Live-Blogging: Illinois Fighting Illini at Wisconsin Badgers 10/23/2020

Illinois Fighting Illini Depth Chart

Wisconsin Badgers Depth Chart

Hello, and welcome to another edition of ‘Live-Blogging Shish on College Football’. Tonight, it is the opening game for the Big Ten Season, as Illinois Fighting Illini takes on Wisconsin Badgers. Both teams finished 2019, with losses in bowl games to PAC-12.
 
The Illini would like to improve on their 6-7, They would like to duplicate what they did to Badgers last year. However, last year they played the Badgers in Champaign. But this game will be Madison.
 
For the Badgers, they would like to do better in focusing on Illini. Last year’s game was before their showdown against Ohio State.
 
It is Illinois Fighting Illini taking on Wisconsin Badgers, coming up shortly.

Illini is in their all white uniforms. While Badgers are in their red uniforms.

1st Quarter:
Illinois Fighting Ilini Possession (From Right to Left):
14:54: Larsh kicks the ball to Brown, who moves the ball to ILL 18. 1st & 10.
14:47: Peters throws a completed pass to Imatorbhebhe, who is down at ILL 29. . 1st & 10.
14:35: FUMBLE RECOVERY: Illini fumbled the ball. Recovered by Badgers. Ball on ILL 29. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession (From Left to Right):
14:32: Watson runs for a loss at ILL 30. 2nd & 11. 
13:57: Mertz throws a completed pass to ILL 31, for a loss. 3rd & 12.
13:18: Mertz throws a completed pass to Groshek, who moves the ball to ILL 18. 1st & 10.
13:00: Watson runs the ball to ILL 14. 2nd & 5.
12:24: Watson runs the ball to ILL 10. 3rd & 1.
11:38: TOUCHDOWN: Mertz throws a 10-yard TD pass to Stokke. Larsh kicks PAT. ILL 0, WISC 7

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession:
​11:37: Van Dyke kicks the ball to Illini Endzone, for a touchback. Ball on ILL 25. 1st & 10.
11:31: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 2nd & 10.
11:27: Epstein runs the ball to ILL 28. 3rd & 7.
10:51: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 4th & 7.
10:44: Hayes punts the ball to Davis, who is down at WISC 27. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
​10:39: Mertz gets sacked at WISC 20. 2nd & 17.
9:53: Watson runs the ball for no gain. 3rd & 17.
9:11: Dunn runs the ball to WISC 33. 4th & 4.
8:36: Vujnovich punts the ball to ILL 7, where the ball is downed. 1st & 10.

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession:
​8:18: Norwood runs the ball for ILL 8. 2nd & 9.
7:50: Peters throws a completed pass to Imaterbhebhe, who is down at ILL 14. 3rd & 3.
7:09: Peters throws a completed pass to Marker, who goes ob at ILL 20. 1st & 10.
6:50: Norwood runs the ball for no gain. 2nd & 10.
6:22: Peters runs to Midfield. 1st & 10.
6:07: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 2nd & 10.
6:07: ILLINI TIMEOUT #1: ILL 0, WISC 7
6:02: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 3rd & 10.
5:54: Peters throws a completed pass to Brown, who loses yardage at ILL 48. 4th & 12.
5:11: Hayes punts the ball to Dunn, who calls for a fair catch at WISC 12. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
5:07: Watson runs the ball for no gain. 2nd & 10.
4:25: Mertz throws a completed pass to Ferguson, who is down at WISC 18. 3rd & 4.
3:42: Mertz throws a completed pass to Davis, who is down at WISC 38. 1st & 10.
3:14: Groshek runs the ball to WISC 46. 2nd & 2.
2:48: Mertz throws a completed pass to Ferguson, who is down at WISC 46. 3rd & 2.
2:09: PENALTY: False Start called against Badgers. Ball on WISC 41. 3rd & 7.
1:39: Mertz throws a completed pass to Groshek, who is down at WISC 47. 4th & 1.
:55: Watson runs for the 1st Down at WISC 48. 1st & 10.
:28: Guerendo runs the ball to Midfield. 2nd & 7.
:00: The End of 1st Quarter.

