By Staff
MADISON, Wisc. – It was supposed to be a tune up for this week's Big Ten showdown with undefeated and top-ranked Ohio State.
Someone forgot to tell Wisconsin and Illinois.
Michigan lost its first Big Ten game of the season as the Badgers raced out to a first lead and then held on for a 37-21 victory over the Wolverines.
Michigan (8-3, 6-1 Big Ten) again played without standout running back Mike Hart and played most of the game without starting quarterback Chad Henne.
Henne, who is suffering from a shoulder injury, was 3-of-5 for 28 yards and an interception in limited action.
Freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett came off the bench and after a slow start, rallied the Wolverines in the fourth quarter.
But Wisconsin (8-3, 4-3) was able to withstand the comeback effort by Michigan and pull off the upset.
The Badgers nearly let a 23-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter disappear.
Mallett, who threw a second quarter touchdown pass to Mario Manningham to cut the Wisconsin lead to 17-7, hit Manningham for a 97-yard bomb and connected with Adrian Arrington on a 26-yard score as Michigan closed to within 23-21.
The Badgers would regroup and a pair of touchdown runs by Zach Brown put the game away. Brown, who was replacing injured standout P.J. Hill, scored on runs of 6- and 2-yards.
The Wolverines was unable to run the football without Hart and failed to stop the Badgers' running game. Wisconsin finished with 237 yards rushing and 477 yards in total offense.
The Wolverines were held to just 47 yards rushing and 320 yards in total offense.
Mallett ended up being 11-of-36 with a pair of interceptions and three touchdowns. He finished with 245 yards passing.
Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor both carried the ball nine times for the Wolverines, combining for 72 yards.
Manningham finished the game with three catches for 113 yards, while Arrington had seven receptions for 101 yards.
Brown finished the day with 108 yards on 27 carries. Badger quarterback Tyler Donovan was 14-of-27 for 245 yards and a touchdown. Paul Hubbard had seven catches for 134 yards. Travis Beckum added six receptions for 106 yards.
Michigan must now regroup and get ready to face Ohio State on Saturday in Ann Arbor with the Big Ten title on the line.
The Buckeyes were upset by Illinois on Saturday 28-21.
Michigan has not defeated Ohio State since 2003.
Michigan 0 7 0 14 – 21
Wisconsin 7 13 3 14 – 37
WIS – Beckum,Travis 10 pass from Donovan, Tyler (Mehlhaff,Taylor kick)
WIS – Mehlhaff 27 field goal
WIS – Donovan 2 run (Mehlhaff kick)
MICH – Manningham, Mario 12 pass from Mallett, Ryan (Lopata, K.C. kick)
WIS – Mehlhaff 40 field goal
WIS – Mehlhaff 19 field goal
MICH – Manningham 97 pass from Mallett (Lopata kick)
MICH – Arrington, Adrian 26 pass from Mallett (Lopata kick)
WIS – Brown, Zach 6 run (Mehlhaff kick)
WIS – Brown 2 run (Mehlhaff kick)