LINCOLN, NE (WSAU) — The Badgers erased a 14-3 fourth-quarter deficit in a 15-14 win over Nebraska on Saturday to claim the Freedom Trophy and secure a bowl bid.
The two sides played to a scoreless first quarter before Nebraska took a 7-0 lead midway through the second. Wisconsin didn’t get on the board until late in the 3rd when Nate Van Zelst nailed a 25-yard field goal.
Wisconsin turned it up in the 4th when Gram Mertz found Skyler Bell from 10 yards out. Mertz put the Badgers up for good in the final minute with a QB sneak from the one.
Both touchdowns came with failed two-point conversion attempts.
Chez Mellusi led the offense with 98 rushing yards. Braelon Allen wasn’t far behind with 92 yards. Mertz recorded eight completions for 83 yards along with one touchdown and one pick.
However, the biggest Badger football story to come out of Saturday wasn’t the game. Following the game, the official UW Employment website posted the head coaching position for the football team. Though indications are the University will not look far to fill the position.
As noted, two sources told us Leonhard will be the man. Neither source was surprised. I wrote a quick story that should be posted soon. https://t.co/qeGchEe2XW
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) November 20, 2022
Insider Jeff Potrykus says two sources close to the situation have indicated that the post will be up for seven days. Sometime after that Leonhard will likely have the interim tag removed from his title.
Leonhard was named interim coach following Paul Chryst’s firing on October 2nd. At that time the Badgers were 2-3 (0-2 B1G) and coming off a loss to Illinois. Since then the Badgers are 4-2 including a 42-7 thumping of Northwestern in Leonhard’s first game in charge.
Wisconsin is now 6-5 on the season and 4-4 in Big Ten play. Their last regular-season game is next Saturday at home against Minnesota in the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Kickoff has been set for 2:30 from Camp Randall, pregame coverage on WSAU will begin at 12:30.
