Wisconsin/Michigan postgame notes

Notes from the Badgers’ 23-20 win over the Wolverines

• With its 23-20 win over Michigan Saturday, Wisconsin opened the season 4-0 for the second consecutive year and the fourth time in Barry Alvarez’s tenure as UW’s head coach. Last season, the Badgers went on to finish 9-3. The first two times UW opened 4-0 under Alvarez, it won the Rose Bowl (1993 and ’98)

• The Badgers defeated Michigan for the first time since 1994. Alvarez will finish his UW coaching career 3-7 versus the Wolverines.

• Michigan lost a conference opener for the first time since losing to Wisconsin, 21-14, on Sept. 12, 1981, snapping a streak of 23 Big Ten opening wins. UM’s all-time record versus the Badgers in Big Ten openers is now 15-2.

• The Wolverines lost their road opener for sixth straight year.

• The Badgers allowed just seven second-half points Saturday and have now allowed only 16 second-half points all year. They are pitching a season-long shutout in the third quarter.

• Wisconsin has now won nine straight games at Camp Randall Stadium. That ties a school record for consecutive home wins. UW also won nine straight from Oct. 31, 1953 to Oct. 1, 1955 and from Nov. 18, 1961 to Oct. 12, 1963.

• Michigan’s 20 points is the second-most by a UW opponent during the Badgers’ current home winning streak. The most was the 42 Bowling Green scored in the season opener three weeks ago. UW has allowed just 107 points in those nine games.

• Johnny White’s fourth-quarter interception was the first of his career.

• Wisconsin entered the game leading the Big Ten in time of possession and held a 34:31-25:29 advantage over Michigan Saturday night.

• Brian Calhoun recorded his third 100-yard rushing performance of the 2005 season, with a 35-carry, 155-yard evening. Prior to this season, he had four career 100-yard days. Calhoun, who had a six-yard scoring run against Michigan, has scored nine touchdowns this season, and at least one in each of the Badgers’ four games.

• Calhoun ran the ball 35 times and caught seven passes, giving him 42 total touches. He has now played in 13 quarters this season and has 140 touches (127 rushing attempts and 13 receptions), for an average of 10.8 touches per quarter.

• Calhoun’s seven receptions were the most ever in a game by a running back during the Alvarez era.

• The crowd of 83,022 was the second largest in Camp Randall Stadium history. The biggest crowd to watch a Badger game at Camp Randall was 83,069 versus Minnesota Nov. 6, 2004.

• UW is now 10-6 in Big Ten openers in the Alvarez era.