Badgers 35-31 loss to LSU in Reliaquest Bowl

The Badgers' 35-31 loss to LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl was a heart-wrenching defeat that left fans and players alike feeling disappointed. The game started off with great promise, as the Badgers took an early lead and showcased their strong defense. However, as the game progressed, it became evident that LSU's offense was too powerful to be contained.

One of the main factors contributing to Wisconsin's loss was their inability to stop LSU's passing attack. The Tigers' quarterback consistently found open receivers downfield, exploiting weaknesses in the Badgers' secondary. This allowed LSU to score crucial touchdowns and gain momentum throughout the game.

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 was aggressive and smart with the football, pushing the ball to all of his weapons and moving the Badgers inside LSU territory several times, where they posed a threat offensively to score.

Even when LSU crept back, Mordecai was able to respond for the most part, keeping the Badgers ahead until the end of the fourth quarter, which is why Wisconsin trailed for only 3:10 of the whole game.

Mordecai did struggle at the end of the team’s final drive, taking an untimely second-down sack before fumbling twice on third and fourth downs to seal the game.

But, the team should’ve never been in that position in the first place, and Mordecai was incredible everywhere else in the best performance from a Badgers quarterback all year long.

The back-to-back completions set up a 20-yard touchdown pass to Bryson Green in the corner of the end zone.

On the Badgers' third possession, they needed just two plays to go 60 yards and scored on Mordecai's 53-yard pass to Pauling that put Wisconsin up 14-0. Mordecai, who had just six touchdown passes on the season, was 5 of 5 for 127 yards in the quarter, and Pauling had three catches for 106 yards.

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Sarah H

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