Jonathan Taylor nearly had a day for the record books. For the second straight game, the freshman running back amassed over 200 yards of rushing. He nearly was the first true freshman to rush for 1,000 yards in six games missing the number by 14 yards. Some of the players who’ve done in seven are Emmitt Smith and Marshall Faulk which are pretty good running backs to be associated with in football. But the Badgers struggled mightily out there with mistake after mistake letting Purdue have a shot at this game late. This is one that should not be looked at fondly.

Mistakes nearly cost Badgers
Wisconsin did not have a good afternoon. Whether it was the gross Madison weather or the team laid an egg after a big win at Nebraska, they did not play their best football on Saturday. How the Badgers defense held a potent Purdue offense to only nine points is a modern miracle. Badgers turned the ball over three times with two being close or in the red zone then a blocked punt as well. This type of game will get you beat by other teams. Thankfully, the defense stood up.

Defense answers the bell
Great game from Jim Leonard’s bunch on Saturday afternoon. This team had to fight through short fields and bad situations all game long, yet they did not allow a touchdown on Saturday. That’s extremely impressive from this Badgers squad whose defense has not been at the elite level yet I think they showed what’s possible on Saturday. They could also be coming into their own after injuries banged them up early on in the season.

TJ Edwards targeting call was absurd
Once again, we had a bullshit targeting call in college football. T.J. Edwards tried to stop a Purdue defender on fourth and six with a clean hit on player coming across the middle. He could honestly do nothing else, but the officials determined it was malicious in nature. I’m pleading with the NCAA to come up with a policy that’s like the card system in soccer. It would be much easier that way.

Next up
Wisconsin stays home for a meeting with Maryland. This is the Terrapins first trip to Wisconsin since 2014 when the Badgers absolutely shellacked them. This Terps team is tough though, and better than that 2014 squad. They put up a decent fight versus Northwestern last week. D.J. Moore is a real problem for defenses.

Charlie.