Wisconsin vs Illinois score, live game updates at Camp Randall Stadium

The Wisconsin Badgers football team (2-2) returns home to Camp Randall Stadium after getting blown out at Ohio State for a Big Ten West game against Bret Bielema and Illinois (3-1).

JR Radcliffe, blog host, will be bringing you live updates from the press box. Make sure to refresh your browser to see the latest.

SCOUTING REPORT -Illini are once again strong on defense and much better on offense

MORE BADGERS:Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh will remain patient with Paul Chryst during these difficult times

Some disappointing stats, such as Braelon Allen's 2 yards

Braelon Allen rushed for 7 yards. This is a drastic departure from Allen's career success and a sign of the team's struggles with the offensive line (which admittedly had some injuries this season). 

This game saw more injuries to the team, including Hayden Rucci, tight end, Isaac Guerendo, running back/returnman Isaac Guerendo, and Keontez Lewis, who were both forced to leave the game due to ac art. Guerendo lost a kickoff away to set up an Illinois field kick and was hurt on the next kickoff attempt. 

Graham Mertz was 7 of 8 in passing, but he finished 17 of 31 for 266 yards. However, most of those incompletions were with UW in desperate mode. 

Wisconsin committed 10 penalties for 77 yards, including two crucial calls on fourth down that renewed Illinois drives in the red zone.

FINAL: Illinois 34, Wisconsin 10

The Badgers scored their first drive and remained neutral the rest. Illinois took a halftime lead thanks to two interceptions. It was Illinois's turn.

Wisconsin has finished with 2 yards of rushing after all the lost yardage. This number is... going to be one that's been discussed quite a lot this week.

Overall yardage, Illinois won 304 to 208. 

Wisconsin's downs turn it around one more time

Markus Allen failed to make a pass to the goal line, so Wisconsin gave the ball back to Illinois at the U of I 22 yard line. The final loss for Wisconsin to Illinois will be the 34-10 score. This is the worst since 1988's 34-6 loss. 

Is this worse than Washington State's loss?

The Washington State loss could be viewed as a fluke. Remember that even the Rose Bowl team of the late 1990s lost to a poor Cincinnati team in 1999. The Ohio State loss could be explained as a setback against a team that has been the best in the Big Ten for many years. 

It was a disappointing loss at home to an Illinois team that has only beaten them twice in the past 20 years. It's starting to look like a trend for where the 2022 team will be heading, when you add in the other losses. 

UW still has 1:38 left and has the ball. However, this drive was only possible due to Illinois penalties. Illini, it's still 34-10. 

Graham Mertz is fired after taking another hit

Alec Bryant drops Mertz today against the Badgers quarterback. He's been shaken up on some plays today and, to tell the truth, I'm surprised he's still here.

Wisconsin is able to benefit from an Illinois unsportsmanlike behavior penalty. UW moves to its 45 with 4:08 left and looks for a score that will make the score a little more appealing. 

Unfinished fourth-down pass

With 8:32 remaining, Illinois takes the ball back from Graham Mertz, who is facing fourth and long. 

Mertz started the game 7 of 8 but is now 10 of 21 for 147 yards and two picks. 

Wisconsin gets the ball back on its own 20

Jordan Turner leads the Badgers today with eight total tackles, including two on the last series to put the ball back in Wisconsin’s hands.

Chimere Dike makes a nice catch between the two defenders to move UW's chains and place the ball at the UW's 40 yard line. Although Wisconsin is not officially dead, Camp Randall has lost its energy.

This is the worst loss to Illinois since 1988

The Badgers are again 3-and-out, so they bring in the punt team.

Since 2002, Wisconsin has not lost at Illinois's home since that game. This also marks the last time UW lost by double digits to Illinois (37-20). In the 17 meetings since then, UW has lost only twice. 

They lost by 20+ points to Illinois in 1989 (32-9). This is the worst loss to Illinois since 1988 (34-6 at Camp Randall Stadium). 

