Countdown to Wisconsin/LSU; 50. Wisconsin 23, Fresno State 21

We are officially 50 days away from the start of the Wisconsin Badgers season as they take on LSU at Lambeau Field on Sept. 3, so I have decided to do a countdown of my top 50 memorable wins since the 2000 season. I start the countdown with the game in which the current Badgers defensive backs coach broke onto the national scene.

50. Wisconsin 23, Fresno State 21 (2002)

The previous season, Wisconsin played Fresno State in the non-conference season and the Badgers blew a 20-10 halftime lead, falling to future top overall pick David Carr and the Bulldogs 32-20. Wisconsin was out for revenge and the Badgers unleashed its new weapon in safety Jim Leonhard. In his first career start, the sophomore had two interceptions and the game-clinching pass breakup to help the Badgers avoid a second straight upset at the hands of Fresno State.

On Fresno State’s opening possession, Leonhard picked off a pass over the middle and returned it deep into Bulldogs territory. Wisconsin went onto miss a field goal following the turnover. Fresno State used two completions to Bernard Berrian to score the first points of the game. In the 2001 meeting, Berrian’s 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half jump started Fresno State to the upset win. In this game. however, Berrian sprained his knee on a punt return late in the first quarter. He would miss the remainder of the game.

Wisconsin answered with 10 points in the second quarter to take the lead 10-7 at halftime. The touchdown came off a 1-yard run by fullback Matt Bernstein to tie it up early in the second quarter. The score came directly after a bad snap to Fresno State quarterback Jeff Grady went back near the end zone and recovered by Wisconsin’s Jake Sprague at the Fresno State 1.

On Wisconsin’s first possession of the third quarter, sophomore running back Anthony Davis fumbled, leading to a short field for Fresno State, which it took advantage of. Grady found Adam Jennings in the end zone on third and goal to give the lead back to the Bulldogs.

Wisconsin came right back to take the lead on another Bernstein touchdown. On a 3rd and 17 from its 39, Brooks Bollinger found freshman wide receiver Brandon Williams for a 17 yard completion for the first down. A personal foul on Fresno State on the play put the ball on the 29. Seven plays later, Bernstein found the end zone from three yards out to put Bucky back on top. The Badgers took that 17-14 lead into the fourth quarter.

After a Wisconsin field goal early in the fourth put the Badgers up six, Wisconsin’s Jerone Pettus fumbled deep in Badgers territory. A Fresno State touchdown from Grady to Alec Greco put the Bulldogs back on top two plays later.

On the following possession, Wisconsin was forced with a 3rd and 11 from the Fresno State 36. Bollinger ran for eight yards to put the Badgers in better field possession. With just over five minutes to play, Mike Allen set up for a field goal to put the Badgers ahead. Allen’s kick sailed wide right......but Wisconsin was given another opportunity as Fresno State was flagged for offsides on the play, giving the Badgers new life, not to mention an extra set of downs.

Seven plays later, Allen was given another chance, from a more manageable 34 yards. The kick was good and the Badgers took the lead with 2:05 left.

The Bulldogs started at their own 9, but drove to midfield on three passes. On second down, Grady was whistled for intentional grounding, which all but put an end to their hopes. On 4th and 19, Leonhard broke up a pass intended for Marque Davis to give the Badgers the ball and to seal the deal for No. 25 Wisconsin.

That would be the start of a fantastic season for Leonhard. He would lead the nation with 11 interceptions and help the Badgers to an eight win season, including an upset over No. 14 Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.