All Badgers

Wisconsin pushes No. 1 Oregon to the limit in 16-13 loss

A tipped pass was intercepted to end Wisconsin's chance to pull the upset.
Joe Nelson|
Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Will Pauling (6) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

In this story:

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin gave No. 1 Oregon everything they could handle Saturday night, but by the time all 60 minutes were drained from the clock it was the Ducks leaving Camp Randall Stadium in Madison with a 16-13 victory.

The game was tied 13-13 until the Ducks booted a 24-yard field goal with 2:36 left in the fourth quarter. Wisconsin's chance to respond resulted in quick turnover on downs, but the Ducks gave the ball back with 1:45 to play when a fake field goal came up one yard shy of a game-clinching first down.

But just two plays later, Braedyn Locke's pass was tipped and intercepted by Oregon defensive lineman Matayo Uiagalelei. That was the final dagger.

Oregon (11-0) hadn't been tested like they were against Wisconsin (5-5) since beating Ohio State 32-31 on Oct. 12. Since then, the Ducks had been a buzzsaw with wins over Purdue (35-0), Illinois (38-9), Michigan (38-17) and Maryland (39-18).

Wisconsin had a touchdown pass from Locke to Vinny Anthony II wiped out because of a penalty and they had to settle for a 35-yard field goal for a 13-6 lead, but the other key of the scoring drive was that it took 16 plays and chewed 8:53 off the clock.

Back came Oregon on a 13-play, 81-yard drive that took 6:51. While running back Jordan James scored the tying touchdown to end the drive, the key play was a fourth-and-nine on the first play of the fourth quarter that saw Dillon Gabriel thread the needle for a first down completion to tight end Terrance Ferguson.

The Ducks appeared to be on their way to building a lead that would've been extremely difficult for the Badgers to battle back from, but Gabriel was intercepted a pass from the Badgers 9-yard line. That eliminated an opportunity for the Ducks to go up 10-0, and instead the game was back and forth before Locke hit Will Pauling for a two-yard touchdown and a 10-6 lead with 25 seconds left in the first half.

Up next: Wisconsin at Nebraska, Saturday, Nov. 23.

Published
Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

Home/Football