MADISON - As far as a tune-up goes for the start of the non-conference season, the Wisconsin Badgers couldn't have asked for anything better.
Five different players found the end zone Saturday, including two rushing touchdowns by Zach Brown and Chris Borland blocking a punt that was recovered by David Gilbert in the end zone. The Badgers led 31-0 at halftime and never looked back, dispatching the Wofford Terriers, 44-14, on Saturday.
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Head Coach Bret Bielema
QB Scott Tolzien
DE O'Brien Schofield
TE Lance Kendricks
RB Zach Brown
LB Mike Taylor
Wisconsin vs. Wofford
First Half
First Quarter
3-0 Wisconsin
8 plays, 7 yards, 3:43 TOP, 4:23 left
FG Phil Welch 36
Key Play: Wisconsin's Zach Brown appeared to have found the end zone on a gritty 15-yard run, but junior Isaac Anderson was whistled for holding on the perimeter, negating the play. It gets worse. Nick Toon caught a rifle on a pass for third-and-eight for a first down, but an illegal formation penalty wipes out another big play.
Second Quarter
10-0 Wisconsin
6 plays, 81 yards, 2:26 TOP, 14:55 left
Lance Kendricks 3-yard pass from Scott Tolzien (Welch kick)
Key Play: John Clay coughs up the football for the second time, this time on the three-yard line. However, Garrett Graham was johnny-on-the-spot and dives on the loose ball, helping UW retain possession.
17-0 Wisconsin
0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00 TOP, 12:50 left
David Gilbert fumble recovery in the end zone (Welch kick)
Key Play: Chris Borland leaped over the blockers in front of Wofford's punter and got his big right hand on the football. The ball skidded 25 yards toward the end line, but Gilbert reached the ball and secured possession for the touchdown.
24-0 Wisconsin
3 plays, 19 yards, 1:10 TOP, 10:14 left
Erik Smith 4-yard run (Welch kick)
Key Play: Wofford decided to roll the dice on fourth down and Mike Taylor made sure the Terriers went broke. Taylor broke through the line of scrimmage and sacked QB Mitch Allen for a seven-yard loss, giving UW the ball on Wofford's 19-yard line.
31-0 Wisconsin
10 plays, 61 yards, 4:56 TOP, 1:32 left
Garrett Graham seven-yard pass from Tolzien (Welch kick)
Key Play: Garrett Graham caught his first touchdown pass of the season when Tolzien hit him on a slant route two yards short of the goal line. Graham bullied his way into the end zone from there.
Second Half
Third Quarter
31-7 Wisconsin
5 plays, 43 yards, 1:51 TOP, 5:29 left
Austin Palmer 7-yard run (Reed kick)
Key Play: Wisconsin's committed its fourth fumble (third lost) of the game when Scott Tolzien's backward pass was bobbled by David Gilreath, resulting in a Wofford recovery in prime territory.
37-7 Wisconsin
8 plays, 62 yards, 3:37 TOP, 1:45 left
Zach Brown 2-yard run (kick failed)
Key Play: With Curt Phillips in at quarterback, the freshman runs twice for 30 yards and competes a 13-yard pass to Kendricks inside the 20, setting up Brown's touchdown.
Fourth Quarter
44-7 Wisconsin
9 plays, 80 yards, 4:18 TOP, 9:37 left
Zach Brown 2-yard run (Welch kick)
Key Play: With the game well in check, the Badgers kept the ball on the ground, running all nine plays of the drive, averaging 8.9 yards per carry.
44-14 Wisconsin
13 plays, 73 yards, 7:09 TOP, 2:24 left
Austin Palmer 1-yard run (Reed kick)