Wisconsin RB Clement exits with leg injury

With the passing game rounding into form, Corey Clement continued proving he can carry a full workload for Wisconsin.

Otherwise, the Badgers followed through on their collective promise to build on the momentum of the win over LSU.

Owen: With the last cupcake coming up before the death row stretch in Wisconsin’s schedule, I expect the Badgers to be up big at halftime, and largely rest a lot of their starters. Akron managed just one conversion in 10 tries last week.

Wisconsin: The Badgers look to extend their home winning streak against non-conference foes to 37 when they host Georgia State on September 17.

The correction that may have been emphasized more than anything last week, however, was converting on third down.

Georgia State is holding the ball an average of 19:25 per game, compared with 40:35 for the opponents.

“We were able to be a little overprotective maybe”, Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.

Sure, it was against VMI in the season opener, which is hardly LSU or Wisconsin on defense, but you have to think Wisconsin’s defensive film sessions this week have made mention of the season debut for Akron’s quarterback.

On third downs, the defense has been as sturdy as a red brick wall. “All we’ve got to focus on is ourselves and maximize each opportunity”.

Was the punt return by Akron the only really glaring mistake for the Badgers? .

The first plays were runs: Corey Clement for 11, 13, 2, 7 and 5 yards. WIS, C.Clement 21-111, B.Shaw 9-74, Deal 12-58, J.Peavy 1-23, Ogunbowale 4-18, Ramesh 4-12, Ingold 2-4, Ba.Houston 2-(minus 6). The over/under total for the contest is listed at 47.5 points.

Bart Houston was 15 of 22 for 231 yards, showing chemistry with Jazz Peavy against the porous Zips (1-1). “We really just kind of reap the benefits”. The run defense could have been a little bit better, as Warren Ball broke a couple of nice runs including a 38-yard scamper that was salvaged by an unbelievable strip fumble courtesy of Derrick Tindal Jr.

Hornibrook finished 5 of 5 for 61 yards.

Through two games this season, UW is eighth at 214.0 yards per game, a bump of 63.7 yards per game.

The Badgers were successful on all three third-down attempts during their first possession of the game – a 13-play, 83-yard touchdown drive – and converted four more on their way to a 30-point half.

“We didn’t want to show that we were too excited and thinking about (LSU)”. “The 21 carries wouldn’t even be possible if the guys weren’t making the right calls for the scheme”. Four of UW’s 10 conversions came on the ground. So for the Badgers, the two weeks between the Tigers and their Big Ten opener on September 24 against Michigan State are about building momentum and keeping a chip on their collective shoulders.

“I thought our kids did some good things”, Chryst said.

Part of the problem for the Zips was their refusal to run the ball early on.