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Wisconsin Badgers Nick Herbig fires up his teammates before kickoff of the first game of the football season against the Illinois State Redbirds, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers Nick Herbig fires up his teammates before kickoff of the first game of the football season against the Illinois State Redbirds, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers Nick Herbig fires up his teammates before kickoff of the first game of the football season against the Illinois State Redbirds, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: David Stluka
Wisconsin mascot Bucky Badger leads the team out of the locker room and into an electric Camp Randall Stadium before the Badgers' NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin mascot Bucky Badger leads the team out of the locker room and into an electric Camp Randall Stadium before the Badgers' NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin mascot Bucky Badger leads the team out of the locker room and into an electric Camp Randall Stadium before the Badgers' NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds, Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: David Stluka
Wisconsin Badgers' safety John Torchio (15) sets a new Wisconsin school record with a 100-yard pick-six during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers' safety John Torchio (15) sets a new Wisconsin school record with a 100-yard pick-six during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers' safety John Torchio (15) sets a new Wisconsin school record with a 100-yard pick-six during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: Tom Lynn
Wisconsin Badgers' quarterback Graham Mertz (5) fires the football downfield to his receiver during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers' quarterback Graham Mertz (5) fires the football downfield to his receiver during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers' quarterback Graham Mertz (5) fires the football downfield to his receiver during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: Tom Lynn
Wisconsin Badgers' nose tackle Keeanu Benton (95) pumps up the crowd after an impressive defensive display against the Illinois State Red Birds during an NCAA football game at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers' nose tackle Keeanu Benton (95) pumps up the crowd after an impressive defensive display against the Illinois State Red Birds during an NCAA football game at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers' nose tackle Keeanu Benton (95) pumps up the crowd after an impressive defensive display against the Illinois State Red Birds during an NCAA football game at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: Tom Lynn
After missing his games due to injury in 2021, Wisconsin Badgers' running back Chez Mellusi (1) returned to the field and rushed for 48 yards against Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. After missing his games due to injury in 2021, Wisconsin Badgers' running back Chez Mellusi (1) returned to the field and rushed for 48 yards against Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
After missing his games due to injury in 2021, Wisconsin Badgers' running back Chez Mellusi (1) returned to the field and rushed for 48 yards against Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: Tom Lynn
Wisconsin Badgers running back Isaac Guerendo (20) rushes one yard to score the Badgers’ fifth touchdown of the night during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers running back Isaac Guerendo (20) rushes one yard to score the Badgers’ fifth touchdown of the night during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers running back Isaac Guerendo (20) rushes one yard to score the Badgers’ fifth touchdown of the night during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: David Stluka
Wisconsin Badgers' linebacker Kaden Johnson (52) rushes past his Illinois State defender during an NCAA football game at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers' linebacker Kaden Johnson (52) rushes past his Illinois State defender during an NCAA football game at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers' linebacker Kaden Johnson (52) rushes past his Illinois State defender during an NCAA football game at Camp Randall Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: Tom Lynn
Wisconsin Badgers' wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) runs downfield with the football after a reception during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers' wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) runs downfield with the football after a reception during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers' wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) runs downfield with the football after a reception during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: Tom Lynn
Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen dives into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen dives into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen dives into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: David Stluka
Wisconsin football defensive teammates celebrate during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. The Badgers' defense shutout the Redbirds, 38-0. Wisconsin football defensive teammates celebrate during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. The Badgers' defense shutout the Redbirds, 38-0.
Wisconsin football defensive teammates celebrate during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. The Badgers' defense shutout the Redbirds, 38-0.
Photo Credit: Tom Lynn
Wisconsin Badgers' place kicker Vito Calvaruso (91) point-after attempt is good as he makes the most of his first game in Camp Randall Stadium (after transferring from Arkansas) during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers' place kicker Vito Calvaruso (91) point-after attempt is good as he makes the most of his first game in Camp Randall Stadium (after transferring from Arkansas) during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers' place kicker Vito Calvaruso (91) point-after attempt is good as he makes the most of his first game in Camp Randall Stadium (after transferring from Arkansas) during an NCAA football game vs Illinois State on Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: Tom Lynn
Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) celebrates his 96-yard touchdown run, the longest in school history, with teammates Graham Mertz (5), Clay Cundiff (85) and Jackson Acker (34) during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds, at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) celebrates his 96-yard touchdown run, the longest in school history, with teammates Graham Mertz (5), Clay Cundiff (85) and Jackson Acker (34) during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds, at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) celebrates his 96-yard touchdown run, the longest in school history, with teammates Graham Mertz (5), Clay Cundiff (85) and Jackson Acker (34) during an NCAA college football game against the Illinois State Redbirds, at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 in Madison, Wis.
Photo Credit: David Stluka
0
Illinois St. IS 0-1 , 0-0
38
Winner Wisconsin UW 1-0 , 0-0
Illinois St. IS
0-1 , 0-0
0
Final
38
Wisconsin UW
1-0 , 0-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
IS Illinois St. 0 0 0 0 0
UW Wisconsin 7 10 14 7 38