Caleb Griffin scores again to give Illinois a 24-point lead

Caleb Griffin scores from 31 yards to score his second field goal of day. The Badgers' deficit reaches 24 points with 14 minutes remaining.

At this point, the student section is only half-full. Fans are already heading for the exits. 

ILLINOIS 34. WISCONSIN 10. 14:18/4th

Badgers enter fourth place with 24 yards of rushing

Wisconsin had a yardage lead at halftime of 140-116. Illinois now has a yardage lead of 279-150 going into 15 minutes. The Badgers had 10 yards of offense during that quarter, while the 163-yard deficit was wiped out. 

Illinois will leave Camp Randall with a very satisfying win for coach Bret Bielema. 

End of the third quarter: It's all Illinois

When play resumes in quarter four, the Illini will face the Badgers from their 19-yard line. This will be one of the most depressing "Jump Around” sessions in recent memory.

END THIRD QUARTER: ILLINOIS 31, WISCONSIN 10

Wisconsin fails in fourth down

Graham Mertz had an open Skyler bell on a fourth down pass near midfield. However, he couldn’t get a foot down in bounds, and Wisconsin turns it over.

Curiously, this was Wisconsin's first pass play in the series after three running plays. It's now 4:36 in the game, and Wisconsin is losing.

Illinois scores again with a 49-yard touchdown

Chase Brown sprinted through the line and was unaffected on his way to the goal zone. Illinois now leads 31-10. It's a... blowout.

This outcome will cause panic in many people about the future of the Badgers football team. 

The Badgers have only 16 yards of rushing. Chase Brown now has 100 yards rushing by himself 

I don't really know how Pat Bryant caught Devito's 15-yard pass for a first down, with Justin Clark draped all around him just before the score.

Maema Njongmeta is back in the game, by the way. He had been injured and had left earlier.

ILLINOIS 31 WISCONSIN 10

Badgers take three and go and face yet another injury

Wisconsin went nowhere (short run, two incomplete passes), and now Keontez Lewis is down. He was cut at the knees by an Illinois tackler. It looks like they're going to put him in an air cast. 

This game could be worse, but I don't see how. Hayden Rucci, Isaac Guerendo, and Keontez Lewis were the first. This one may be the most severe. 

He'll be leaving the stadium in a cart. It was a brutal day for UW. 

Guerendo is now hurt after the next kickoff

The Badgers would love to hear some plays that don't end in bad news.

Isaac Guerendo was able field the next kickoff without any problems but he was injured at the 20-yard mark. He has since been in good spirits and has been able to keep his distance from the trainers. Guerendo has had to deal with injuries throughout his time at UW. He had a good first half, but things quickly collapsed after halftime.

He is up, but he needs some help to get to the sidelines. He won't be coming back, so don't expect him to.

In a must-hold situation, defense rises to the occasion, but Illinois scores field goal

Keeanu Benton gets his second sack today. Illinois is forced to kick a field goal facing the 4th and 20th from the 46. 

Caleb Griffin's 44-yard field goal attempt is successful, so the Badgers lose 3 points for the fumbled kickoff. Two touchdowns down, but there is still plenty of time.

ILLINOIS 24 WISCONSIN 14 9:03/3rd

Guerendo misplaces the kickoff, causing UW to be in chaos

Isaac Guerendo missed the line-drive kickoff, and Illinois recovered on the UW 16 yard line. Abject disaster in a match that was already heading towards disaster. Illinois has taken complete control. 

Devito scores third in Touchdown Illinois

Madison is seeing a lot of despair.

After Illinois converted on fourth down U of I quickly moved to Badgers goal line. U of I also scored on another Devito goalkeeper. He has all three touchdowns today and Illinois leads by two points.

This is a 10-play, 75 yard scoring drive that takes 4:36.

ILLINOIS 21 WISCONSIN 10, 10/24/3rd

Illinois converts on the 4th and 4th of April

UW's defense was close to being stopped after Illinois crossed the Badgers 30. Devito found Isaiah Williams on 4th and 4.

