MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Nathanial Vakos made a tiebreaking 32-yard field goal late in the third quarter, and Mason Posa led a dominant defensive effort as Wisconsin snapped a six-game skid by upsetting No. 24 Washington 13-10 on Saturday.
The Badgers (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) had lost 11 straight games against Power Four opponents before winning this one as a 10½-point underdog, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Wisconsin’s victory came just two days after athletic director Chris McIntosh announced that Luke Fickell would remain the Badgers’ coach beyond this season. The win gave Fickell his first victory over a Top 25 team after 10 straight losses against ranked opponents.
Wisconsin overcame an early injury to quarterback Danny O’Neil, who was making his first start since Sept. 13 but was carted off the field in the first quarter. After a 21-yard keeper, O’Neil started limping before going down and clutching his right leg. Freshman Carter Smith stepped in for Wisconsin in his college debut, completing 3 of 12 passes for 8 yards while rushing for 47 yards and a touchdown.
In fact, Wisconsin’s leading passer on the day was punter Sean West, who threw a 24-yard completion on a fake punt attempt. The Badgers’ offense did just enough to support a defense that pushed Washington (6-3, 3-3, No. 23 College Football Playoff) around all day.
Washington’s only touchdown came on Denzel Boston’s 1-yard reception from Demond Williams Jr. after Anthony Ward blocked a punt, giving the Huskies first-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
Smith scored the tying touchdown in the third quarter on a 2-yard run following a big defensive play by Posa. He sacked Williams, stripped the ball, and recovered a fumble at Washington’s 7-yard line. Williams was sacked again, and the Huskies committed two false starts on their next series, leading to a punt that allowed Wisconsin to start its next drive at Washington’s 36-yard line.
That favorable field position set up Vakos’ second field goal of the day with 1:58 left in the third quarter, giving Wisconsin a 13-10 lead.
Wisconsin preserved its advantage when Ben Barten blocked Gabe Gross’ 50-yard field-goal attempt with 10:43 remaining in the game. The Huskies’ final chance ended when Posa sacked Williams on a fourth-and-6 play from Washington’s 41-yard line with 1:08 left.
As the final seconds ticked away, fans from the student section poured onto the Camp Randall Stadium field in celebration.
Washington, which had entered the Top 25 rankings this week for the first time this season, struggled throughout a rain-soaked second half with temperatures in the 30s. Star running back Jonah Coleman was limited to just 2 yards on five carries before injuries sidelined him. The Huskies also played much of the game without starting center Landen Hatchett and right tackle Drew Azzopardi.
Before the game, a moment of silence was held to honor Washington women’s soccer goalkeeper Mia Hamant, who died Thursday at the age of 21 after a battle with kidney cancer.
### The Takeaway
**Washington:** The Huskies led 10-3 and had the ball on Wisconsin’s 36-yard line in the second quarter when Williams threw a pass that the Badgers’ Ricardo Hallman intercepted in the end zone. Given Wisconsin’s limited offensive firepower, any points scored on that drive would have put the Huskies in a commanding position. Instead, they let the game slip away.
**Wisconsin:** Posa and Cooper Catalano made their second career starts Saturday, with the freshman linebackers leading a spirited defensive performance. The Badgers beat a Top 25 team for the first time since a 27-7 victory over No. 9 Iowa in 2021.
### Up Next
– **Washington:** Hosts Purdue next Saturday.
– **Wisconsin:** At No. 2 Indiana next Saturday.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/dominant-defense-helps-wisconsin-snap-010916302.html
