Wisconsin outlasts Arizona State 20-13 to take the Las Vegas Bowl
The 2021 season came to an end with a final drive that perfectly summed up Wisconsin’s year. With Arizona State holding all the momentum in a second half dominated by the Sun Devils defense, the Badgers were clinging to a 20-13 lead with 9:57 remaining. Wisconsin took over at their own 3-yard line. Arizona State never saw the football again.
On a game-sealing drive that lasted nearly ten minutes and fittingly ended in a turnover on downs in the red zone, Wisconsin ended any hopes of a miraculous Arizona State comeback.
The 20-13 Las Vegas Bowl win was a microcosm of the season in more ways than just the final drive. Following a theme of the year, Wisconsin started well before struggling to maintain control in the second half. The evening began with safety John Torchio intercepting Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels and Wisconsin quickly cashed in with an 8-yard John Chenal touchdown run.
After an Arizona State field goal, Braelon Allen exploded for a 43-yard run to set up a Jake Ferguson touchdown grab. The Badgers took a 14-3 lead with them to the end of the first quarter. The second quarter saw Wisconsin’s defense bending again, but refusing to break. Arizona State tacked on a field goal, while Collin Larsh connected on a career-high 48-yard field goal before hitting a 35-yard kick late in the first half to give Wisconsin a 20-6 lead at the half.
After allowing Allen to surpass 100 rushing yards in the first half, Arizona State’s defense stood tall against the run in the third quarter. Wisconsin outgained the Sun Devils 216-95 in total first half yards, but Arizona State had turned that deficit into a 219-209 advantage at one point in the second half.
Sun Devils running back Daniyel Ngata punched in their lone touchdown of the evening midway through the third quarter, as Arizona State cut the Badger lead to 20-13.
Wisconsin’s defense was able to stand strong the rest of the way, as the Badger offense delivered the final punch with their nearly ten minute drive that put the game to bed.
Allen ultimately finished with 29 carries for 159 yards, and took home the Las Vegas Bowl MVP award.
