Michigan Takes Major Loss at Home Against No.13 Wisconsin

Saturday night was a terrible time to be a Wolverine as they were handed a beating by the Badgers in a 38-point deficit in the Big House. It was clear by the game’s progression that Michigan head coach Joe Harbaugh would probably need to find a new game plan… soon.

After over a dozen players and staff members tested positive for Covid-19, Wisconsin was forced to put a pause on all football routines starting October 28. Additional positive tests would follow on November 3, canceling out now two games in a row.

The Badgers would go over a week without workouts, not beginning group conditioning activities until November 6 & 7. Not starting until November 9, it would be almost two weeks before the team would begin a regular practice week.

As Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz was among the positive tests on October 28, he had just barely been cleared to play on Saturday night.

The expectations for the Badgers were mixed as they hadn’t had a football game since October 23, which at this point had been three weeks ago!

Unlike their opponents, practice and play had not been stopped for Michigan.

However, Michigan would have other concerns. At the forefront was not only the decision-making ability by quarterback Joe Milton but also his accuracy.

After winning the coin toss, Wisconsin would produce a failed four-minute drive to open the half.

Things would, however, turn quickly for Wisconsin.

Michigan’s Joe Milton would throw an interception only seven seconds later on the following drive. This would put the ball at the Michigan 33, almost gifting Wisconsin with the touchdown!

The Badgers would do just that. Sophomore wide receiver Chimere Dike would make a catch and run for 30 yards. With only 3 yards left to gain, he all but guaranteed the TD for his team. Sophomore running back, Nakia Watson would lunge into the end zone to gain the final needed yardage for the touchdown! Collin Larsh’s kick was good.

With the ball back in Michigan’s hands, things would only get worse. In just under two minutes of the Wolverines second drive, Milton would throw another interception! This time at the Michigan 14!

As Milton tried to connect with his receiver, he must have completely missed the linebacker that stood right in front of him. Milton’s pass connected to Wisconsin sophomore linebacker Leo Chenal like a magnet. It was so perfect, you almost would have thought Chenal was the intended receiver.

Standing at 6’5”, it’s hard to believe height was an issue for Milton. Dressed in navy and yellow, in contrast to his opponents in white and red, it’s hard to believe attire was either.

Oddly enough, it would be the receivers to take heat from Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. Gattis made the case that it was their blame to take for the play that had just unfolded.

All that could be hoped for was that Michigan head coach Joe Harbaugh would step in.

After receiving their second present of the night, Wolverines were on a high and ready to find their way back into the end zone. Mertz would convert on 3rddown passing for 10 yards to Dike. Senior fullback Mason Stokke would break away to make the easy 1-yard reception to follow.

The kick from Larsh was good, bringing the score to 14-0. The Badgers were up two touchdowns in just under three minutes without having to steal a thing.

Michigan, clearly still shaken up by their prior drive, would have no answer in their next.

One of Wisconsin’s most valuable assets, senior wide receiver Danny Davis III would start the next drive gaining 18 yards for his team. After a pair of runs, three needed passes from Mertz, and Davis III second 1stdown, there was only one yard left to gain for the team’s third touchdown to close the 1stquarter.

Stokke would start the second quarter running into the end zone, extending his team’s lead 21-0.

Michigan would forfeit another scoring opportunity as Joe Milton’s confidence would continue to get the best of him.

Wisconsin had no condolences to give. The Badgers would use the next three minutes, six plays, and 74 yards to add yet another touchdown!

Freshman running back Jalen Berger would rush for 25 yards, Mertz would connect to Dike for 19, and to top it off, Michigan would offer 15 as sophomore defensive back D.J. Turner would receive a passing interference penalty on Davis III. Watson would finish it all off in a 10-yard run, pushing through defenders like a train right into the end zone!

The score would stick at 28-0 at intermission.

In the first half, Wisconsin would have four touchdowns in four possessions, while Michigan had not yet even gained a first down!

This was the largest deficit Michigan had faced at halftime of a home game since 1927.

Wherever blame was to be placed, the Wolverine offense would have to shape up quickly to somehow escape the nightmare they were currently living.

Michigan would begin the first half with possession.

On the opening play, Milton would launch a perfect pass to junior wide receiver Ronnie Bell for 21 yards and his team’s first 1stdown. Milton would find a target in Bell again, gaining 12 yards. Sophomore running back Zach Charbonnet would run for 14 yards.

The Wolverines progress would be cut short as Milton would throw three incomplete passes in a row, forcing his team to settle for a field goal. Senior Quinn Nordin would thankfully be good from the 46, and with that, Michigan was finally on the board 28-3.

Michigan’s defense would then attempt a stop on Wisconsin’s next drive. Michigan junior defensive back Gemon Green would keep his hand focused on the ball as he made the tackle on Davis III, Mertz’ intended receiver. Green managed to get the ball loose, not giving up on the play, and his teammate senior linebacker Josh Ross would recover it.

It would leave a nervous Davis III on the sidelines. The fumble was reviewed before being reversed to an incomplete pass. Davis III signaled up a finger to the heavens, thankful that he would not be responsible for dismantling what his team had so far accomplished.

After about eight minutes of no scoring, Wisconsin was ready to make a change.

With four minutes left in the 3rd quarter, Mertz would end his five play, 44-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Jake Ferguson. This would make Ferguson’s 4thtouchdown of the year and a solid one at that, in light of the brace, he sported on his left arm. Wisconsin was now up 35-3.

Michigan would make their own change, switching out Milton for sophomore quarterback Cade McNamara. In just under two minutes, McNamara was able to accomplish what Milton had not the entire game. A touchdown.

On McNamara’s first pass, he would release a picture-perfect pass to Bell to gain 23 yards. This would be the longest pass completion yet thrown in the game. He would soon follow up with a seamless 28-yard pass to senior tight end Nick Eubanks.

It would be his 23-yard connection to sophomore wide receiver Mike Sainristil that would seal the Wolverines first and final touchdown of the night. The Wolverines, hoping to narrow the lead, would go for the two-point conversion, and McNamara would deliver, bringing the score to 35-11.

Wisconsin, hoping to cut away at any hope Michigan might still have, would dominate the ball for the remainder of the game.

Their next drive would last over eight minutes of fourteen plays that would bring the 3rdquarter to an end and carry into the 4th.

Mertz would enlist Berger on runs and Davis III and Ferguson in the passing game. Mertz would ultimately make Davis III his target for the touchdown.

The Badgers would put up their final seven points with a little over seven left to play. Junior fullback John Chenal would have an explosive 43-yard run to Michigan 29 and follow with another 6-yard rush. Berger would seal the touchdown and the game in an impressive 23-yard run. The Badgers at this point, of course, were simply having fun.

The final score would be 49-11. The triumph for Wisconsin would mark a complete loss for Michigan as this would be the Wolverines first 1-3 record since 1967.

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