Hornibrook lifts Badgers over Miami in Orange Bowl

MIAMI — Alex Hornibrook’s first pass of the night was a wobbler, one that seemed to slip out of his hand.

Nearly everything else he threw was just about perfect.

Hornibrook threw four touchdown passes, three to Danny Davis, as No. 6 Wisconsin capped the winningest season in school history, by topping No. 11 Miami, 34-24, in the Orange Bowl on Saturday night.

“We knew we had what it takes to win this game,” said Hornibrook.

And the Big Ten — shut out of the College Football Playoff after Wisconsin lost to Ohio State in the conference title game — moved to 7-0 in bowls this season.

Jonathan Taylor ran for 130 yards on 26 carries for the Badgers (13-1), who rallied from a 14-3 deficit.

The Badgers dominated time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 40 minutes. Hornibrook completed 23 of 34 passes for 258 yards, going 20 for 25 in the final three quarters.

In the second quarter Hornibrook threw TD passes on three consecutive possessions on the way to taking a 24-14 lead into the half.

Hurricanes coach Richt was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct just before the third of those scores, after losing his cool while arguing with officials about what replays showed was a missed holding call that would have pushed Wisconsin back. He grabbed at head linesman Gus Morris — part of the SEC crew on the game — while pleading his case, as Miami security personnel unsuccessfully tried to keep him calm.

“Apologies to anyone who can read lips,” Richt said.