TAMPA, Fla. — The University of Wisconsin football team has felt this sting before.
It had a chance late in the game against a good team Monday. But mistakes and an inability to make the one play in the fourth quarter to push the Badgers over the hump ruined what could’ve been a feel-good moment to end a tough season.
Wisconsin blew multiple leads and dropped the ReliaQuest Bowl to No. 13 LSU 35-31.
The Badgers dropped to 7-6 on the season, while the Tigers improved to 10-3.
Here’s a game ball and three things that stood out:
Game ball
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU quarterback
Honorable mention: Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin quarterback
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Badgers coaches’ decision-making questionable
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo made some odd calls that effectively cost the Badgers points in a tight game, a trend that continued from the regular season and must be addressed in the offseason.
The Badgers decided to attempt a 51-yard field goal on a fourth-and-6 from the LSU 33 late in the second quarter, then Wisconsin took a lead late with about a minute left in the half. The Badgers got the ball back in LSU territory following Ricardo Hallman’s seventh interception of the season. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai threw behind Bryson Green on third-and-1, setting up a fourth-and-1. Fickell called a timeout, leaving the Badgers with one, then the fourth-down run was stuffed and the Badgers came up empty.
Mordecai hit Green with a deep pass along the right sideline in the third quarter, then tried an RPO that lost 5 yards. Two rushes netted 2 yards and Wisconsin kicked a go-ahead field goal.
Wisconsin hasn’t been consistent with its decisions regarding fourth downs or field goals throughout the season, and it cost the team scoring chances against LSU.
LSU’s wide receivers live up to the billing
Wisconsin knew that LSU’s talent on the outside was going to be a challenge, even without Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.
LSU’s receivers showed they could be explosive with a new quarterback as stars like Brian Thomas pushed the Badgers’ secondary to its limits. Thomas had eight catches for 98 yards and drew a crucial pass-interference flag to extend a scoring drive. Malik Nabers, the runner-up for the Biletnikoff Award, caught three passes in the first half and set the LSU program record for career receiving yards before sitting out the second half.
Garrett Nussmeier found his pass-catchers all over field and threw for 395 yards and three touchdowns.
Tanner Mordecai’s best game as Badgers QB
Mordecai certainly wasn’t keeping anything in his back pocket this season, but he pulled out his best performance at Wisconsin in his final career game.
He finished with 378 yards and three touchdowns, both high marks for his one season at Wisconsin. Mordecai was 14 of 20 for 219 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. LSU’s defense has struggled all season against the pass and had a reputation for gambling on balls in the air. Mordecai took advantage by being aggressive with throws down the field and making quick decisions on short passes.
LSU’s defense began sending late pressures to eliminate Mordecai’s lanes for scrambling and force him to hold the ball a bit longer than he wanted to, and Wisconsin’s offensive line got overwhelmed late.
Photos: Wisconsin falls to LSU in ReliaQuest Bowl
LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr. celebrates after his touchdown run against Wisconsin during Monday’s first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr. cuts in front of Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman on a 1-yard touchdown run during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jayden Daniels of LSU talks to wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. Daniels is not playing in the game.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai throws a pass against LSU during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin safety Austin Brown takes down LSU running back Josh Williams during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin wide receiver Will Pauling (6) celebrates with wide receiver Quincy Burroughs and offensive lineman Jake Renfro after Pauling caught a 53-yard touchdown pass during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. is taken down by Wisconsin linebacker Jake Chaney after a catch during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Jayden Daniels of LSU watches from the sidelines during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin in Tampa, Fla. Daniels is not playing in the game.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin wide receiver Bryson Green celebrates after his 20-yard touchdown reception against LSU during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin wide receiver Bryson Green pulls in a 20-yard touchdown reception against LSU cornerback Ashton Stamps during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU coach Brian Kelly talks to line judge Jeff Hutcheon during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier scrambles away from Wisconsin linebacker Jeff Pietrowski Jr. on a run during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier throws a pass as he is pressured by Wisconsin linebacker Darryl Peterson during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin wide receiver Will Pauling outruns LSU linebacker Whit Weeks after a catch during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier looks at his MVP trophy after the team defeated Wisconsin during Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU coach Brian Kelly holds up the trophy after his team defeated Wisconsin during the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Jayden Daniels celebrates a score against Wisconsin with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier during the second half of Monday ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. Daniels did not play in the game.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. pulls in a catch over Wisconsin cornerback Jonas Duclona during the second half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai gets sacked by LSU defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo during the second half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell calls a time out to challenge a LSU touchdown during the second half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier throws a pass against Wisconsin during the first half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy gets knocked down by Wisconsin linebacker Maema Njongmeta after a catch during the second half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
Wisconsin running back Jackson Acker runs 33-yards for a touchdown against LSU during the second half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. celebrates after catching a 4-yard touchdown reception against Wisconsin during the second half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
LSU wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. pulls in a 14-yard touchdown reception against Wisconsin safety Austin Brown during the second half of Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
CHRIS O’MEARA, Associated Press
