Game 304: Eastern Michigan @ #18 Wisconsin

Finish.
The word was ringing through Badger ears all week.
A frustrating game last Saturday against Penn State had Wisconsin dominating the time of possession battle 42:51 – 17:09, but repeatedly failing to cross the goal line when reaching the red zone. Wisconsin lost 16-10. The packed Camp Randall that had bubbled over with “jump around” energy ended up quietly deflating.
This week’s game against Eastern Michigan was the opportunity to remedy those offensive stutters.

Night games are magic at Camp Randall: Nearby neighborhood bars and residences flowing over with beer-saturated fans. Brats sizzling throughout various tailgating locations. The Badger band drowning the streets with sound. Another electric crowd was brewing, and the focus was to finish. A flyover the stadium in honor and remembrance of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks added even more power and pride to the scene.

Four solid scoring drives highlighted by Isaac Guerendo’s 82-yard touchdown dash sent relief through Wisconsin fans as offensive muscle began to re-emerge on the Camp Randall turf. Quarterback consistency also returned to the field as highly celebrated QB Graham Mertz found his footing.

The lingering COVID-19 pandemic may have kept a few fans away, but a nearly packed house rocked the stands with the traditional post third quarter jump around. The exit from Camp Randall was thoroughly more enjoyable this week as Wisconsin soundly handled Eastern Michigan 34-7. Strolling away from the stadium, the sounds of “On Wisconsin” echoed in the late summer air offering a fitting encore for a solid finish and providing flickers of hope for the season ahead.