BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin's tightest Big Ten Conference football series will be on display Saturday at 11 a.m. when it plays Penn State in University Park, Pennsylvania. The Badgers (6-3 overall, 4-2 in league play) have lost the last three meetings — and five of the last six — putting the overall series at 9-9. Wisconsin hasn't beaten the Nittany Lions (6-3, 3-3) since 2011 and haven't won in Happy Valley since 2003. In case you're wondering, the next closest series for the Badgers is Minnesota (60-59-8) followed by Iowa (46-43-2).
Here are five more things to know:
It's Been a While
The last time the Badgers won in Happy Valley was Oct. 4, 2003 when they prevailed 30-23. Perspective: Jim Leonhard returned a punt 65 yards for a third-quarter touchdown that gave Wisconsin a 23-9 lead in that game. He's now the Badgers' defensive coordinator. Perspective: Joe Thomas was a backup at left tackle to Morgan Davis and wore No. 82 to line up as a blocking tight end in that game. Perspective: Thomas just retired from the NFL after a first-ballot-worthy Hall of Fame career as a left tackle. Perspective: The Badgers have had four head coaches, played 202 games — 72 on the road — and started 13 different quarterbacks since their last road win over Penn State.
You're Being Disruptive
Wisconsin defenders broke up a season-high eight passes on the way to a 31-17 victory over Rutgers last Saturday. That continued a notable trend. Over the last four games, the Badgers have six interceptions and 14 breakups while allowing two TD passes. During that time, the Wisconsin secondary has had eight different starters, including two redshirt freshmen (cornerbacks Deron Harrell and Faion Hicks) and two true freshmen (strong safety Reggie Pearson and cornerback Rachad Wildgoose).
Going Forward
The Badgers have allowed 28 tackles for loss, matching Army for the fewest allowed among Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Wisconsin's top four rushers — sophomore tailback Jonathan Taylor, senior tailback Taiwan Deal, sophomore tailback Garrett Groshek and senior fullback Alec Ingold — have combined for 338 carries and have recorded negative-yardage runs on only 10 of those attempts.
Giving Thanks Early
Over the last four-plus seasons, the Badgers are 10-0 on the road in November. None of those opponents were rated in the Associated Press poll. Penn State is ranked 21st despite three losses in the last five games.
Distinguished Company
Wisconsin's Paul Chryst is the third coach in modern Big Ten history (since 1946) to win at least 40 of his first 50 games at a conference school. His 40-10 record is right behind Ohio State's Urban Meyer (47-3, 2012 to '15) and Michigan's Bo Schembechler (44-6, 1969 to '73).
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