End of 1st Quarter:
ILL 0, WISC 7

2nd Quarter:
Wisconsin Badgers Possession (From Right to Left):
​14:52: PENALTY: Facemask called against Illini. Ball on ILL 33. 1st & 10.
14:25: Mertz runs the ball to ILL 21, where he goes ob. 1st & 10.
13:45: Watson runs the ball to ILL 13. 2nd & 2.
13:06: Guerendo runs the ball for ILL 10. 1st & Goal.
12:33: Guerendo runs the ball to ILL 5. 2nd & Goal.
11:54: TOUCHDOWN: G. Mertz throws a 5-yard TD pass to Jake Ferguson. Larsh kicks PAT. ILL 0, WISC 14

Illinois Fighting Illini (From Left to Right):
​11:54: Van Dyke kicks the ball to Brown, who calls for a fair catch. Ball on ILL 25. 1st & 10.
11:45: Peters runs the ball to WISC 44. 1st & 10.
11:16: PENALTY: Holding called against Illini. Ball on ILL 46. 1st & 20.
11:15: ILLINI TIMEOUT #2: ILL 0, WISC 14
11:02: Williams runs the ball to WISC 49. 3rd & 15.
10:35: Peters throws a completed pass to Imatorbhebhe, who is down at WISC 3rd & 6.
10:01: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 4th & 6.
9:55: Hayes punts the ball to Dunn at WISC 11. PENALTY: Holding called against Badgers. Ball on WISC 5. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
​9:48: Davis runs the ball to WISC 10. 2nd & 6.
9:08: Watson runs the ball to WISC 18. 1st & 10.
8:28: Watson runs the ball for a loss at WISC 15. 2nd & 13.
7:48: Mertz throws a completed pass to Dunn, who moves the ball to WISC 20. 3rd & 8.
7:07: Mertz runs for no gain. 4th & 8.
6:26: Vujnovich punts the ball to ILL 44, where the ball goes ob. 1st & 10.

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession:
​6:19: Epstein runs the ball to WISC 36, where the ball goes ob. 1st & 10.
5:57: Epstein runs the ball to WISC 35. 2nd & 9.
5:27: Brown runs the ball to WISC 30.  3rd & 4.
4:52: Brown rusn the ball to WISC 27. 4th & 1.
4:11: Peters throws an incomplete pass. Turnover on Downs. Badgers Ball. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
4:06: Guerendo runs the ball to WISC 29. 2nd & 8.
3:32: SCOOP & SCORE: Mertz throws a completed pass to Ferguson, who lost the ball. Recovered by Brown for a scoop & score. McCourt kicks PAT. ILL 7, WISC 14

Wisconsin Badgers Possession
3:22: McCourt kicks the ball to Bracey, who moves the ball to WISC 28. 1st & 10.
3:11: Groshek runs the ball. PENALTY: Personal Foul called against Illini. Ball on WISC 47. 1st & 10.
3:05: Dunn runs the ball to Midfield. 2nd & 7.
2:18: Mertz throws a completed pass to Ferguson, who is down at ILL 16. 1st & 10.
1:47: Groshek runs the ball to ILL 14. 2nd & 8.
1:06: TOUCHDOWN: Mertz throws a 14-yard TD pass to Ferguson. Larsh kicks PAT. ILL 7, WISC 21

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession:
1:03: Van Dyke kicks the ball to C. Brown, who moves the ball to ILL 14. 1st & 10.
:57: Peters is sacked at ILL 8. 2nd & 15
:55: BADGERS TIMEOUT #1: ILL 7, WISC 21
:51: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 3rd & 15
:44: Peters gets sacked at ILL 5. 4th & 15. 
:44: BADGERS TIMEOUT #2: ILL 7, WISC 21
:36: Hayes punts the ball to WISC 48, where the ball goes ob. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
:28: TOUCHDOWN: Graham Mertz scores on a 52-yard TD pass to Danny Davis. Larsh kicks PAT. ILL 7, WISC 28

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession:
:23: Van Dyke kicks the ball to C. Brown, who moves the ball to ILL 21. 1st & 10.
:20: Peters takes a knee to end the 1st Half.
:00: The End of 1st Half. Badgers will receive to start the 2nd Half.

