Week 1 Game Recap

Wisconsin wins in Boise 31-28 on the strength of the ground game, and timely defensive plays. First quarter started off with Boise driving right down the field scoring a TD. Wisconsin then answered right back with a 4 yard Montee Ball run. Wisconsin suffered a sprained elbow to RB James White on the series and will be gone for 1 Week. One of the timely plays by Wisconsin came on the next Boise St. series when QB Kellen Moore on a CB blitz was hit and intercepted by MLB Culmer St. Jean. Wisconsin went right down the field again, and scored on another TD by Montee Ball, this of the 2 yard variety. On the very next Boise St. Series, Kellen Moore threw up a 60 yard jump ball which was intercepted by CB Antonio Fenelus. Wisconsin looking to take a commanding lead, was driving down the field when John Clay was hit and fumbled. Right after this happened, I found out star Running Back Montee Ball ruptured his Achilles and is out for the remainder of the season. Boise St then went down and scored a TD right after the Clay fumble. On the next series with just under 2 min left, Scott Tolzien had TE Kendricks open down the middle of the field on a little stick-nod that was thrown a tad too low and was intercepted, and before you knew it Boise St had a 21-14 lead before half, when it was looking to turn into a blowout with Wisconsin driving up a td and starting to dominate. Wisconsin came out strong in the 3rd opening with a TD drive capped off by a 22 yard Nick Toon reception. But like usual, Boise answered back with another TD. But not resilient Wisconsin comes back with a TD drive, capped off by relatively unknown running back Zach Brown, a 31 yarder, with 20 seconds left in the 3rd.
The 4th started off with Boise St ball at their own 30. A few plays went by and again it looked like Boise was on their way to their usual answer as they were to about my 40 yard line. Then on a second down, Moore dropped back, and Wisconsin dropped 8 in coverage. With no pass rush Moore had all the time in the world, but coverage was great, and he launched one into the endzone where CB Niles Brinkley intercepted the ball and kneeled for a touchback. Then Wisconsins offense went on a rampage starting at the 6:49 mark of the 4th, they went on a 15 yard drive going 57 yards where during the drive, Wisconsin converted a big 4th and one at about midfield. Wisconsin then got into good field goal position at Boise's 13 and set up for a 30 yard field goal with 2 seconds left. Boise then used all 3 of their time outs to try to ice K Philip Welch, but the kick went right down the middle to win the game.

Stats

Passing
Scott Tolzien 7-13 126 yds 1 TD 1 INT

Rushing
John Clay 32 att 130 yards
Montee Ball 7 carries 51 yards 2 TD
Zach Brown 3 att 35 yards 1 TD
James White 2 att 35 yards

Receiving
Nick Toon 5 Rec 90 yards 1 TD
Lance Kendricks 1 Rec 26 yards
Isaac Anderson 1 rec 10 yards

Notes: 3 huge interceptions for Wisconsin in an otherwise poor defensive showing. Montee Ball and James White both on pace for huge days before getting injured; White for 1 week and Ball for the rest of the season. James Avery of Boise St. had 8 broken tackles in a huge day where he had 18 att and 165 yards. It seemed more like 18 broken tackles.

Overall, a huge win for Wisconsin to open the season right, and hopefully this will help recruits as I am not looking to have too hot of year on the recruiting trails.