4 takeaways from Wisconsin football's 24-13 victory over Rutgers - Jackson Acker's breakout game at running back

Wisconsin's victory over Rutgers solidifies their position as the most complete team in the West Division.

In the world of college football, Luke Fickell's first Wisconsin team is showing some areas that need improvement. However, despite these imperfections, the Badgers are still finding ways to win and currently stand as the most well-rounded team in the West Division. With a 24-13 victory over Rutgers at Camp Randall Stadium, UW remains the only team in the division with a perfect conference record.

One of the key factors in their success was their ability to control Rutgers' rushing attack throughout the game. UW's defense shut down the Scarlet Knights' ground game, while also making several big plays on both offense and defense. Braelon Allen's 18-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, following a three-and-out by the defense, helped the Badgers take a 10-0 lead. And Ricardo Hallman's incredible interception and 95-yard return for a touchdown just before halftime halted Rutgers' best scoring opportunity and gave UW a commanding 17-0 lead at the break.

In addition to their defensive prowess, the Badgers also had some standout performances on offense. With Chez Mellusi sidelined due to injury, Jackson Acker, a local Verona High School graduate, stepped up to complement Allen in the running game. Acker rushed for 44 yards on six carries in the first half, finishing the game with 65 yards on 13 carries. Allen, who Fickell had hoped would average around 18 carries per game, had a solid outing with 21 rushes for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Rutgers entered the game as the third-best rushing team in the Big Ten, averaging 195.2 yards per game. However, they struggled to find running lanes against UW's stout defense, managing only 41 rushing yards on 15 attempts in the first half. They finished the game with just 64 yards on 22 attempts. Kyle Monangai, their star tailback who had been averaging 5.4 yards per carry, was held to just 16 yards on eight carries.

While the Badgers' defense was dominant, their offense had a bit of a rocky start. Unlike their previous game against Purdue, where they scored on their first three possessions, they struggled to find their rhythm against Rutgers. They managed to score three times on 11 full possessions, but also lost two fumbles, one by Allen and one by tight end Hayden Rucci. Quarterback Mordecai had some success with his legs but missed on a few throws, and the running game was only average.

Despite these offensive challenges, the Badgers' defense remained strong. In the third quarter, they had an opportunity to extend their lead but failed to convert on both third and fourth down at the Rutgers 43-yard line. Acker was given the ball on both attempts, and Rutgers took advantage of the turnover on downs, driving 57 yards for a touchdown.

In terms of personnel, Jordan Turner and Jake Chaney got the start at inside linebacker for UW, just as they did in the previous game against Purdue. Maema Njongmeta, who had been a starter in the past, only saw limited playing time in this game. It seems that the coaching staff has made the decision to go with Chaney as the preferred option over Njongmeta.

Overall, despite their imperfections, the Badgers continue to find ways to win and maintain their status as the team to beat in the West Division. With a strong defense and some standout performances on offense, they are proving to be a formidable opponent for any Big Ten team. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how they continue to develop and improve.

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