Halftime observations: Badgers running game is slowed but they still lead. What we learned in first half

The rain held off within the first half because the College of Wisconsin hosted Washington State Saturday inside Camp Randall Stadium.

Each offenses confirmed efficiency by means of the air, as they entered the locker rooms with the Badgers main 14-7.

Listed below are three observations from the primary half.

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Washington State’s offense, a variation of the Air Raid scheme, provided UW a novel problem this week. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has usually deployed a nickel bundle when groups attempt to unfold the Badgers out, however on Saturday, the unit began in a dime bundle (six defensive backs) when the Cougars went to what seemed to be a 4 large receiver set.

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Not less than one occasion included a “1-4-6” look, consisting of 1 defensive lineman, 4 linebackers and 6 defensive backs. UW confirmed a nickel look (two defensive linemen, 4 linebackers, 5 defensive backs) when Washington State utilized a decent finish on the sphere.

It began off shaky with a 43-yard reception off a display screen cross that included dangerous tackling. UW clamped down thereafter on that possession, and Max Lofy’s interception nullified any scoring alternative for quarterback Cameron Ward and the Wazzu offense.

The Badgers gave up 107 passing yards within the first two quarters. The Cougars gained 81 of these on two “chunk” performs — the second being a 38-yard completion to tight finish Billy Riviere III.

Credit score to Washington State within the first half on locking down the UW dashing assault. The Badgers will not be getting the push it needs on the road in keeping with State Journal colleague and former school lineman Colten Bartholomew. The Badgers rushed for 99 yards on 24 carries, a 4.1 per-carry common.

Sophomore operating again Braelon Allen began gradual and appeared hesitant at occasions till UW’s first full drive of the second quarter, gaining solely 52 yards on 10 carries within the first half. A 17-yard run on the Badgers’ first scoring drive confirmed promise of the 18-year-old breaking out additional.

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Mellusi seemed extra decisive to find the outlet and operating north to south, although he solely gained 35 yards on 10 carries.

UW’s protection allowed a landing to former teammate Nakia Watson, however the Badgers rebounded in two of their ultimate three offensive drives of the half to take the lead.

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One query with quarterback Graham Mertz heading into this season was how constant the third-year starter might grow to be and the way dynamic that would make the offense. The Kansas native answered the decision early on this recreation, ending the half finishing 13 of twenty-two passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns.

He related with seven receiving targets, and on the 2 scoring drives, he completed 4 of seven for 83 yards alone.

A welcomed signal for the protection got here the place UW compelled a three-and-out, aided by a Kamo’i Latu sack. The Badgers offense drove down the sphere in a five-play, 45-yard drive. Mertz related with UCLA switch Keontez Lewis for a 40-yard achieve all the way down to the WSU 5. After a delay of recreation penalty and an incomplete cross, Mertz confirmed poise below stress to hit tight finish Clay Cundiff for a 10-yard landing to take their first lead.

Cundiff caught three passes for 35 yards and the 2 touchdowns.