Illinois now has a 1st-and-10 at the Badgers’ 23 yard line. They are looking to increase their score by two. Injury timeout for Luke Ford, tight end. He impels after getting some attention.

Maema Njongmeta limps after taking her first snap

Badgers linebacker Maema Nyongmeta, walks off on his own after the first snap in the second half. However, he was twisted up. Badgers defense opens the second half with a 4 point deficit.

Illinois strikes for a first down between DeVito & Pat Bryant, giving Illini the ball on their own 43.

Badgers have good news and bad news.

Great news: The kick game has been fantastic. Nate Van Zelst made a field goal of 39 yards in hurried conditions, despite injuries to Jack Van Dyke and Vito Calavaruso. Andy Vujnovich punter, who struggled greatly at Ohio State, just had an impressive 55-yard booming kick and has looked fantastic (two punts of 111 yards). Isaac Guerendo also had two big kickoff returns that led to a Badgers touchdown.

Bad news: The offense, yikes. The running game has just 14 — 14!! — yards in the first half. Graham Mertz made some great throws but he's still responsible for two interceptions that resulted in touchdowns for Illinois. His second pick was terrible.

Worse news: Losing Hayden Rucci to injury (though he's officially questionable) leaves the Badgers really short at the tight end position. Clay Cundiff, who was injured in the Ohio State game last week, is now out for this year.

Sign of hope? It's doubtful that Illinois would have scored touchdowns without the turnovers and the two fourth-down penalties against UW in red zone. Despite Illinois holding the ball for longer, UW won the overall yardage battle in halftime 140-116.

Halftime: Illinois 14, Wisconsin 10

People who hoped to see Wisconsin move quickly after last week's blowout at Ohio Staet aren't happy about the Illinois and Bret Bielema halftime deficits.

Plenty of boos trickling down on the Badgers as they leave the field at halftime. 

UW gets another 3-and-out after Isaac Guerendo's return

A Jack Eschenbach holding call erased a huge running play by Isaac Guerendo. Wisocnsin barely managed to get back to the original line. With 59 seconds remaining, UW will need to punt and Illinois will call timeout. 

Illinois punted at the 4, but only got back to the 7. It's a long shot. 

Wisconsin will not relinquish its lead and will continue to defend itself

With 2:24 remaining, a smooth Jay Shaw tackle highlighted a defensive stand. Wisconsin takes the ball back.

The punt bounced off Dean Engram out-of-bounds. However, Illinois will be flagged as interference and Wisconsin gets a nice chunk at 15 yards. The Badgers will have it 1st, and 10 on their 42.

Next series: Badgers fail to make it big

Wisconsin tried its hand at some tricks, but Braelon Alle's pass on 3rd & 2 was not right. Wisconsin must now punt it back towards Illinois with 5:51 left before half. 

UW currently has 6 rushing yards. 

Touchdown Illinois and Badgers Trail for the first time today

Illinois wins 14-10 with Tommy DeVito's extra chances. Both touchdowns were scored on drives that followed Graham Mertz interceptions.

ILLINOIS 14 WISCONSIN 10 7:31/2nd

Another flag. Red-zone penalties are a disaster

This is a mess.

The refs changed their minds about the play and decided it was a touchdown. Wisconsin was then penalized for illegal formation. On the next snap, Wisconsin committed yet another pass interference penalty (Justin Clark) to set up 1st and goal from the 3. 

Wisconsin's fourth down penalty burns UW yet again, but Illinois makes its own mistakes

The Badgers are asked for a penalty today for the second time. Illinois is facing a fourth down in the red zone. Isaiah Mullins jumped a little too quickly.

The Illinois team then scored a touchdown on their next play. However, the illegal man downfield penalty negates that score. That brought up 1st and goal from the 7 with 8:11 to go in the half. 

