PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The weather that enveloped High Point Solutions Stadium on Saturday was miserable: temperatures in the mid-40s, a persistent rain, no sun and a biting wind.
Wisconsin, looking for its first victory away from home this season, fashioned a performance that fit the conditions.
Wisconsin’s defense frustrated Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova and his teammates all day in a 37-0 Big Ten victory in front of a lifeless crowd announced at 52,797.
The Badgers (6-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) extended their winning streak to three games and moved into a tie with idle Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska in the West Division.
The Badgers became bowl-eligible for the 13th consecutive season, the longest streak in the Big Ten, as Melvin Gordon rushed 19 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns. However, he appeared to tweak his left knee with 13 minutes, 4 seconds left in the game and did not return.
Backup Corey Clement scored on a 36-yard run on the next play and also had a 43-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He finished with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
Quarterbacks Joel Stave and Tanner McEvoy did not shine Saturday. Stave completed 7 of 16 passes for 81 yards and McEvoy was 1-for-4 for 6 yards with an interception. He rushed five times for 20 yards.
The game was scoreless when reserve safety A.J. Jordan blocked a punt to give the Badgers the ball at the Rutgers’ 20 with 4:19 left in the opening quarter. Gordon ripped off a 13-yard touchdown run with 2:52 left in the quarter.
Another play from the special teams led to Wisconsin’s second touchdown.
Punter Drew Meyer, punting with a tricky wind at his back, hit a 31-yarder to pin the Scarlet Knights at their 10. Wisconsin recorded a three-and-out, the Badgers took over at their 48 after a 31-yard punt and scored after just two plays. Clement’s 43-yard touchdown run made it 14-0.
Marcus Trotter’s interception and 18-yard return to the Rutgers’ 32 led to a 32-yard field goal by Rafael Gaglianone and a 17-0 lead. Gaglianone later added a 27-yard field goal for a 20-0 lead.
The second half was more of the same as the crowd thinned and the lack of noise was deafening.
Gordon ripped off a 51-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the second half and Rutgers finally pulled Nova from the lineup. Nova completed 5 of 15 passes for 41 yards, with an interception. He struggled to move and was sacked three times for a combined 19 yards in losses.
His replacement, redshirt freshman Chris Laviano, didn’t fare much better against a defense that appears to be growing stronger with every week.
And that development might be the most important for Andersen’s team as the Badgers prepare for the second half of Big Ten play.
WISCONSIN 37 RUTGERS 0
Wisconsin 7 13 10 7- 37
Rutgers 0 0 0 0- 0
First Quarter
WIS-Me.Gordon 13 yard rush (Gaglianone kick), 2:52.
Second Quarter
WIS-C.Clement 43 yard rush (Gaglianone kick), 9:36.
WIS-Gaglianone 32 yard field goal, 3:14.
WIS-Gaglianone 27 yard field goal, 0:06.
Third Quarter
WIS-Me.Gordon 51 yard rush (Gaglianone kick), 13:11.
WIS-Gaglianone 46 yard field goal, 6:28.
Fourth Quarter
WIS-C.Clement 36 yard rush (Gaglianone kick), 12:56.
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TEAM STATISTICS
WIS RUTG
First Downs 16 8
Rushes-Yards 46-298 29-76
Passing 87 63
Sacked-Yds Lost 1-7 0-0
Comp-Att-Int 8-20-1 7-27-1
Return Yards 78 114
Punts 6-34.5 10-36.7
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties-Yards 7-56 4-35
Time of Possession 35:16 24:44
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-WIS, C.Clement 14-131, Me.Gordon 19-128, McEvoy 5-20, Ogunbowale 5-17, Stave 2-1, G.Rushing 1-1. RUTG, Rb.Martin 13-63, J.Goodwin 7-15, D.Peoples 5-9, Laviano 1-8, Nova 3-(minus 19).
PASSING-WIS, Stave 7-16-0-81, McEvoy 1-4-1-6. RUTG, Nova 5-15-1-46, Laviano 2-12-0-17.
RECEIVING-WIS, G.Rushing 2-32, Fredrick 2-15, Fumagalli 1-18, K.Sanders 1-10, C.Clement 1-6, S.Arneson 1-6. RUTG, A.Patton 3-18, Carroo 2-33, Kroft 1-8, Agudosi 1-4.
