Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from dominant win over USF

Wisconsin football dominated the South Florida Bulls in what was supposed to be a competitive game. Here are three quick thoughts.

South Florida was supposed to give Wisconsin a test, especially as the host team, but the Badgers ran through, around and over the Bulls en route to a shutout victory.

What’d we learn from the thumping?

3. Wisconsin executed with precision

The Badgers played as clean a game as anyone playing a top-tier opponent in Week 1. They weren’t perfect, the offensive line gave up 10 tackles for loss, but they executed their game plan extraordinarily well. They had only one turnover, and looked crisp.

They used their size up front to created gaping holes for running back Jonathan Taylor and junior quarterback Jack Coan used the productivity of the running game to take advantage of the man coverage that he saw most of the night.

On defense, the Badgers suffocated a talented South Florida offense. The Bulls had only 26 yards rushing and 1.1 yards per carry. Bulls leading rusher from last season Jordan Cronkrite had nine yards on only six carries. When the Bulls got behind early, the Badgers pinned their ears back and came after Blake Barnett and the Bulls passing game. The Badger defense was in the Bulls’ backfield all night long to the tune of four sacks, a plethora of hurries, and two interceptions.

What’s most impressive is when the game got out of hand, Wisconsin’s defense finished strong.