Wisconsin hurts LSU’s title hopes

SEC/TOP 25 WISCONSIN 16, NO. 5 LSU 14

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Rafael Gaglianone booted a 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, and Wisconsin’s defense backed up its strong-legged kicker with a late-game interception.

Then LSU offensive lineman Josh Boutte delivered a devastating hit.

The Badgers staved off the fifth-ranked Tigers’ lastditch drive for a 16-14 victory Saturday in a game that dealt an early blow to LSU’s national title hopes.

LSU’s frustration was on full display at the end of the game, when Boutte was ejected for a flagrant foul after a blindside hit on Wisconsin’s D’Cota Dixon. The safety had sealed the victory with an interception with 57 seconds left.

“It was honestly unbelievable when I turned around and saw that D’Cota had the ball in his hands,” Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt said. “A little scuffle broke out from the LSU team. In the end, that’s the way they play football and we have our ways to play football.”

Dixon picked off Brandon Harris at the Wisconsin 25 and slipped to the ground. A nearby official waved both arms above his head as if signaling the play was over, while Dixon ran off with teammates with his right index finger pointed in the air in celebration.

That’s when Boutte rushed over and leveled Dixon.

Coach Les Miles said he had to review the film, but that it was out of character for his lineman.

Boutte, Miles said, was “not a malicious guy, and I just can’t imagine that he saw him go down and then would’ve made a tackle.”

Heisman Trophy hopeful Leonard Fournette ran for 138 yards on 23 carries but walked gingerly to the sideline after his final carry, a 15-yard run with less than 2 minutes left.

Miles said Fournette would have returned if LSU was able to get the ball back.

Instead, the Tigers will limp home with their first loss in a season opener in Miles’ 12 years as LSU coach.

“We knew what was at stake this season. Our goal is to win it all and go undefeated. It’s a hurtful feeling,” cornerback Tre ’Davious White said.

Gaglianone also hit field goals from 30 and 48 yards in the second quarter. The Badgers held LSU to 2 of 10 on third-down conversions.

“Really proud of them. Far from perfect, but they just kept playing and found a way just to make plays,” Wisconsin Coach Paul Chryst said.

AP/MORRY GASH LSU running back Leonard Fournette (top) jumps over Wisconsin safety Leo Musso in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Fournette finished with 138 yards rushing, but the Badgers held on to upset the Tigers 16-14.

AP/MORRY GASH Wisconsin running back Corey Clement had 86 yards rushing to help the Badgers stun No. 5 LSU 16-14 on Saturday.