Red with frustration
Offense can’t capitalize on three critical scoring chances
MADISON – Remember all the issues that plagued Wisconsin’s offense during the disappointing 2020 season, issues that ultimately placed too great a burden on the Badgers’ defense?
Well for at least one game in 2021, those issues remained unresolved and are proving to be just as costly.
UW squandered three critical trips into the red zone, with two ending in turnovers by quarterback Graham Mertz, and suffered a 16-10 loss to Penn
State on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
A crowd of 76,832 came hoping to be entertained in the 2021 opener, but instead left disappointed.
The Badgers converted just 1 of 4 redzone chances, just 7 of 21 chances on third down and failed on fourth and goal at the 8 when Mertz threw an interception with 2 minutes 16 seconds left in the game and UW trailing by six.
The Nittany Lions secured the victory when Mertz threw his second interception, this one on 3rd and 17 from the Penn State 32 on the final play of the game.
“We’ve got to find ways to finish,” UW coach Paul Chryst said. “Certainly had a number of opportunities in the red zone and didn’t do a good job of scoring points.”
Give credit to Penn State’s defense for coming up with big plays at critical times, but UW’s players and coaches no doubt will also point to mistakes they made, including two in the red zone.
UW last season averaged just 25.1 points per game, the program’s worst mark since the 2004 season when the Badgers finished at 20.8 points per game.
There were thought to be extenuating circumstances, however.
Mertz was diagnosed with COVID-19 after a sparking starting debut in the opener against Illinois. The running game was below UW standards and wide receivers Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor played in a combined five games because of season-ending concussions.
Chez Mellusi (31 carries, 121 yards) and Isaac Guerendo (13 carries, 56 yards) helped UW rush finish at 180 yards Saturday.
Davis (eight catches, 99 yards) and Pryor (one catch, 11 yards) went the distance Saturday.
Yet with Mertz losing one fumble and throwing two interceptions and finishing 22 of 37 for 185 yards, the offense was again inefficient.
“There definitely were a lot of things that fell on my plate, that I’ve got to clean up,” Mertz said. “And I will. I’m going
to do anything I can to make sure I’m ready to go.”
UW failed to convert on its first two red-chances, with one ending in a blocked field-goal attempt and the other in a fumble on a botched exchange between Mertz and Mellusi.
Those early miscues proved critical. UW’s final two series ended on the Penn State 8 and 32, respectively.
Facing fourth and goal from the 8, Mertz tried to hit tight end Jake Ferguson. Safety Jaquan Brisker diagnosed the play and drifted over to make a leaping interception at the 2 and then rambled 41 yards to the Penn State 43 with 2:16 left.
“He read my eyes,” Mertz said. On UW’s final possession, Mertz missed Chimere Dike wide open over the middle for what would have been a 25-yard touchdown on first down.
“Yep,” Mertz said when asked whether he had a clear look at Dike breaking open. “Should have been a touchdown.”
Both defenses controlled the flow for most of the opening quarter and the teams combined for 100 yards of offense
on 32 plays.
UW had the first chance to score but two key mistakes resulted in the Badgers getting nothing.
The Badgers drove from their 47 to first and goal at the 2 but backup center Kayden Lyles was called for a false start on first down. After Mellusi gained nothing on first down, Mertz threw incomplete on second and third down.
Defensive end Arnold Ebiketie then blocked Collin Larsh’s 25-yard field-goal attempt with 13:21 left in the half.
UW’s defense forced a three-and-out and the offense moved from its 25 to the Penn State 8. But facing third and 6, Mertz and Mellusi botched a handoff and Penn State’s Nick Tarburton recovered at the Nittany Lions’ 13 with 4:59 left in the half.
“We jump off-side,” Chryst said. “We had a missed exchange. You’ve got to take care of the football. We didn’t do it well enough today.”
UW finished the half with 132 yards on 43 plays.
Penn State’s offense was even less effective as the Nittany Lions managed 43 yards on 22 plays.
If you like defense, this half was for you.
If you like offense, you might have changed the channel.
Penn State’s Sean Clifford hit several big throws after halftime, however, led two touchdown drives and finished with 247 passing yards.
The Nittany Lions needed just 55 seconds and four plays to drive 86 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
UW responded with a critical touchdown drive.
Mertz hit 3 of 4 passes for 42 yards to help move the ball from the UW 25 to the Penn State 3. Mellusi the capped the 10play drive with a 3-yard run to help UW forge a 7-7 tie with 8:01 left.
UW’s defense gave up another big pass play – this time a 52 yarder to the Badgers’ 27 on third and 10.
The Nittany Lions moved to the six but Jordan Stout missed a 23-yard fieldgoal attempt.
UW failed to take advantage of that miscue but after the defense held Penn State again, the Badgers moved from their 20 to the Penn State 26 before the drive stalled.
That brought on Larsh for a 43-yard field-goal attempt. Larsh, just 2 of 7 from 40 yards or longer at UW, drilled this kick for a 10-7 lead with 13:36 remaining.
UW’s defense, which had been spectacular for all but one series, buckled again as Penn State took a 16-10 lead late in the fourth quarter.
The pressure was on UW’s offense. UW drove into Penn State territory but ultimately faced fourth and goal from the 8.
Brisker than made his big play, but UW’s defense forced a Penn State punt and the Badgers took over at their 18.
UW drove to the Penn State 25 but Mertz missed Dike open over the middle and then was called for intentional grounding. He then threw an interception on the final play of the game.
Brutal ending, but fitting for an offense that committed too many mistakes.
UW had 95 plays and held the ball for 42:14 and managed just 10 points.
“Whether it is the first game or the last game, Chryst said, “you should be better than that.”