(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – The Wisconsin football team extended its win streak to four games with a dominant 31-3 performance against Michigan State on Saturday.
Quarterback Colton Joseph scrambled for 141 rushing yards, including a 47-yard score, and found tight end Jacob Harris and wide receiver Malachi Coleman for three total touchdown receptions.
The Badgers (4-1, 2-0 Big Ten) marched down the field on the game’s opening drive to take an early 7-0 lead. Joseph rushed for 39 yards on the drive before finding Harris for a 20-yard touchdown.
Wisconsin’s defense picked up where it left off after last week’s performance against Penn State. DL Charles Perkins recorded his first sack as a Badger, and CB Javan Robinson broke up a pass on fourth-and-long to force a turnover on downs.
On the ensuing drive, Joseph and Harris connected for their second touchdown of the game, extending Wisconsin’s lead to 14-0 late in the first quarter. The 15-yard score marked the first multi-touchdown game of Harris’ career.
LB Cooper Catalano broke up a pass to cause the Spartans (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) to turn the ball over on downs for the second consecutive drive. K Gavin Lahm knocked in a 30-yard field goal to extend the Badger lead to 17 points.
After exchanging punts, Michigan State put its first points on the board with a successful 31-yard field goal. Wisconsin took the 17-3 lead into half.
Wisconsin’s defense opened the second half with its third fourth-down stop of the game. LB Mason Posa made the solo tackle to keep the Spartans from converting. The Badgers took advantage of the strong field position, finding the end zone three plays later courtesy of Joseph’s 47-yard touchdown run.
Michigan State was stopped on its sixth fourth-down try of the game when CB Bryce West broke up a pass. The Badgers took another trip to the end zone on the ensuing drive as Joseph found WR Malachi Coleman for a 46-yard touchdown completion for the final score of the game.
Joseph ended the day with 145 passing yards and four touchdowns, including a rushing score. His 141 rushing yards are the second-most in a single game by a quarterback in Wisconsin football history. Harris caught two touchdown passes for the first time in his career and Coleman caught his second touchdown of the season.
Joseph talked about why he was able to be so good on the ground.
He talked about the feeling in the lockerroom.
Joseph talked about the bye week ahead, followed by a trip to UCLA.
Joseph talked about his connection with Harris.
Catalano and Posa combined for 19 tackles to lead the Wisconsin defense, while Perkins and Thomas Heiberger each recorded a sack. The Badgers also tallied a season-high eight pass breakups, with eight different players contributing one apiece.
Posa talked about the message in the locker room.
Posa said that the bye week comes at a good time.
Up Next: After a week off, Wisconsin goes west to face No. 23 UCLA in Pasadena on Oct.17. The Badgers return to Camp Randall Stadium to host USC on Saturday, Oct. 24.
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