incomplete. Braedyn Locke threw a dangerous pass that Botros Alisandro probably could have picked, but it fell incomplete.

WISCONSIN 7, PURDUE 0, 8:04/1st

Ricardo Hallman, on the short list of the best players the Badgers have to offer, did what he does in breaking up a third-down pass from Purdue quarterback Hudson Card to receiver Jahmal Edrine, and Wisconsin gets the ball once again, first and 10 on its own 21.

Hallman led Edrine hear about it, too. Fortunately, no flag for taunting.

The teams have combined for just one first down thus far with 10:24 left on the first-quarter clock.

A deep pass was off the mark, a third-down pass to Will Pauling was broken up and in between was an ugly looking play that appeared to be a designed run for Locke (?) but just turned into a short ball that was thrown away.

It’s a pretty ugly 3-and-out, and now Purdue has the ball back. It’s a muffed punt on the other end, but Purdue quickly recovers. It’ll be 1st and 10 on the Boilermakers’ 28-yard line.

Purdue opened the game with a 13-yard pickup, but a holding penalty later in the drive pushed Purdue backward and ultimately set up a fourth and 7 situation from the Boilermakers’ 41-yard line. That meant a punt, and Wisconsin has the ball.

Tyrell Henry, whose muffed punt played a role in USC storming back against Wisconsin last week, is back to receive and takes it to the UW 23-yard line. It’s Wisconsin’s turn.

Gavin Lahm puts the opening kickoff in the end zone and Purdue will get the ball to start the game, with Wisconsin getting to receive in the second half.

Both teams head into this game with some notable new vibes

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Graham Harrell was fired as Purdue offensive coordinator, and this will be the first game for newcomer Jason Simmons. The team ranks 15^th in the Big Ten total yards, passing yards and points.

The Badgers have some notable change, too. Leading rusher Chez Mellusi has left the program, throwing some uncertainty into the running back mix. But the Badgers are certainly armed at that position, with transfer Tawee Walker and Cade Yacamelli likely to get the bulk of the carries. But the guy everyone’s buzzing about is freshman Darrion Dupree, perhaps the most hyped recruit in this true freshman class and a guy who’s been making eye-popping plays since camp.

It’s hard to deny the tug of history on this particular story line. Jonathan Taylor was fifth on the depth chart before he emerged swiftly as a go-to force his freshman year. Braelon Allen didn’t see the field for the first three games of his breakout freshman year. Not even Ron Dayne was regarded as the obvious ball-carrier when he reported to campus. And those three are among the great freshman running backs in program history.

Nickel cornerback Max Lofy, who did not play against USC, is listed as questionable for the game against Purdue. In Lofy’s stead last week, Austin Brown started and registered a strip sack in the first half.

The report doesn’t have any true surprises. Defensive lineman Aaron Witt and receiver Kyan Berry-Johnson are also questionable. Witt was blocked in the knee against USC, a play that coach Luke Fickell discussed in depth with concern for player safety.

Chez Mellusi is listed as out after stepping away from the team, with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and James Thompson also listed as out after suffering season-ending injuries earlier this year. Offensive linemen Evan Brown and Leyton Nelson are also out, as is tight end Rob Booker and transfer receiver Joe Griffin, sidelined because of a transfer eligibility issue.

One note from Purdue: The team announced Markevious Brown, a starting cornerback, has been dismissed from the team. A university statement offered no comment on why, calling it a personal matter. Purdue said it expected Brown to rejoin the team for 2025; he’s started 15 games the past two years.

Purdue starting right tackle Marcus Mbow played high school football at Wauwatosa East in greater Milwaukee, and the junior returned to a starting role after breaking his leg last season. The high-level athlete has worked his way into the NFL draft conversation.

Cedarburg native Drew Biber, meanwhile, is listed second on the team’s tight end depth chart. He’s a junior and has a career-best six catches this year for 45 yards so far.

Wisconsin vs Purdue football start time

Date: Saturday, Oct. 5.
Time: 11 a.m.

Wisconsin will host Purdue looking for an 18th consecutive win over the Boilermakers, a streak that dates to 2003.

What channel is the Wisconsin Badger game on today? TV, live stream

Wisconsin vs Purdue betting odds, betting line, spread

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday morning

Spread: Wisconsin (-12)
Money line: Purdue +350, Wisconsin -450
Total points: 44.5

Wisconsin vs Purdue football predictions

The Badgers need a get-right game after two straight losses, but will underdog Purdue spoil the opportunity? Here’s what our writers are predicting:

Mark Stewart: Wisconsin 31, Purdue 17

JR Radcliffe: Wisconsin 42, Purdue 12

Here’s more on their predictions.

Wisconsin football news

Wisconsin football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates, start times

All times Central.

Friday, Aug. 30: vs. Western Michigan (Recap of the Badgers’ 28-14 win)
Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. South Dakota (Recap of the Badgers’ 27-13 win)
Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. No. 5 Alabama (Recap of Badgers’ 42-10 loss)
Saturday, Sept. 21: BYE
Saturday, Sept. 28: at No. 23 USC * (Recap of Badgers’ 38-21 loss)
Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Purdue *, 11 a.m. | Big Ten Network | Fubo
Saturday, Oct. 12: at Rutgers *, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19: at Northwestern *
Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. Penn State *
Saturday, Nov. 2: at Iowa *
Saturday, Nov. 9: BYE
Saturday, Nov. 16: vs. No. 3 Oregon *
Saturday, Nov. 23: at Nebraska *
Friday, Nov. 29: vs. Minnesota *
Saturday, Dec. 7: Big Ten championship (Indianapolis)

* Denotes Big Ten game

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