Wisconsin wins fifth straight, beats Rutgers, bowl eligible
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) - Graham Mertz threw a season-high three touchdown passes and Wisconsin won its fifth straight game and become bowl eligible for the 20th straight year with a 52-3 victory over Rutgers on Saturday.
Chez Mellusi, Braelon Allen and Jackson Acker each ran for a touchdown and cornerback Caesar Williams highlighted a dominant performance by the Badgers' top-ranked defense by returning an interception 29 yards for a TD.
Mertz's touchdown passes covered 1-yard to John Chenal, 25 yards to Kendric Pryor and 72 yards to Danny Davis as the Badgers had their biggest point production since scoring 61 against Central Michigan early in 2019.
Coupled with No. 20 Minnesota's loss to Illinois, Wisconsin (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) will have a share of first place in the conference's West Division after opening the season with a 1-3 start, its worst since 1990.
Rutgers (4-5, 1-5) lost for the fifth time in six games in seeing its hopes for a first bowl bid since 2014 take another hit after a 3-0 start. The 52-points tied Ohio State for most allowed by the Scarlet Knights this season.
Wisconsin never trailed in beating Rutgers for the fourth time in as many games.
Wisconsin safety John Torchio (15) makes a catch during warm up before an NCAA college football game against Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Mellusi opened the scoring with a 14-yard run on the second play after linebacker Noah Burks intercepted Noah Vedral's first pass and returned it to the Scarlet Knights 15.
Val Ambrosio's 24 yard field goal on the ensuing series were Rutgers' only points. The Badgers scored 24 in the second quarter to put the game away.
The turning point came after a short field goal by Collin Larsh. Former Badger Aron Cruickshank fumbled on the ensuing kickoff return and that set up the short, fourth-down TD pass by Mertz, who was 11 of 16 for 240 yards. Fourteen seconds later, Williams scored on the interception return and the rout was on.
DISCIPLINE
Scarlet Knights defensive end and co-captain Mike Tverdov and receiver Brandon Sanders did not play for a violation of team rules.
DEFENSE
The Badgers are forcing turnovers galore. They had eight in beating nationally ranked Iowa and Purdue in the previous two games. They added four more against Rutgers Saturday. The Scarlet Knights were limited to 207 yards.
UP NEXT
Wisconsin: Returns home to face Northwestern on Saturday.
Rutgers: At Indiana on Saturday.
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Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi (6) rushes for a touchdown against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi (6) rushes for a touchdown against Rutgers defensive back Christian Izien (0) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin cornerback Caesar Williams (21) scores a touchdown after intercepting a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin cornerback Caesar Williams (21) intercepts a pass in front of Rutgers wide receiver Shameen Jones (7) during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi (6) is tackled by Rutgers defensive back Max Melton (16) and linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
