No. 6 Wisconsin runs roughshod over Michigan
Wisconsin's throwback style of football pushed the program one step closer to its first Big Ten title since 1999.
Montee Ball and James White combined for 354 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns, helping the sixth-ranked Badgers pound Michigan in a 48-28 victory Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.
“We're playing as good as anybody out there,” coach Bret Bielema said.
If the Badgers (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) beat Northwestern next week at home, they'll win at least a share of the title and likely earn a trip to a BCS bowl.
Michigan State, which handed Wisconsin its only loss, rallied from a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Purdue and stay atop the Big Ten standings with the Badgers.
“Michigan State sure could've helped us I mean Purdue could've,” Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez said.
The Badgers have done plenty for themselves by beating Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa in the same season for the first time since 1959.
Wisconsin, which hadn't won at the Big House since 1994, built a 24-0 lead at halftime against the Wolverines (7-4, 3-4) and essentially traded scores in the second half.
The Badgers ran early, often and all over left, right and middle with a lot of success behind a huge and experienced offensive line that created huge holes against Michigan's three-man fronts and blitzes.
“I said, ‘They can't stop our run game,'” Bielema recalled telling his players. “Point blank, it's just that simple.”
Ball ran for 173 yards and 4 TDs on 29 carries. White had a career-high 181 yards rushing and 2 scores on 23 carries. They became the second pair of Badgers to run for 150-plus yards in a game, joining Billy Marek (226) and Ken Starch (184) who did it against Wyoming in 1973.
“Wisconsin has always been built off the running game,” White said. “It's a dream school.”
Penn St. 41, Indiana 24:
Matt McGloin threw for 315 yards and 2 touchdowns, James Van Fleet returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, and Penn State found the nation's capital to be a satisfactory home away from home as the Nittany Lions (7-4, 4-3 Big Ten) beat Indiana (4-7, 0-7) in Landover, Md.
Van Fleet's 21-yard return broke a 24-24 tie in the third quarter as Penn State survived after blowing an early 14-point lead to give coach Joe Paterno his 401st career victory. Indiana lost its 12th straight conference game.