Northwestern Wildcats vs Wisconsin Badgers Match Player Stats On Nov 21, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Nov 21, 2015

MADISON, Wis. -- Running back Justin Jackson was a bright spot for No. 20 Northwestern in a battle between two of the toughest defenses in the Big Ten Conference.

Jackson, a sophomore, rushed for 139 yards and scored one touchdown as the Wildcats topped No. 25 Wisconsin 13-7 on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

Wisconsin backup quarterback Bart Houston failed to connect on a game-tying, 11-yard pass to wide receiver Tanner McEvoy with six seconds left as a Badgers' rally fell short. Houston substituted for starter Joel Stave on the final play after Stave was shaken up during a tackle.

The Wildcats (9-2, 5-2 Big Ten) held Wisconsin to minus-19 rushing yards in the first half and no points, the Badgers' lowest points total in a half this season. The Badgers (8-3, 5-2) didn't run a play in Northwestern territory in the first half as the Wildcats' defense had a fumble recovery, one interception and four sacks of Wisconsin quarterback Joel Stave prior to the break.

Cornerback Nick VanNoose set the stage for the Wildcats' first score as he picked off Stave on the Wisconsin 19-yard line on a ball tip by defensive lineman Ifeadi Odenigbo. Three plays later, Jackson rumbled 8 yards into the end zone for a touchdown 5:48 into the contest.

Wide receiver Jazz Peavy energized the Badgers' offense with two consecutive catches, including a 42-yard pass to Northwestern's 6-yard line. Running back Corey Clement scampered 9 yards to trim Northwestern's lead to 10-7 with 8:24 to go in the third.

It was an inauspicious game for Badgers special teams. Wide receiver Alex Erickson dashed to the end zone on a punt return midway through the third from the Badgers' 24-yard line, but the officials negated the touchdown and indicated Erickson made a fair catch signal.

On the next Wisconsin series, Erickson muffed the punt, which was recovered by Wildcats cornerback Matthew Harris at the Badgers' 30-yard line with 2:01 left in the third.

Northwestern kicker Jack Mitchell was successful with field goals from 35 and 37 yards, and missed from 27.

NOTES: In four previous games at Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers beat the Wildcats by a combined 120 points. ... The last time Northwestern won in Madison was a 47-44 double-overtime win in 2000. ... Northwestern RB Justin Jackson entered the game with 1,033 rushing yards, the sophomore's second straight season of 1,000-plus rushing yards. ... Wisconsin officials and players' parents honored 19 athletes on senior day, including QB Joel Stave, SS Michael Caputo, WR Alex Erickson, LB Joe Schobert and CB Darius Hilary.