Badgers Defeat Purdue and Head to the Big Ten Championship Game

By J.B. | Posted Wednesday, November 30

Wisconsin fought its way back to the top of the Big Ten standings after losing two straight in late October. The hopes of a perfect season, (and a national title,) were dashed, but a chance at a second consecutive Rose Bowl appearance has kept Brett Bielema's team looking up. November brought three conference victories for the Badgers. They took care of Purdue, Minnesota and Illinois with ease. The Badgers offense sprung back into action over those three games, outscoring opponents 132-47. The regular season finale this Saturday at Camp Randall was for all the marbles however, and Penn State, came to Madison with the same win-loss record as Wisconsin. They both had a shot at the Big Ten Championship, as long as they won their last regular season game.

Penn State coach Tom Bradley tried to use all the tools and talent he could muster to keep the Badgers guessing. Penn State wide receivers Curtis Drake and Bill Belton each took turns behind center in these final games. The duo had quarterback experience in high school, and while they usually line up on the outside, Bradley wasn’t afraid to turn to them last Saturday. Penn State managed just one touchdown, before Wisconsin tightened up their defense, and shut the Nittany Lions down.

By halftime, the game was in hand for the Badgers. As the rain fell, Wisconsin fans had nothing to complain about. The Badgers are now on their way to the Big Ten Championship game. Big Ten tickets for that game are available now. They still have a shot at the Rose Bowl, as long as they win just one more game.