Michigan
8-3 , 5-3
Wisconsin
11-0 , 8-0
Michigan Comes Up Short at Fifth-Ranked Wisconsin
11/18/2017 3:51:00 PM | Football
» Michigan held a 10-7 lead with 6:36 left in the third quarter, but Wisconsin reeled off two touchdowns in three minutes to take control.
» Sophomore quarterback Brandon Peters went 9-of-18 passing for 157 yards before departing in the third quarter with an injury.
» Sophomores Khaleke Hudson and Josh Metellus tied for the team lead with nine tackles.
Site: Madison, Wis. (Camp Randall Stadium)
Score: #5 Wisconsin 24, #19 Michigan 10
Records: U-M (8-3, 5-3 B1G), UW (11-0, 8-0 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Nov. 25 -- vs. Ohio State (Michigan Stadium), Noon (TV: Fox)
MADISON, Wis. -- The No. 19-ranked University of Michigan football team held a third-quarter lead but could not sustain it, falling to No. 5 Wisconsin, 24-10, on a chilly Saturday (Nov. 18) at Camp Randall Stadium.
The Wolverines led 10-7 midway through the third quarter and had all the momentum on defense until Wisconsin exploded for touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to take a 21-10 lead. In between those two touchdowns, sophomore quarterback Brandon Peters left the game due to injury and did not return. Prior to departing, Peters was having a solid day, going 9-of-18 passing for 157 yards.
As expected, the defenses dominated the first quarter, but it was Wisconsin's special teams that provided the first points of the game via a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown by Nick Nelson.
Two possessions later, Michigan gained great field position thanks to its defense and special teams, starting on Wisconsin's 40-yard line. A 35-yard completion to a wide-open Zach Gentry put the offense at the five-yard line going in, but the Wolverines could not come away with points. Peters threw a perfect fade to Donovan Peoples-Jones, who caught it in the end zone but landed with a foot out of bounds. The play stood after video review. It proved to be an early turning point, as Peters fumbled to Wisconsin on the next play after attempting to extend the ball to the goal line.
The Wolverines responded beautifully, forcing Wisconsin to punt after a third-and-14 completion from Alex Hornibrook to Danny Davis was overturned by replay. Peters took over and made three huge plays in the passing game to move the offense down the field, starting with a deep 48-yard completion to Peoples-Jones. Three plays later, on third-and-8 from the Wisconsin 34-yard line, Peters found nothing open down field and checked down to Chris Evans, who picked up 19 yards and a first down. Peters then threw a 14-yard strike to Sean McKeon that put Michigan on the one-yard line. Ben Mason rushed in on the next play, scoring his first career touchdown to even up the score with 2:20 left in the half.
The two teams exchanged possessions to start the second half, but Michigan seized momentum thanks to its defense and special teams. After punter Brad Robbins pinned Wisconsin back at its own 10-yard line, linebacker Devin Bush intercepted Hornibrook on the first play of the drive, turning the ball over to the offense with great field position at the Wisconsin 29-yard line. The Wolverines turned it into points and took the 10-7 lead on a 39-yard field goal from Quinn Nordin.
The Badgers jumped back in front on the next possession on a 24-yard pass from Hornibrook to A.J. Taylor, taking a 14-10 lead with 3:31 left in the third quarter. Michigan went three-and-out on the next possession, losing Peters to injury and punting to Wisconsin. The Badgers went up 21-10 on the ensuing drive on a 32-yard touchdown run from Kendric Pryor.
Wisconsin added a 30-yard field goal from Rafael Gaglianone to lead 24-10 with 2:25 to play. With no timeouts, Michigan went hurry-up to try and close the gap but turned the ball over on downs with 1:40 remaining.
The Wolverines return home to Michigan Stadium next Saturday (Nov. 25) to host rival Ohio State in the regular-season finale. Kickoff is scheduled for noon on Fox.
Team Stats
MICH 0, WIS 7
WIS - Nelson, Nick 50 yd punt return (Gaglianone, R. kick)
MICH 7, WIS 7
MICH - Mason, Ben 1 yd run (Nordin, Quinn kick), 7 plays, 84 yards, TOP 3:34
MICH 10, WIS 7
MICH - Nordin, Quinn 39 yd field goal 5 plays, 8 yards, TOP 1:57
MICH 10, WIS 14
WIS - Taylor, A.J. 24 yd pass from Hornibrook, A. (Gaglianone, R. kick) 7 plays, 77 yards, TOP 3:01
MICH 10, WIS 21
WIS - Pryor, Kendric 32 yd run (Gaglianone, R. kick), 5 plays, 61 yards, TOP 1:42
MICH 10, WIS 24
WIS - Gaglianone, R. 30 yd field goal 10 plays, 40 yards, TOP 5:17
