Wisconsin outlasts Army’s triple option in 20-14 win

It may have been slightly close for comfort late, but Wisconsin outlasted Army and their triple option attack in a 20-14 win. The Badgers (3-3, 1-2 BIG) looked prepared for Army’s (4-2) unique offensive look, with linebacker Leo Chenal leading the way and coming up with a game-sealing forced fumble late in the fourth quarter.

In an unsurprisingly low-scoring affair, the Badgers struck first behind their star freshman running back Braelon Allen. It was yet another 100-yard day for the true freshman, who finished with 102 yards on 15 carries. His second-quarter touchdown run was the longest play of the Fond Du Lac native’s career to date, as Allen showed excellent patience on the 33-yard score.

Wisconsin got creative late in the first half, as Jack Sanborn converted a 4th-and-1 fake punt in Badger territory to keep an eventual touchdown drive alive. After the Badgers got into the red zone thanks to a 36-yard Danny Davis grab, Mertz scampered in on a five-yard keeper to extend Wisconsin’s lead. Following a Collin Larsh missed extra point, the Badgers headed into the locker room with a comfortable 13-0 lead.

The second half largely belonged to Army, who finally connected on a Tyhier Tyler run early in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 13-7.

After the Black Knights got the football back with the chance for a game-winning drive, Wisconsin linebacker Leo Chenal, as he did numerous times throughout the evening, busted through the A-gap for a game-sealing forced fumble. The turnover set the Badgers up at Army’s 1-yard line for a Mertz sneak into the end zone.

Just as the game looked over with Wisconsin leading 20-7 late in the fourth quarter, Army connected on one of their six total pass attempts for a 36-yard gain from Jabari Laws to A.J. Howard Jr.. With under one minute remaining, the Black Knights cut the Wisconsin lead to 20-14 as Howard Jr. scored on a 6-yard carry.

Sanborn made the hands team play to seal a Wisconsin win as Army’s only hope was an onside kick.

The Badgers improved to 3-3 with the win, and get back to Big Ten play at Purdue next week.