(14) Wisconsin Falls To (13) LSU At Home

Wisconsin was off to a great start in the first half of Saturday night’s game…until LSU came roaring back late for the win.

It’s safe to say that Wisconsin’s offense is dominated by running back Melvin Gordon, who had nine carries for 64 yards in the first quarter, and ultimately ran for 147 yards in total with one touchdown. Gordon was on plenty of Heisman-radars coming into the year, and his first performance showed exactly why.Fellow running back Corey Clement had 45 yards and a touchdown as well. The only moment of shine LSU had in the first quarter was when quarterback Anthony Jennings threw an 80-yard bomb to receiver Travin Dural to give the Tigers their only touchdown of the opening half.

Despite an early 45-yard touchdown run from wide receiver Reggie Love in the first quarter to open up scoring, Wisconsin blew an early lead over LSU in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Tanner McEvoy struggled during his first start, completing only 8 of 24 passes for 50 yards and two interceptions in the fourth quarter.

The Badgers had it all but wrapped up after Gordon’s impressive 63-yard run led to a two-yard touchdown by Clement in the third quarter. However LSU’s inability to create in the red zone led to a pair of field goals that narrowed the score to 24-13.

Ultimately, it was LSU running back Kenny Hillard who sealed the W with a 28-yard touchdown run to end a well-fought fourth quarter by the Tigers.

Defensive end Konrad Zagzebski left following a neck injury in the first quarter and later guard Warren Herring exited in the third with a knee injury, depleting an already drained Badgers defense.

Saturday night’s loss was the first in a season opener in 17 seasons for Wisconsin.  Despite the loss, if McEvoy can improve his passing game and the defense can stay healthy, Wisconsin can still compete for a Big Ten title.

In Week Two, the Badgers will face Western Illinois at noon, Sept. 6.

 

*Section Photo credit to Douglas Collier, Shreveport Times; Featured Photo (above) credit to New Orleans Advocate 

(1) Florida State Edges Out Oklahoma State
(1) Florida State Edges Out Oklahoma State