Wisconsin Football: 3 takeaways from ugly win over Northwestern

3. The Wisconsin defense remains the best unit in the country

Last year, Wisconsin was undone in Evanston as Clayton Thorson ran roughshod on their defense. Northwestern’s starter in 2018 piled up two touchdowns on the ground and another through the air in a 31-17 upset that handed the Wildcats the division title at the end of the regular season.

Northwestern quarterbacks were nowhere near as lucky this season. Hunter Johnson went 10-of-21 for 59 yards before getting knocked out of the game in the third quarter. His backup, Aidan Smith, completed just eight of his 21 passes for only 99 yards. Smith threw a touchdown pass as Northwestern mounted a comeback, but he also tossed an interception that Noah Burks returned 68 yards for a touchdown the other way.

That was one of just two touchdowns scored by the Badgers defense, which had already pounced on a fumble in the end zone for another touchdown generated from a sack of Hunter Johnson. Wisconsin proved salty, holding the Wildcats to only 255 total yards of offense as they struggled to move the ball consistently throughout the contest.

Entering Week 5, Wisconsin’s defense ranked at the top of the FBS in both yards allowed and points allowed. That will remain true after this weekend, as the Badgers reconfirmed their position as the top defense in the country.