EVANSTON, Ill. — Wisconsin won its third straight Big Ten game, earning a 23-3 win over Northwestern on the lakefront in Evanston, Illinois on Saturday.

The Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) stout defense was consistent throughout the game and UW's rushing attack set the tone offensively.

Wisconsin created havoc all day long, blocking a field goal, tallying a strip-sack and recording a safety in the victory.

Defensively, Wisconsin has allowed just one touchdown over its last three games. The last time UW had such a stretch was 2015.

Running back Tawee Walker ran for over 100 rushing yards for the third straight week, finishing with 126 yards on 23 carries.

Quarterback Braedyn Locke finished 14-for-24 for 160 yards passing, throwing for one touchdown and rushing for another.

Both teams went back and forth in the first quarter, with a combined five punts between both teams and one missed field goal by the Wildcats.

Locke finally broke open the scoring early in the second quarter, scampering in on an 8-yard touchdown run at the 14:31 mark of the second frame.

Special teams made a big impact for the Badgers in the first half, as Charlie Jarvis blocked a punt in the first quarter and Ben Barten blocked a 28-yard field goal attempt by Northwestern in the second quarter.

The Wildcats came up with a special teams play of their own, denying Wisconsin on a 40-yard field goal attempt from Nathanial Vakos midway through the second quarter.

Defense created offense for the Badgers just before halftime. After John Pius forced a fumble and Elijah Hills recovered it inside of the Northwestern 5-yard line, Cade Yacameli and the UW offense capitalized with a 3-yard touchdown run to push Wisconsin's lead to 14-0 at the break.

Wisconsin's defense, which entered the game allowing a combined 13 points over its two games prior, held Northwestern scoreless in the first half for the first time all season.

The Wildcats got on the scoreboard with a 26-yard field goal by Luke Akers, cutting into the lead at 14-3 with 6:46 left to play in the third quarter.

In the closing seconds of the third quarter, Locke connected with tight end Tucker Ashcraft on a 3-yard touchdown pass to push Wisconsin's lead back to 21-3.

UW's defense continued to make plays and added to the lead by recording a safety in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. Sebastian Cheeks and Curt Neal came together and combined for a sack in NU's own end zone.

Up Next: Wisconsin hosts No. 3 Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 26 for a 6:30 p.m. (CT) kickoff at Camp Randall Stadium.