BadgerExtra columnist Jim Polzin graded the Wisconsin Badgers’ performance in their 24-13 win over Rutgers on Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium.
Offense: C-minus
Bad snaps by center Tanor Bortolini wrecked the timing on a handful of plays, including a third-and-1 in the first quarter in which Braelon Allen was dropped for a loss of 1. Tanner Mordecai saved a couple with quick reactions, and the quarterback once again did a good job of making plays with his feet. He needs to be more efficient as a passer than he was Saturday if the Badgers are going to beat Iowa next week, but Mordecai didn’t make any costly mistakes through the air. Allen and tight end Hayden Rucci lost fumbles, and that needs to be cleaned up. Meanwhile, Jackson Acker was impressive in his first game as Allen’s primary backup, finishing with 13 carries for 65 yards.
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Defense: B-plus
Wisconsin won the line of scrimmage and limited what had been a dominant Rutgers running game to 64 yards. That forced the Scarlet Knights to put the ball in the air 38 times, and Gavin Wimsatt’s inaccuracy was on display over and over. Ricardo Hallman was on the receiving end of one of those misfires, and the Badgers cornerback returned the interception 95 yards for a touchdown that gave Wisconsin a 17-0 lead at the half instead of heading into the locker room leading by one score. All in all, a much-improved performance by Mike Tressel and Co. But Rutgers’ numbers coming into this game were bloated by weak competition, so it’s too early to say if the Wisconsin defense has turned the corner.
Special teams: B-minus
A quiet day for this group. Nathanial Vakos finally missed a field goal, albeit from 53 yards. Jack Van Dyke sent a kickoff out of bounds for the fourth time in five games. Chimere Dike’s decision making on punt returns continues to be impressive.
Overall: C-plus
Luke Fickell called this a complete performance, but I beg to differ. It’s a solid win to start an important month, no question about that. And maybe we should expect some rust coming out of the bye week. But the Badgers still haven’t had a game in which all three phases play well. Maybe they’re saving that for Ohio State at the end of October, but there’s plenty to clean up if Wisconsin is going to avoid a letdown before that big game.
The scene of Wisconsin football’s homecoming game vs. Rutgers in photos

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell leads his team to Camp Randall Stadium before the game against Rutgers in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) walks to Camp Randall Stadium before the game against Rutgers in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers make their way to Camp Randall Stadium before the game against Rutgers in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Nick Evers (7) walks to Camp Randall Stadium before the game against Rutgers in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo walks through the Camp Randall Memorial Arch before the game against Rutgers in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) intercepts a pass intended for Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Christian Dremel (6) in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) makes a pass in the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers running back Jackson Acker (34) runs the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) runs the ball in for a 95-yard pick-six against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers running back Jackson Acker (34) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) runs in a touchdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Jason Maitre (23) smiles after cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) scored a touchdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) walks back to the sideline after intercepting the ball and scoring a touchdown in the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers running back Jackson Acker (34) runs the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers tight end Tucker Ashcraft (38) catches a touchdown pass against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers tight end Tucker Ashcraft (38) celebrates with offensive lineman Riley Mahlman (71) after Ashcraft scored in the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Curt Neal (92) smiles after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) tackles Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Ja’shon Benjamin (20) along side Wisconsin Badgers linebacker C.J. Goetz (98) in the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (10) tackles Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Isaiah Washington (14) in the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) looks to make a pass against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks at the score board in the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. SAMANTHA MADAR, STATE JOURNAL
Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.