47. Wisconsin 20, Arizona State 19 (2010)

The Badgers were predicted by some to be a candidate to represent the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin looked good in its opener before struggling in the second game against San Jose State, only winning 27-14. Wisconsin played Arizona State in its first real test of the season. With Wisconsin leading 20-13 late in the game, Arizona State’s Cameron Marshall ran in from two yards out to cut the Badgers lead to one. But the extra point was blocked by Wisconsin safety Jay Valai and Bucky held on for the one point victory.

After a pair of missed field goals on each team’s opening drive of the game, Wisconsin was able to connect the next try as Philip Welch connected on a 49-yard field goal to put the Badgers on the board first. But that lead did not last as Omar Bolden returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for the score to put the Sun Devils on top.

The teams traded field goals on the following possessions, so Arizona State had a 10-6 lead late in the half before the Badgers scored a touchdown right before the end of the half to give the Badgers a 13-10 lead.

However, Arizona State had already returned one kick for a touchdown on the day, and the Sun Devils nearly had another. ASU’s Kyle Middlebrooks fielded the kick from Welch at the 4 and found an opening and raced down the sideline heading toward the end zone. But Wisconsin reserve defensive back Shelton Johnson never gave up on the play and raced down the field to bring down Middlebrooks at the 1-yard line with the clock at all zeros and Wisconsin escaped with a 13-10 halftime lead.

The Sun Devils tied it up with a field goal early in the third quarter. Wisconsin recaptured the lead late in the third on a John Clay 19-yard rush. The Badgers blew right down the field on the drive, going 88 yards in eight plays to give the Badgers the 20-13 lead.

It stayed that way until Arizona State took over after a Wisconsin punt a little past halfway through the final quarter. The Sun Devils had a drive of nine plays, going 77 yards, ending with a Marshall run of two yards to cut it to 20-19. Then, Valai broke through the line on the extra point try and blocked Thomas Weber’s attempt, keeping the Badgers in front.

Wisconsin was able to run out the clock, converting a third down conversion along the way and the Badgers escaped to go to 3-0, setting the tone for a memorable season that ended with a Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl berth.