Halftime:
ILL 7, WISC 28

Halftime Leaders:
Passing Mertz (WISC) 14/14, 190 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing: Peters (ILL) 4 carries, 52 yards
Receiving: Ferguson (WISC) 6 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TDs

Hafltime Thoughts:
Red Shirt Freshman Quarterback Graham Mertz, had a perfect half. Meanwhile, the Illini's only offense was a scoop and score. 

3rd Quarter:
Wisconsin Badgers Possession (From Left to Right):
15:00: ​McCourt kicks the ball to Bracey, who moves the ball to WISC 40. 1st & 10.
15:00: OFFICIAL REVIEW: Officials reviewing the spot on the field. Bracey caught the ball and knee was down at WISC 5. 1st & 10.
14:54: Watson runs the ball to WISC 11. 2nd & 4.
14:18: Watson runs the ball to WISC 15. 1st & 10.
13:39: BADGERS TIMEOUT #1: ILL 7, WISC 28
13:39: Guerendo runs the ball to WISC 14. 2nd & 11.
13:11: PENALTY: Illegal Substitution called against Badgers. Ball on WISC 9. 2nd & 16.
12:42: Mertz throws a completed pass to Pryor, who is down at WISC 20. 3rd & 5.
12:08: Mertz throws a completed pass to Dunn, who moves the ball to WISC 23. 4th & 2.
11:27: Vujnovich punts the ball to Frenchie, who moves the ball to ILL 46. 1st & 10.

Illinois Fighting Illini (From Right to Left):
11:23: Epstein runs for no gain. 2nd & 10.
10:54: Peters runs the ball to WISC 38. 1st & 10.
10:40: Peters runs the ball to WISC 30. 2nd & 2.
10:16: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 3rd & 2.
10:16: INJURY TIMEOUT: Washington is down for Illini. ILL 7, WISC 28
10:11: Epstein runs the ball to WISC 29. 4th & 1.
9:52: Peters runs the ball short of the first down. Turnover on Downs. Ball on WISC 29. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
9:43: Mertz runs the ball ob at WISC 34. 2nd & 5.
9:11: Watson runs the ball to WISC 40. 1st & 10.
8:36: Pryor runs the ball to WISC 42. 2nd  & 8.
7:59: Mertz throws a completed pass to Pryor, who is down at ILL 49. 1st & 10.
7:25: Mertz gets sacked at WISC 42. 2nd & 19.
6:40: Gorsheck runs the ball to WISC 42. 3rd & 19.
6:02: Mertz throws an incomplete pass. That is Mertz's 1st incompletion of the night. 
5:55: Vujnovich punts the ball to Frenchie, who calls for a fair catch at ILL 8. 1st & 10.

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession:
​5:41: Peters throws a completed pass to Hightower, who goes ob at ILL 34. 1st & 10.
5:35: Epstein runs the ball to ILL 41. 2nd & 3.
4:52: Epstein runs the ball to ILL 40. 3rd & 4.
4:34: Peters throws a completed pass to Epstein, who goes ob at WISC 39. 1st & 10.
4:11: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 2nd & 10.
4:07: Peters throws an incomplete pass. 3rd & 10.
4:02: Peters throws a completed pass to Barker, who is down at WISC 29. 4th & 1.
3:38: PENALTY: False Start called against Illini. Ball on WISC 34. 4th & 6.
3:07: Peters throws an incomplete pass. Turnover on Downs. Badgers Ball. Ball on WISC 34. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
3:00: Watson runs the ball to WISC 38. 2nd & 6.
2:22: Guerendo runs the ball to WISC 37. 3rd & 7.
1:40: Mertz throws a completed pass to Pryor, who goes ob at ILL 40. 1st & 10.
1:05: Watson runs the ball to ILL 34. 2nd & 4.
:25: Watson runs the ball for no gain. 3rd & 4.
:00: The End of 3rd Quarter.

