(UW ATHLETICS) PISCATAWAY, N.J. –– The Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) Badgers blew past Rutgers on Saturday, 42-7, thanks to a 549-yard offensive performance and career day from running back Tawee Walker.
Walker rushed for a career-high 198 yards on 24 carries and scored three times. Overall, the offensive line and running backs teamed up for 309 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. The game marks the first time that UW has rushed for 300+ yards and five touchdowns since a 2023 Week 1 win over Buffalo to start the Luke Fickell era last season.
UW’s defense was stout as well, holding Rutgers under 300 yards and forcing nine punts. Safety Preston Zachman led the team with 10 tackles, with 1.5 for a loss and picking up an interception.
Wisconsin improves to 6-0 all-time against Rutgers. UW has excelled in the Birthplace of College Football, going 3-0 and outscoring Rutgers 131-10. After defeating Purdue 52-6 last weekend, UW has outscored its opponents 94-13 in its last two games.
To start the action, the Badger offense exploded on its opening drive, as Locke connected with Will Pauling on a 16-yard athletic grab for the game’s first touchdown. Locke hit Vinny Anthony on a 34-yard deep-shot earlier in the possession that set up the score. UW has now scored touchdowns on 3-of-6 game-opening drives at the halfway mark of the regular season.
After forcing two more punts, Wisconsin struck again on tough running from Walker who punched in a two-yard rush on fourth down. Walker had a monster first quarter overall, rushing for 61 yards and a score on 11 carries.
The sides trade scoreless possessions right before the half. The Scarlet Knights entered the red zone with just over two minutes to play, but were stalled out after a Badger defense 4th-and-1 stop. Elijah Hills was among the first to stop the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage. Wisconsin held a 14-0 lead at halftime.
The Badger defense remained active out of the break, forcing a seventh Rutgers punt out of just nine possessions. The offense carried the defense’s momentum, racing 89-yards to the end zone in just four plays. Walker ripped off a 33-yard run to start the drive, before Locke hit Anthony for a 47-yard reception to bring them down to the 2-yard-line. Freshman running back Darrion Dupree got the call at the goal line, and punched through for his first collegiate touchdown and a 21-0 lead.
On the ensuing drive, Hunter Wohler deflected a pass that fell into the hands of Preston Zachman for his second interception of the season. Dupree took the next four carries into the red zone before Walker raced for nine yards and his second touchdown of the day.
The two teams then traded touchdowns for the first time in the contest, as Walker hit the trifecta on the ensuing UW drive. The 55-yard explosion toppled his career high and marked Walker’s eighth touchdown in three games. He’s the first Badger back to score 8+ rushing touchdowns over a three-game span since Melvin Gordon scored nine during the 2014 season. Dating back to last October, Walker has scored in seven of the eight games he’s received 8+ carries.
Locke capped off the scoring, finding the end zone on a rushing TD from one yard out that was setup by Cade Yacamelli’s 45-yard run inside the five.
Locke ended his efficient day going 20-for-28 with 240 yards, two total touchdowns and an interception. He spread the ball all-around the field, as Anthony led the way with 81 yards on 2 catches and a touchdown. Will Pauling had four catches for 49 yards, while Trech Kekahuna had four grabs for 39 yards.
Up Next: The Badgers extend their travels just south of campus as a matchup at Northwestern (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) looms next Saturday. The Wildcats come off a 37-10 win over Maryland on Friday night, but Wisconsin rides a two-game win streak and leads the overall series 61-39-5. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.
Comments