One more article that missed the cut for the WarCry:
The Wisconsin Badgers have had a great start to their season. They are led by senior quarterback, Russel Wilson, and junior running back, Montee Ball. Wisconsin has a 6-1 record on the season and are 2-1 in the Big Ten. They were ranked 6th in the BCS poll which is college football’s messed up system of ranking college football teams. That will change after losing a heart-breaker to Michigan State 37-31 on Saturday night.
Russel Wilson was a leading candidate for the Heisman trophy, but with the loss to Michigan State, those chances are very slim. So far on the year, he has 1,780 yards passing, 16 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a 73.2% completion percentage. He also has 32 carries for 212 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. Wilson has become the dual threat at quarterback that many top teams in the pro and college ranks have. He even caught a touchdown pass on a trick play.
Montee Ball is looking like a Heisman candidate himself, but his statistics have been overshadowed by Wilson’s. He has 125 carries for 768 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. Ball also has 9 catches for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns receiving. He has looked like an NFL running back that could leave a year early and take a shot in the draft. Wisconsin fans hope that he stays. In the latest mock draft, he is an expected 2nd round pick. He has the tools to be a great player in the NFL.
The Badgers lost a crucial game against a tough opponent in the #16 ranked Michigan State Spartans. They had many uncharacteristic Badger mistakes: a safety, 2 interceptions by Russell Wilson, a blocked punt for a touchdown, and a miracle hail-mary play that made them lose the game. They were down 14 points with about eight minutes to go. Jared Abbrederis had a long punt return that sparked a rally. A few plays later, Russell Wilson had a 22 yard touchdown run. The Badgers had a defensive stop, and then gave it right back to the Spartans when Russell Wilson was picked for the second time. The Badgers then stopped the Spartans again on defense. Russell Wilson led an amazing drive with a 42 yard pass to Nick Toon after he scrambled for what seemed like ages. That was capped off by a 2 yard touchdown pass to Montee Ball.
Michigan State was not done scoring though. With 29 seconds left, and the Spartans facing a 3rd and 8, the Badgers took a timeout in hopes of getting the ball back. Michigan State converted and drove to the 44 yard line with 9 seconds left. They used 5 seconds to have an incomplete pass while trying to get into field goal range. They had time for one more play. It was time for the Hail-Mary. Thid is a term in football that means every receiver runs to the end zone and the quarterback throws the ball as far and high as he can, praying that his receiver will end up with it (hence hail-mary). In response to this, the Badgers put three safeties on the goal line. One of them was Jared Abbrederis, the team’s second leading wide receiver.
The play begins. Kirk Cousins, the Michigan State quarterback, scrambles around and nearly gets sacked. He launches a 55 yard pass as the clock expires. Jared Abbrederis mistimes his jump and tips the football. It bounces off of one of the Michigan State’s receiver’s helmet, and falls into the hands of wide receiver, Keith Nichol. There is a battle between him and Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor who is trying to keep him from scoring. He is tackled, and the referees say that he is just short. Meanwhile Michigan State’s stadium erupts.
The referees go to the replay booth to determine if the football crossed the goal line during the scramble. After a few minutes of watching replay after replay, the announcers are not even sure. Then the news: the call has been reversed and the referee raises his hands indicating a touchdown. Michigan State goes nuts and is celebrating the win, while the look of disbelief on Badgers coach Brett Bielema’s face tells the story for the Badgers. After watching the replay at least 20 times, I am convinced that it was a touchdown, but it took 20 times for me to be convinced. If the roles would have been reversed, and the Badgers would have caught the pass for a touchdown to win the game, I know I would have believed it was a touchdown immediately without even seeing a replay. Because it was such a shocking, unbelievable play for the “bad guys,” I can guarantee many Badgers fans still do not believe it was a touchdown.
This loss is not the end of the season for the Badgers. Their chance at a National Championship is certainly eliminated though. Wisconsin still has a chance to win the Big Ten conference and go to the next biggest game, the Rose Bowl. That is what they played in last year. This loss is certainly shocking and hard to swallow, but it is not the end. The Badgers are still an elite college football team that is ranked in the top 25 of the country. They have many talented players that are ready to lead them to a Rose Bowl.
No comments:
Post a Comment