Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from Badgers’ win over Purdue

Wisconsin Football increased its Big Ten West lead on Saturday after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers at home.

The Wisconsin Badgers survived a scare at home on Saturday as the upstart Purdue Boilermakers gave them all they could handle in stormy and wet conditions at Camp Randall Stadium.

Wisconsin overcame three turnovers and a boatload of penalties to hang on against a late Boilermakers surge, winning the game by a score of 17-9.

There were many bright spots from both teams as the Badgers took control of the Big Ten West and all but locked it up as they now hold a virtual two-game lead over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Cornhuskers are the only team behind the Badgers with one loss, but because Wisconsin won at Nebraska last week, the Huskers will need two wins to overcome the Badgers in the division.

For Purdue, head coach Jeff Brohm and his squad are proving they are no fluke to their impressive play thus far. Currently sitting at 3-3 on the year, the Boilermakers’ three losses have all come at the hands of ranked opponents, in which they have battled hard in all three showings.

With the win, Wisconsin is now bowl eligible for the 16th straight year and maintains their spot as one of the few undefeated teams in the nation and in prime College Football Playoff pacing. On a weekend where we saw No. 2 Clemson, No. 8 Washington State and No. 10 Auburn fall — the Badgers took advantage of other teams falling and look to rise up in the rankings next week.

There is still a lot to learn from both the Boilermakers and Badgers as we move forward Saturday’s rainy matchup proved that both teams have some flaws, as well as major assets to their team.

Here are three takeaways from Badgers’ win.

3. Purdue’s defense is legit

Take Jonathan Taylor off the Badgers’ roster and Purdue handled the Wisconsin offense in impressive fashion on Saturday.

The Boilermakers were able to force three turnovers, two interceptions and a forced Taylor fumble in the red zone, and also added a blocked punt. Known to be a second half team, the Badgers were held scoreless in the second half for the first time all season.

Yes, the Badgers put up nearly 500 yards of offense, but those stats mean nothing unless it translates to the scoreboard. The Boilermakers did have trouble at times with the Badgers’ running game, but the defense came up big when needed- prevent Wisconsin from adding on insurance points and giving their offense a chance to tie the game late.

Formerly seen as a pushover on defense, Coach Brohm has this program heading in the right direction as a whole. While the offense was not there at times today, Purdue’s defense was able to keep them in the game — which is normally a phrase rarely said.

Following Saturday’s game against the Badgers, the Boilermakers have held now held four of their six opponents on the year under 17 points. If Brohm and his team can maintain this balance moving forward, do not be surprised if the Boilermakers upset someone this year in Big Ten play.

2. Quintez Cephus is the Badgers’ big-play aerial threat

Sophomore wide receiver Quintez Cephus was thought to have an expanded role this season after a successful freshman campaign, but not many thought his contributions would amount to what he has done so far in 2017.

Entering the season as wide receiver No. 2, Cephus was basically the third target in the Badgers’ passing game behind wide out Jazz Peavy and preseason All-American tight end Troy Fumagalli. Add in the fact that Wisconsin is primarily a run-first offense, Cephus’ moments appeared to be few and far between.

Coming into Saturday’s matchup against Purdue, Cephus came in as the Badgers’ leading receiver. More impressively, he is averaging nearly 17 yards per catch.

Cephus came up clutch in many different ways on Saturday against the Boilermakers. Instead of being good for one or two deep bombs, he added in a balance of both big plays as well as much-needed first down conversions.

Cephus has made up nicely for the absence of Peavy and with the lingering injuries surrounding Fumagalli. Against Purdue, he racked up 100 yards on five catches and added the Badgers’ second touchdown of the game. A mixture of vertical athleticism and speed, Cephus is now the go-to target of the Badgers in the deep-play game and also the short, reliable situations.

As Fumagalli and Peavy start to get healthy, Cephus will likely get even more chances in the passing game moving forward.

1. Jonathan Taylor is a Heisman Trophy candiate

True freshman running back Jonathan Taylor ended Saturday’s game against Purdue just 14 yards shy of a record-breaking season.

Needing 233 yards entering the game, Taylor finished with another monster performance putting up 219 yards on the ground and another touchdown. He had 75 yards on the opening drive of the game, including a 67-yard touchdown run on the third play of the game.

The 233 yards would have gotten Taylor to 1,000 yards on the season, which would have made him the first true freshman in FBS history to reach the thousand yard mark in just six games. There are five players — including Adrian Peterson, Marshal Faulk and Emmitt Smith — that have reached that mark, all happening in their first seven games. At 14 yards short, there is a very high chance Taylor will tie the record next week and join great company as the Badgers take on Maryland.

The main conversation that should come out of Taylor’s performance is him regarding the Heisman Trophy race. Up to this point, Taylor’s season has not yet been discussed on a national level, whereas his conference counterpart, Penn State back Saquon Barkley — who is two places behind him in rushing in the conference, is first on many people’s ballots.

No disrespect to Barkley of course, but with his third 200-yard performance of the season, it only makes sense that Taylor is getting the respect many of which those with similar seasons thus far are receiving.

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Taylor and the Badgers will stay at home next weekend as they welcome in the Maryland Terrapins on Homecoming Weekend to Madison.