PHOENIX (AP) Wisconsin had a brand new coach on the sideline, with the interim coach nonetheless calling the pictures. The Badgers had a number of new gamers in key positions, together with quarterback.
An extended, sometimes-difficult season got here to a conclusion with extra adversity – and, ultimately, a win.
A 17-point lead almost erased, Wisconsin dug down for one final defensive play to beat Oklahoma State 24-17 within the Assured Charge Bowl on Tuesday night time.
”It ended precisely the best way we wished it to – we obtained the win,” mentioned Braelon Allen, who ran for 116 yards and scored on a 20-yard landing.
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Luke Fickell, employed away from Cincinnati after a visit to the Faculty Soccer Playoff final season, joined the staff on the sideline for the bowl recreation. He wasn’t there to run the present, although; all the choices have been left to interim coach Jim Leonhard.
The Badgers had all the things working within the first half. The offense had steadiness, the protection stifling whereas they constructed a 17-point lead.
Within the second half, Wisconsin (7-6) slowed down on the slippery Chase Discipline turf and the protection began giving up chunk performs because the Cowboys rode their manner again.
Cedrick Dort lastly ended Oklahoma State’s momentum, intercepting Garret Rangel’s move with three minutes left, preserving the Badgers’ eighth win of their previous 9 bowl video games.
”That is what I envisioned what this was about from afar,” Fickell mentioned. ”And that is what they’ve proven me during the last three and a half weeks: they wish to be right here, they wish to do it collectively they usually wish to do it the correct manner.”
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The Cowboys misplaced 4 of 5 to shut out the common season and struggled offensively whereas falling right into a 24-7 gap halfway via the third quarter. Rangel had the lone offensive spotlight within the first half with an enormous help from Stephon Johnson Jr., who broke a few tackles to show a swing move into an 84-yard landing.
”We had the one massive play, however aside from that we weren’t in a position to maintain something,” Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy mentioned.
Rangel led Oklahoma State again, throwing for 229 yards and two touchdowns rather than Spencer Sanders, who entered the switch portal.
The freshman improvised on a fourth-and-goal by shoveling a move to Ollie Gordon whereas within the grasp of a defender to open the fourth quarter and arrange Tanner Brown’s 24-yard subject objective to tug the Cowboys to 24-17.
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With momentum again on Oklahoma State’s facet, Rangel tried make an enormous play downfield after one other Oklahoma State second-half defensive cease. Dort pulled it again to the Badgers by reducing inside John Paul Richardson for what ended up being the game-clinching interception.
”We got here out right here with somewhat little bit of a diminished roster and new guys have been concerned, and we needed to type of discover our manner,” Gundy mentioned. ”Guys competed observe onerous for 3 weeks. Had an ideal week of observe out right here, so I used to be pleased with them.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Oklahoma State: the Cowboys revved up their offense somewhat too late to mount the comeback, leaving coach Mike Gundy at 9 bowl wins, tied for seventh place on the profession record.
Wisconsin: the Badgers had a brand new coach on the sideline and several other new gamers a key positions, together with quarterback. Wisconsin grinded out the win after its offense stalled, sending Leonhard off with a win.
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WOLF’S TURN
Among the many many modifications Wisconsin confronted was at quarterback after Graham Mertz, a three-year starter, entered the switch portal.
The Badgers turned to fifth-year starter Chris Wolf, who tried six passes earlier than arriving within the desert.
Wolf had some success on brief passes early and located Hayden Rucci on a 15-yard TD move within the second quarter. He additionally threw an interception ultimately zone on Wisconsin’s second drive and completed 16 of 26 for 116 yards.
”Chase performed properly. He managed what he might management, he took pictures and I by no means noticed him bat a watch,” Fickell mentioned.
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UP NEXT
Wisconsin: Fickell will proceed to fill out his employees and roster after shedding a number of gamers who declared for the NFL draft or went into the switch portal. Wolf will likely be again and have momentum on his facet after successful a bowl recreation.
Oklahoma State: The bowl expertise ought to assist Rangel headed into subsequent season, when he would be the frontrunner to be the beginning quarterback. A lot of the Cowboys’ ability gamers needs to be again, too.
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Extra AP faculty soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Join the AP’s faculty soccer publication: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) -With the cut of a ribbon, the holiday festivities began in Wisconsin Rapids.
This year, they started the night with a bridge lighting ceremony to celebrate the new lights that were installed on bridges downtown.
Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher says, “It is beautiful, you see it in other cities around the state that have spent the money on making it happen.”
The lights took four months to install and will be a permanent fixture in the community, used for celebrations and events in the future.
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Soon, other lights came into view as the holiday parade kicked off. From fire trucks to beloved characters, it’s a perfect holiday tradition.
Brennan Agen, who brought his children to the parade, said, “The excitement in everybody and the holiday spirit just brings cheer to everybody.”
This year, organizers wanted to bring a little extra to the event. From the bridge lighting ceremony, a food truck, and around 70 floats, there was plenty to enjoy. Even a special after party with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Some favorites from the kids were the trucks, and of course, the candy.
Former Wisconsin basketball guard Chucky Hepburn put together his best performance of the 2024-25 season in the Louisville Cardinals’ blowout win over No. 14 Indiana on Wednesday.
As one of eight teams competing in the Battle 4 Atlantis non-conference tournament, Louisville decimated the No. 14-ranked Hoosiers 89-61 on Wednesday morning.
Hepburn was absolutely electric on both sides of the floor. In 29 minutes of action, the former Badger star registered 16 points, a season-high 10 assists and seven steals. Those numbers came on 7-of-10 shooting and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Through five games with the Cardinals, Hepburn is responsible for averages of 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.8 steals in over 27 minutes per game. As of Nov. 27, his 3.8 swipes per contest are the second-best in the nation behind only UC San Diego’s Hayden Gray (3.86 SPG).
Hepburn, who flashed his defensive brilliance during his tenure in Madison, is morphing into one of college basketball’s most pesky perimeter defenders. He is also proving his worth on the offensive end — the guard is shooting over 51% from the floor for the Cardinals to start the season.
In 103 career appearances with Wisconsin from 2021-24, the point guard averaged 32.1 minutes per game, 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals on 42% shooting and 36% from three-point range.
In his absence, the Badgers have leaned on star wing John Tonje and sophomore guard John Blackwell. Wisconsin is off to a red-hot 8-0 start to the season and currently sits at No. 15 in the latest AP Poll.
The Minnesota Golden Gophers, losers of two straight will look to finish the 2024 regular season on a high note on Friday afternoon when they travel to Madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers enter Friday with a 5-6 record and are in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time in 22 years.
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Wisconsin 2024 Schedule & Betting Trends
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WISCONSIN OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE RANKINGS
The second year of Luke Fickell era not going to plan
The Badgers had hoped the second year of the Luke Fickell era would be more fruitful. After a 7-6 season last year, the Badgers went into the transfer portal this offseason and upgraded their quarterback position by nabbing former Miami (FL) starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Van Dyke would play in just two full games before suffering a season-ending injury against Alabama in the third week of the season. Since then, the Huskers have looked towards redshirt freshman Braedyn Locke to lead the offense. As with most young quarterbacks, the results have been mixed. This season, Locke has completed 56.4% of his passes for 1,806 yards and 12 touchdowns while throwing 10 interceptions.
Overall, the Badgers started the season off 2-0 with wins over Western Michigan and South Dakota before falling to Alabama and USC. In October, it appeared that Fickell’s program was finding its stride with four straight wins over Purdue, Rutgers, and Northwestern but have since lost four straight games.
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The Badgers made a change at OC midseason
The Badgers fired their offensive coordinator, Phil Longo, earlier this month following a 16-13 loss to the Oregon Ducks. Longo came to Madison with the hopes of bringing the Air Raid offense to the Big Ten, but the transition to the offense has been largely unsuccessful for the Badgers.
This season, the Badgers are averaging just 24.7 points per game, their lowest mark since 2004. Additionally, their passing attack has only garnered 202.7 yards per game ranking 93rd nationally, their rushing attack is slightly better when it comes to nationally ranked with 164.4 yards per game, ranking 65th.
In their first game without Longo last weekend against Nebraska, the Huskers totaled 25 points and 407 yards from scrimmage including 292 passing yards.
SERIES HISTORY
Friday will be the 134th meeting between the two programs since their first meeting in 1890. Through the first 133 matchups, the series is as tight as possible with Wisconsin holding a 63-8-62 advantage over the Gophers. The Gophers for a long time held the series advantage but a 14-game winning streak from 2004 through 2017, shifted the series in favor of Wisconsin. The Gophers over the P.J. Fleck era have been working to even it back up, doing so in 2022 with a a 23-16 win in Madison before the Badgers reclaimed the lead with a 28-14 win last season.
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