Final Score: #13 Wisconsin 24 #18 Iowa 22

Brief Recap: Wisconsin was in control after the first quarter of play. Iowa kicked a field goal early and held that 3-0 lead into the second quarter. The Badgers then scored a touchdown and never relinquished the lead. Going into the fourth quarter, Wisconsin led 21-6 and the 15-point lead proved to be too much. Iowa stormed back to make it a two-point game with 3:12 remaining. The Hawkeyes had to go for two and got stopped on what looked to be a called QB draw play. Wisconsin went on to run the clock out thanks to its running game.

Key Moment: When Wisconsin stopped the two-point conversion. The two-point game came down to that. If Iowa makes that conversion, Wisconsin would have to score to close the game, otherwise it would have went into overtime. The Badgers’ defense wasn’t perfect late, but it got the stop it needed when it mattered most.

Key Stat: Wisconsin out-rushed Iowa 299-87. Both of these teams like to run the ball and win with defense. Wisconsin was much better at running the ball and its defense came up clutch at the last possible moment. When the Badgers needed to drain the clock late, it was able to thanks to the running game and offensive line.

Key Player: Jonathan Taylor. Shocker, right? Taylor had over 100 yards in the first half and ended the game with 250. He never scored, but was monumental in how the game played out. He helped not only the offense, but the defense in terms of giving that side of the ball extra rest — especially late. Taylor was a Heisman Trophy candidate earlier this season for a reason and he showed why Saturday afternoon.

What it means for Wisconsin: The Badgers are now 7-2 overall. However, thanks to Minnesota’s upset over Penn State, they remain two games behind the Golden Gophers in the Big Ten West. In order to catch Minnesota, Wisconsin has to not only win that matchup at the end of the season, but it has to hope for another Gophers loss before then. Wisconsin got a win it needed to have here.

What it means for Iowa: The Hawkeyes are now out of the running for the B1G West. Iowa now has three losses in conference and has lost to Wisconsin four years in a row. People say Iowa should be what Wisconsin is, but it never seems to put together the consistency that the Badgers have annually. The Hawkeyes have years where things go their way, but 2019 won’t be one of them.