Ben Kenney
October 5, 2024 4:28 pm CT
Wisconsin defeated Purdue 52-6 on Saturday, improving to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in Big Ten play.
The performance was easily Wisconsin’s most complete of the 2024 season thus far. There is an argument it is the best the team has looked since the start of the Luke Fickell era.
Related:Takeaways from Wisconsin’s blowout victory over Purdue
Part of that is the quality of the Purdue team on the opposing sideline — the Boilermakers are now 1-4 on the season with four consecutive decisive losses. But part is an improvement from the Badgers. The team showed increased explosiveness in the passing game, it dominated on the ground, it finally pressured the opposing quarterback and, what felt like for the first time ever, its special teams were a net positive.
This dominant performance points the Badgers’ trajectory in the right direction entering a critical stretch of the schedule. More afternoons like this one, and the team will be able to extend its record bowl streak to 23 years.
Before we turn the page to next Saturday’s trip to Rutgers, here is our weekly column highlighting the ‘studs’ and ‘duds’ from Wisconsin’s performance:
STUD: Trech Kekahuna
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Trech Kekahuna (2) rushes for a touchdown after catching a pass during the third quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The stats tell the story here: six receptions, 134 yards, two touchdowns. Saturday was a full breakout performance for the Badgers’ young receiver.
Kekahuna flashed his ability early on some designed touches behind the line of scrimmage. He then exploded in the second half, highlighted by a 69-yard touchdown catch-and-run.
Kekahuna saw an increased role due to an early injury to Will Pauling, who later returned to the game. His performance, however, is enough to demand more touches moving forward.
DUD: Braedyn Locke (first half)
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) looks to throw a pass during the third quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
It will be tough to find any true ‘duds’ from the performance, so we’re dividing Braedyn Locke’s afternoon into two halves.
The first half saw him throw two interceptions — Purdue’s first and second takeaway of the year, respectively. There was an explosive touchdown to Vinny Anthony mixed in, but Locke’s overall first-half performance left a lot to be desired.
STUD: Braedyn Locke (second half)
Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) throws downfield during the second quarter of their game against Purdue Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There is a reason that football games have two halves. Locke’s performance is defined by his play in the second frame. That included two touchdowns, zero turnovers and a sky-high completion percentage.
His most impressive throws came on third-down conversions to WR C.J. Williams and RB Darrion Dupree, respectively. His delivery and ball placement were night and day better in the second half. Overall, Saturday was the best Locke has looked as Wisconsin’s starter.
A final line of 20 of 31 passing, 359 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions is one Wisconsin would take every outing. The team is in good shape if Locke can replicate his second-half form.
DUD: Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters leads Purdue onto the field Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, ahead of the NCAA football game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue Boilermakers won 49-0. Alex Martin/Journal and Courier-USA TODAY NETWORK
To be honest, there aren’t any other Wisconsin players in the ‘dud’ category. The Badgers were that dominant in every facet of the game.
The biggest ‘dud’ of the game was Purdue’s entire team. It turned the ball over on special teams, did nothing with the football on offense and could not stop Wisconsin’s offensive attack.
The Boilermakers are off to a disastrous start to the 2024 season. 2-10 or 1-11 could really be in play.
STUD: The offensive line
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers offensive linemen Joe Brunner (56) and Jack Nelson (79) celebrate following a touchdown during the third quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Wisconsin’s offensive line has been a strength all season. That play didn’t lead to victories against USC or Alabama, but there were strong indications that the Badgers were on the verge of trench dominance.
That dominance happened on Saturday. Wisconsin ran the ball at a 5.6 yards per carry clip — 228 yards on 41 carries. Braedyn Locke was also seldom pressured throughout the afternoon. The line’s protection on Locke’s touchdown pass to Kekahuna sums up its performance:
STUD: Tawee Walker
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The stats tell an accurate story for many of the Badgers’ top performers. Tawee Walker is one of them: 19 carries, 94 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.
Walker entered the game as Wisconsin’s clear No. 1 running back after Chez Mellusi’s departure from the program. He took that opportunity and ran with it. Part of his success can be attributed to Wisconsin’s offensive line and some came thanks to Purdue’s poor defense, but Walker still capitalized on every available opportunity.
Walker, Darrion Dupree, Cade Yacamelli and Dilin Jones all ran extremely well. Wisconsin’s running back room looks like a clear strength.
STUD: Vinny Anthony
Wisconsin wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) makes a reception during the third quarter of their game Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Vinny Anthony is quickly becoming one of Wisconsin’s most dangerous offensive weapons. He took a pass from Locke for a 52-yard touchdown in the first quarter. The touchdown made him the first Badger to log multiple 50+ yard touchdown catches in the same season since 2013. Anthony had a 63-yard touchdown last weekend against USC, then this one against Purdue.
Kekahuna and Anthony are playing their way to increased snaps and targets. Each had a huge afternoon against Purdue.
DUD: Luke Fickell's clock management
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell talks to players during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Again, there aren’t many negatives to take away from Wisconsin’s performance. The only minor criticism of Luke Fickell is his clock management to finish the first half.
Wisconsin was driving into Purdue territory with less than a minute remaining. The Badgers picked up a first down and sent in substitutions, which Purdue was then allowed to match. That led to more and more time ticking off the clock before Fickell finally called timeout. Locke and C.J. Williams bailed the team out the next play, connecting on a pass down to the 1 yard-line — Tawee Walker finished off the drive with a touchdown.
But it was a good result from a bad process. Wisconsin almost handed away a critical scoring opportunity due to poor game management. Again, the result was positive in the end. These minor criticisms are the only that exist after a complete showing.
STUD: Jake Chaney
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) tries to avoid pressure from Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Jake Chaney (1) during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Jake Chaney had possibly his best game of the season against Purdue. He finished with four tackles and two tackles for loss. That second stat is key — Wisconsin’s defense caused havoc for the first time in weeks.
STUD: Hunter Wohler
Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Elijah Jackson (33) rushes with the football as Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) defends during the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Hunter Wohler’s final stats aren’t overly impressive — five total tackles, four solo. But the Badgers’ defensive leader was again everywhere against Purdue. His play especially tends to stick out when the rest of the unit is struggling. Purdue moved the ball a bit in the first half, but Wohler was often the reason those drives came up short.
STUD: Atticus Bertrams
Wisconsin punter Atticus Bertrams (49) punts for 42 yds during the second quarter of the game against Buffalo on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK
We can’t ignore Atticus Bertrams, who forced Purdue into dropping each of his first two punts. That sentence is stated sarcastically, as the glare from the sun also played a big role in the two errors. But Bertrams deserves overall credit for his strong play this season. He’s been one of the most-improved Badgers year-to-year.
STUD: Phil Longo
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo is shown with quarterback Braedyn Locke (18) during the third quarter of their game Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Alabama beat Wisconsin 42-10. Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The offensive coordinator deserves credit when a team scores 52 points and dominates the opposing defense in every facet. That’s what the Badgers did on Saturday, finishing with 361 passing yards, 228 rushing and seven total touchdowns.
Longo has been the focus of intense criticism over the last few weeks. He deserves a ton of credit for Wisconsin’s performance overall, specifically Locke’s improvement throughout the game. Saturday is what the air raid is supposed to look like. That shouldn’t be ignored.
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