/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22834447/187492257.0.jpg)
Brigham Young went into Wisconsin this afternoon looking to become the first team outside of the Big Ten Conference in ten years to leave Camp Randall Stadium victorious.
Instead, BYU (6-3) gave up 425 yards to the Wisconsin (7-2) offense, and struggled against a good Badger defense in a 27-17 loss. Adding injury to insult, Spencer Hadley left the game early with a possible season ending left knee injury.
Wisconsin scored on the opening drive with a touchdown run by James White.
The Cougars went three-and-out on their first possession. Their second possession ended with a Taysom Hill interception by Tanner McEvoy, the first of his career. The Badgers quickly returned the favor with a fumble picked up by Daniel Sorensen, leading to a Justin Sorensen 31-yard field goal.
BYU was unable to capitalize on Wisconsin’s next turnover that came on a second quarter pick by Kyle Van Noy, who caught the ball lying on his back. The defense held the Badgers to a 38-yard field goal on their next possession, but following another three-and-out by the Cougar offense, the Badgers scored again on a five-yard pass from Stave to White, bringing the score to 17-3 at the break.
BYU punted on the opening drive of the second half, leading to a Wisconsin field goal on the next possession. The Cougars scored next on a 34-yard touchdown pass to Cody Hoffman, the 32nd of his career.
Wisconsin answered with a 14-yard James White touchdown run on a drive that showed the Badgers clearly in control of the game.
With 3:12 left, the Hoffman scored again off a five-yard pass from Hill. The Cougars then attempted an onside kick which was recovered by Wisconsin.
Hill completed 19 of 42 passes for 202 yards, and the Cougars finished with 370 yards total. On the bright side, BYU had only one turnover and 6 penalties for 35 yards.
Stave passed for 23 of 32 and 196 yards. James White led the Badgers, ending the day with 147 yards and three touchdowns.
The Cougars loss to Wisconsin ends a five game winning streak, and keeps alive the Badgers' hope for a berth in the BCS.