46. Wisconsin 49, Illinois 20 (2018)

The Badgers came in to the 2018 season with high aspirations, beginning the season at No. 4 in the polls. After two wins against subpar competition, the Badgers fell in a huge upset to BYU at Camp Randall Stadium. Following two wins at Iowa and at home against Nebraska, Wisconsin again took it on the chin in a 38-13 loss at Michigan with College Gameday in the house. The Badgers returned home to play 3-3 Illinois, which had given up at least 46 points in two of the last three games, including a 63-24 blowout loss to Penn State.

Wisconsin needed a pick-me-up following the Michigan blowout loss and it got just that. The Badgers hadn’t lost to the Fighting Illini since 2007 and in Camp Randall since 2002 and weren’t about to see those two streaks end. Wisconsin tallied 545 total yards and 357 rushing yards as the Badgers jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and rolled to a 49-20 win over the Illini.

 The game could not have started any better for the home team, as Wisconsin traveled 75 yards in 11 plays, capping off the drive with a 1-yard plunge from fullback Alec Ingold. The Badgers followed that up with an interception of AJ Bush, Jr. by linebacker T.J. Edwards, who returned it down to the Fighting Illini 25. Two plays later, Aron Cruickshank added to the lead with a 23-yard stroll to give Bucky a 14-0 advantage eight minutes into the game.

Illinois turned it over on three of its first four possessions, but Wisconsin just had the seven points to show for it. Rafael Gaglianone missed a 27-yard field goal following the final Illini turnover. Illinois gained confidence after the misfire, and it showed as star running back Reggie Corbin blasted 80 yards for a touchdown to cut the Badgers lead to 14-7.

The visitors could not keep that going, however, turning the ball over two more times on its next two drives, making it five in seven possessions. Illinois had a real chance to continue the comeback after its defense forced a 3-and-out following its touchdown, as the Illini started on their own 38 after the Badgers punt. Three plays later, the game changed when M.J. Rivers was picked off by Wisconsin nose tackle Olive Sagapolu. Jake Ferguson caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Alex Hornibrook to put away the game in the first half.

Another Illinois turnover set up Wisconsin’s final touchdown of the first half, as Hornibrook found tight end Kyle Penniston for an 11-yard score to give the Badgers a 28-7 advantage. They threatened to increase the lead before the half, but Hornibrook was picked off by Stanley Green, who returned it to the Badgers 40. That set up a Chase McLaughlin 52-yard field goal to finish the half with the Badgers in front 28-10.

Hornibrook did his best to keep the visitors in the game, as he threw an interception to Jimmy Marchese on Wisconsin’s first drive of the second half. Illinois traveled 43 yards in two plays, capped off by a Ra'Von Bonner 18-yard jaunt to cut to 11, and people thought, “game on!”

The Wisconsin quarterback responded with a huge throw to put the Badgers in position to answer. With the home team facing 3^rd-and-9 on its own 39 with Illinois on the brink of trimming it even further, Hornibrook found Danny Davis for a 22-yard gain to move it to the Illini 39. Taiwan Deal took the carry and ran 39 yards for the score on the very next play to answer the Illini. Illinois would get no closer.

The Deal touchdown run was the first of three consecutive drives that resulted in Wisconsin touchdowns, as Deal had another rushing touchdown and Ingold recorded a receiving touchdown and the Badgers had their blowout victory.

Unfortunately, the win was short-lived, as Wisconsin fell to eventual Big Ten West champion Northwestern 31-17 in Evanston, a place where Bucky has only won once this millennium. The Badgers alternated wins and losses the remainder of the season, but finished the year on a high note with a domination of Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl.