Wisconsin football fans react to Badgers' incredible comeback victory over Illinois, Braedyn Locke, Braelon Allen and more
For much of Saturday's game against Illinois, it appeared the misery for the Wisconsin Badgers was going to continue.
Then it appears a switch happened. Three fourth-quarter scores, 18 points, and one incredible comeback and game-winning drive for the Badgers, a result that might have saved the season.
In the process, Braedyn Locke, making his first start for the injured Tanner Mordecai, introduced himself to the college football world as he led the Badgers to the 25-21 win over the Illini.
BADGERS DON’T BACK DOWN 🦡🦡#OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/iii8pGchsc
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 21, 2023
It was a remarkable turnaround for the Badgers, who fell behind 21-7 after an Illinois touchdown with 4:30 left in the third quarter.
Were the Badgers about to fall for a second straight season to Bret Bielema's last-place team? And could Wisconsin muster any more offense after ending a touchdown drought of over 100 minutes earlier in the game? And could the defense get a couple of stops?
Led by hard runs by Braelon Allen, impressive poise and throws from Locke (21 for 41 for 240 yards and two touchdowns), along with a defense that did its job after struggling against the run for much of the game, the Badgers shocked the homecoming crowd at Memorial Stadium.
The comeback shocked social media as well.
BADGERS WIN!!! Down 14 points, Wisconsin scores 18 unanswered and get the W!
A huge win over Illinois! pic.twitter.com/03F0jQv2sK— 97.3 The Game (@TheGameMKE) October 21, 2023
Braelyn Locke to offensive lineman Nolan Rucci for the go-ahead touchdown will be talked about for some time
The play you’ve all been waiting for. Nolan Rucci TUDDY. pic.twitter.com/obPS3o2Av3
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 21, 2023
Wisconsin stars on offense include Braedyn Locke, Braelon Allen and Will Pauling
What. A. Play. BADGERS WIN 25-21✅
• Braedyn Locke breakout game
• Braelon Allen best game of the year
• Will Pauling emerges as WR1
Wisconsin finishes on an 18-0 run and moves to 5-2 overall. Talk about an impressive comeback #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/3zWz6lA9g7— IKE Badgers Podcast (@IKE_Badgers) October 21, 2023
Braedyn Locke steps up in his first college start for Wisconsin, leads Badgers on 14-play, 83-yard game-winning drive over final 3 minutes
As soon as Braedyn Locke found his confidence, Wisconsin had a whole new offense. Also, big man touchdowns make the world go round
— Trenten Scheidegger (@TrentScheids) October 21, 2023
Hell of a drive from Wisconsin, Locke has some juice!
— Sam White (@samwhite1012) October 21, 2023
I think Wisconsin has found their QB of the future LOCKE
— Yellow Bird (@yellowcordero) October 21, 2023
#Badgers win in Braedyn Locke’s first career start!
25-21 Wisconsin defeats Illinois pic.twitter.com/pxMjs5u5It— Luke Gamble (@LukeGambleTV) October 21, 2023
What a comeback by Wisconsin. What a game by Braedyn Locke!!
— Eric Custer (@ecust23) October 21, 2023
Braelon Allen was motivated and he showed it with his bruising runs (145 yards for two touchdowns)
Braelon Allen circled the Illinois game after what happened last year.
“I knew what time it was when we got off the bus and they didn’t.” #Badgers pic.twitter.com/Of4bggpfNK— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) October 22, 2023
Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen is such a tough dude to bring down. pic.twitter.com/cc1DI1sfSz
— BOLTS Draft Talk (@BoltsDraftTalk) October 21, 2023
Badgers back in first place in Big Ten West after Iowa lost to Minnesota around the same time
Badgers with a season-saving comeback ... and Minnesota beats Iowa. The Battle of the Mediocre (aka the Big Ten West race) got more interesting.
That said, what was absent for UW in the second half? Penalties. Miscues. Lack of confidence. All washed away. There's hope after all.— Art Kabelowsky (@KabelowskyArt) October 21, 2023
Just when people were starting to spit the hook on the #Badgers under coach Luke Fickell, QB Braedyn Locke leads a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Illinois. If Fickell succeeds at #Wisconsin, this win could be the start. And no one rallied at the end more than OC Phil Longo.
— Tom Oates (@TomOatesWSJ) October 21, 2023
TURNING POINT: Illinois' Jer'Zhan Newton ejected from game after targeting hit on Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin football fans react to Braedyn Locke to Rucci, comeback win