Game Recap: Football |

Records Broken: Badgers shutout Redbirds 38-0

Allen, Torchio lead Wisconsin to season-opening victory and new school records

MADISON, Wis. — Braelon Allen had a 96-yard touchdown scamper for the longest run from scrimmage in Wisconsin history and John Torchio had the school's longest interception return as the 18th-ranked Badgers opened their season with a 38-0 rout of Illinois State on Saturday night.

Torchio opened the scoring with a 100-yard interception return late in the first quarter.

Wisconsin's longest run from scrimmage before Allen's was James White's 93-yard burst in a 51-3 triumph over Indiana in 2013. Torchio broke the record previously held by Joe Ferguson, who scored on a 99-yard interception return in a 59-10 victory over Utah State in 2017.

Allen ended up with 148 yards and two touchdowns — including a 1-yard score on fourth-and-goal in the third quarter — on 14 carries.

Wisconsin had one other big play aside from the two record-setting touchdowns.

Chimere Dike caught a pass around the line of scrimmage and turned it into a 74-yard gain, the longest completion of third-year starter Graham Mertz's career. Mertz found Dike all alone in the left corner of the end zone three plays later for a 16-yard touchdown that extended Wisconsin's lead to 31-0 late in the third quarter.

Illinois State was facing a Big Ten team for the first time since 2016, when the Football Championship Subdivision program won 9-7 at Northwestern on a field goal as time expired.

But the Badgers took the suspense out of this one early. Illinois State lost its main weapon on offense when running back Cole Mueller was carted off the field on the Redbirds' second series. Mueller rushed for a team-high 977 yards last season.

The Redbirds did make things interesting for a little while, though.

Illinois State outgained Wisconsin 78-6 and possessed the ball for over 13 ½ minutes in the first quarter, but still trailed 7-0 because of Torchio's takeaway.

The Redbirds faced second-and-10 from the 12 when Minnesota transfer Zack Annexstad attempted to throw across the middle to tight end Tanner Taula, who was standing around the goal line.

Torchio picked off the pass, headed to his right and capitalized on downfield blocks from teammates Max Lofy and Hunter Wohler to make it to the other end zone.

The Badgers produced their next record-setting play 90 seconds into the second quarter.

Wisconsin was facing first-and-14 at its own 4 when Allen took a handoff and looked for running room. Illinois State outside linebacker Zeke Vandenburgh had his hands on Allen in the backfield, but the 18-year-old sophomore broke out of his grasp and found a huge hole on the right side of the line.

Allen took off and headed down the right sideline. Cornerback Franky West tried to chase the ballcarrier down and made a diving attempt at an ankle tackle inside the 10, but Allen made it into the right corner of the end zone.

Annexstad went 16 of 24 for 186 yards in his Illinois State debut, but also threw two interceptions. Mueller rushed for 21 yards on three carries before his injury. The rest of Illinois State's players combined for 36 yards on 23 carries.

Wisconsin returns home next Saturday, Sept. 10. Kickoff against Washington State is at 2:30 p.m. CT on FOX.
 

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