End of 3rd Quarter:
ILL 7, WISC 28

4th Quarter:
Wisconsin Badgers Possession (From Right to Left):
​14:55: Mertz throws a completed pass to Gorshek, who went ob at ILL 26. 1st & 10.
14:20: Gorshek runs the ball to ILL 17. 2nd & 1.
13:37: Gorshek runs the ball to ILL 7. 1st & Goal.
13:03: Watson runs the ball to ILL 2. 2nd & Goal.
12:27: BADGERS TIMEOUT #2: ILL 7, WISC 28
12:23: TOUCHDOWN: Josh Chesnal scores on a 2-yard TD run. Larsh kicks PAT. ILL 7, WISC 35

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession (From Left to Right):
​12:18: Van Dyke kicks the ball to C. Brown, who moves the ball to ILL 21. 1st & 10.
12:12: C. Brown runs the ball to ILL 26. 2nd & 5.
11:51: Williams throws an incomplete pass. 3rd & 5.
11:45: Williams throws an incomplete pass. 4th & 5.
11:39: Hayes punts the ball to WISC 26. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
11:32: Guerendo runs the ball to WISC 31. PENALTY: Facemask called against Illini. Ball on WISC 46. 1st & 10.
11:08: Guerendo runs the ball to Midfield. 2nd & 7.
10:38: Guerendo runs the ball to ILL 37. 1st & 10.
9:47: Watson runs the ball for a loss, at ILL 40. 2nd & 13.
9:05: Gorshek runs the ball to ILL 35. 3rd & 8.
8:23: Gorshek runs the ball to ILL 22. 1st & 10.
7:44: Gorshek runs the ball to ILL 16. 2nd & 4.
7:03: Gorshek runs the ball to ILL 8. 1st & Goal.
6:23: Gorshek runs the ball for no gain. 2nd & Goal.
5:38: Gorshek runs the ball to ILL 3. 3rd & Goal.
4:53: TOUCHDOWN: Graham Mertz throws a 3-yard TD pass to Jake Ferguson. Launch kicks PAT. ILL 7, WISC 42

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession:
​4:48: Van Dyke kicks the ball to Thompson, who moves the ball to ILL 16. 1st & 10.
4:45: Epstein runs the ball for a loss at ILL 13. 2nd & 13.
4:09: INTERCEPTION: Williams throws an interception to Toler, who moves the ball to ILL 16. 1st & 10.

Wisconsin Badgers Possession:
4:03: Watson runs the ball to ILL11. 2nd & 5.
3:15: Watson runs the ball to ILL 7. 3rd & 1.
2:52: Watson runs the ball to ILL 1. 1st & Goal.
2:15: Stokke runs the ball for no gain. 2nd & Goal.
1:39: Watson runs the ball to ILL 2. 3rd & Goal.
:59: Wolf runs the ball ob at ILL 1. 4th & Goal.
:55: FIELD GOAL: Larsh kicks a 19-yard FG. ILL 7, WISC 45

Illinois Fighting Illini Possession:
:50: Van Dyke kicks the ball to Thompson, who moves the ball to ILL 24. 1st & 10.
:44: Matt Robinson runs the ball to ILL 33. 2nd & 1.
:25: Robinson gets sacked at ILL 27. 
:00: The End of Game.

Final:
ILL 7, WISC 45
ILL: (0-1)
WISC: (1-0)

Final Leaders:
Passing: Mertz (WISC) 20/21, 248 yards, 5 TDs
Rushing: Peters (ILL) 7 carries, 75 yards
Receiving: Ferguson (ILL) 7 receptions, 72 yards, 3 TDs

Final Thoughts:
Badgers dominated this game. The surprise of this game is Red Shirt Freshman Graham Mertz throwing 5 touchdown passes against Lovie Smith's Illini Defense. 

For the Illini, they were not prepared for what Mertz was capable of in this game. 

Illini will head back home to play Purdue, Next Saturday. While Wisconsin will head to Lincoln, to play Nebraska on Next Saturday. 

This is Paul Shishkoff, Jr. This has been 'Live-Blogging Shish on College Football'. Thanks for visiting this page.