Wisconsin delivered a statement performance in its 42-7 win over Rutgers on Saturday.
It is the team’s second blowout victory in as many weeks, signaling possible improvement — if not a full-on resurgence — under head coach Luke Fickell. The 4-2 overall record and 2-1 record in Big Ten play is important, but not as critical as the team’s fantastic form entering a pivotal portion of the schedule.
Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin Badgers blowout win over Rutgers
Wisconsin’s dominance was led by an offensive unit that finished the afternoon with 549 total yards — 240 passing and 309 rushing. It was another all-around effort from the offensive line to the skill players. It is a real signal that Phil Longo’s air raid attack is gaining some traction in its second season at the program.
For more on the biggest individual contributors to the victory, and some not-so-fantastic performances, here are our studs and duds from Wisconsin’s dominant win over Rutgers:
STUD: Tawee Walker
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) carries the ball during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Tawee Walker had a career afternoon, totaling 198 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 24 carries. His total is the highest for a Wisconsin running back since Braelon Allen in 2021, and the highest road total since Jonathan Taylor’s trip to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2019.
Walker had already emerged as Wisconsin’s clear RB1. He’s now ascending toward becoming one of the best running backs in the conference.
STUD: The offensive line
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Darrion Dupree (13) celebrates his touchdown run with offensive lineman Jake Renfro (57) during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
No rushing performance is complete without strong play from the offensive line. Saturday was just another instance of the position group being the strength of the 2024 Badgers team. It led the offense to 309 total rushing yards, 6.6 yards per carry and allowed only one sack.
Credit to OL coach A.J. Blazek, who has done a fantastic job with the veteran group. It looks like the best Wisconsin offensive line since 2019.
DUD: Nathanial Vakos
Jan 1, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers punter Gavin Meyers (28) holds the ball for Wisconsin Badgers place kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
It’s hard to find true ‘duds’ from an all-around victory. Kicker Nathanial Vakos will qualify after he missed his only field goal attempt of the afternoon.
STUD: Preston Zachman
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball as Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Aaron Witt (59) and safety Preston Zachman (14) pursue during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Preston Zachman had his best game of the season on Saturday, finishing with 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. He has been an unsung hero of the Wisconsin defense to date, forming an excellent safety duo with star Hunter Wohler.
DUD: Hunter Wohler (the punt returner)
Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) runs through a drill during fall training camp at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023.
Again, it’s hard to find true ‘duds’ from a great team win.
Wohler had a strong afternoon as the leader of the Badgers’ defense. He’s on this list only as a punt returner, as he nearly muffed Rutgers’ second punt of the afternoon. His inclusion on this list is more of a comment on Wisconsin’s general punt unit. It has been a weak point of the team thus far with several players having muffed kicks.
At least Wohler dove on the loose ball, then proceeded to catch each of Rutgers’ remaining punts.
STUD: Nyzier Fourqurean
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (3) celebrates after a defense stop during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Fourqurean had a fantastic afternoon against Rutgers. He finished with two key solo tackles and one pass deflection. Each of his plays on the ball came at big moments when Rutgers was attempting to extend a drive. He stood out as one of Wisconsin’s best players of the afternoon.
DUD: The entire Rutgers team
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano walks on the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Not sure what else can be said about the Rutgers team that was 4-0 two weeks ago, and just looked the way it did against the Badgers.
Head coach Greg Schiano said postgame the team ‘couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time.’ Whatever that means, I agree.
STUD: Elijah Hills + Wisconsin’s defensive line
Wisconsin defensive lineman Elijah Hills (94) battles with an offensive lineman during the team’s 14th spring practice, which was held Tuesday morning April 30, 2024 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
Hills was a key force on Wisconsin’s defensive line yet again against Rutgers. He finished with just two tackles, but his presence was clear as Rutgers star RB Kyle Monangai struggled to find any consistent running room.
The Badgers’ 4th-and-1 stop inside their own red zone defined the day on defense. Hills was a big part of that effort.
DUD: Athan Kaliakmanis
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) throws the ball during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
A final passing stat line of 12 for 32 completions, 103 yards, 0 touchdowns and one interception is forgettable, to say the least. It is far from the career day that Kaliakmanis had against the Badgers as a Minnesota Golden Gopher two years ago.
STUD: Vinny Anthony
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) catches the ball during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Another week, another batch of explosive receptions from WR Vinny Anthony. He led the team in receiving with 81 yards. His presence on the outside has made a big difference for Phil Longo’s offensive attack.
STUD: Wisconsin’s coaching staff
Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Luke Fickell, Phil Longo and Mike Tressel deserve credit after that performance. The team showed signs of struggle, but it got better as the afternoon continued — a sign of good coaching. The biggest takeaway from the win is that the Badgers are turning a corner and improving every week. That, again, is a testament to the coaching staff.
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