The play appeared to have another touchdown, but a halfback pass on that play was ruled incomplete. Illinois was then charged with illegal formation. Make it 2nd and goal on 7 with the penalty declining.

Jay Shaw has had a rough morning so far

Shaw is flagged as a second pass interference suspect. This gives Illinois a 1st-place finish and 10 on the 10. Devito's swing pass appeared to be going for a touchdown on the next snap. But Tip Reiman just dropped him.

Shaw was also beaten early in the game for a 35-yard pass play. Illinois knocking on the door, but now it's 3rd and 5 on the 9. 

Illinois selects Mertz for the second consecutive time

Graham Mertz managed to escape pressure and then threw a pass right at Illinois' Tahveon Nickelson. The diving catch will give Illinois a first down at UW 47. It was a very strange pass from Mertz, which gave Illinois a promising field position. There are still 10:19 minutes left in the first period. 

Keontez Lewis at a highlight reel toe tap reception

Graham Mertz has passed over 100 yards (120) after Kenotez Lewis made a great catch on the sideline. He tapped his right foot in bounds and then fell out. Wisconsin is still in its territory, but Illinois calls timeout at 11:16 before half. 

Benton's support ensures that UW defense is strong on the 3rd and 5th of November.

The attempt by Illinois to reach 3rd and 5 from its 46-yard line was turned into a shoestring bag by Keeanu Benton. Benton wrapped Devito's ankles while Benton was falling to ground. It means Illinois will need to punt.

Hayden Rucci's return to the United States is questionable. 

Badgers lead the way with a (hurried) field goal

Nate Van Zelst is good for 39 yards, but not without some dram — Jack Nelson ran onto the field late and the Badgers had 4 seconds to snap the ball. They got it off and punched the ball through to take a 10-7 lead.

It was a 10-play drive and covered 45 yards. 

WISCONSIN 10 ILLINOIS 7 14:53/2nd

Badgers face 3rd and 6th quarters to open

UW tied at 7 when the second quarter begins. Illinois 21 will have a 3rd, and 6th. 

The Badgers have moved their ball, but not via traditional methods, with only 1 yard on the ground (Illini with 8 yards). UW has a 99 to 53 edge in total yardage, and would be in better condition if it weren't for the interception that allowed Illinois touchdown.

END FIRST: Wisconsin 7, Illinois 7.

Badgers have another tight finish

Clay Cundiff, Wisconsin's tight end, was injured in the Ohio State game. Cam Large is also unavailable for this game. Wisconsin will be down to Jack Eschebach or... Jaylan Franklin. The ranks are very thin. 

Rucci needs help on the field and puts very little weight on his leg/ankle.

Badgers have more promise in the passing game

After Isaac Guerendo's strong return, the Badgers quickly moved to midfield. A 9-yard pass was made to Chimere Dike and a 10-yard connection with Jack Eschenbach were both used to move the chains.

After Isaac Darkangelo had sacked Graham Mertz, Mertz returned to Dike for a 25 yard completion to give the Badgers control of the Illinois 25. 

Mertz is 7-8 for 95 yards passing. His lone incompletion came from a tip interception. Badgers are in timeout with 46 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

After a crucial penalty against Badgers, Illinois scores a touchdown

Illinois quarterback Tommy Devito's 1-yard rush allowed Illinois to tie it at 7-7

Devito found Isaiah Williams on 3rd and 13 for just enough yardage to score a first down. The UW kept Illinois out the end zone for the next three plays and set up a fourth and goal at the 1-yard line. 

The fourth-down pass into Illinois' end zone was not complete, but Shaw was flagged as pass interference to give Illinois a fresh set of downs. Devito's punt was met with some boos from the fans.

But we are tied. It's a 16-yard, seven-play drive that was set up by the turnover. Although UW's defense made some good plays, it's still tied.

WISCONSIN 7, ILLINOIS 7 4:30/1st

Illini have an automatic red-zone chance for Illinois interception

After a third-down pass intended to Keontez Lewis was tipped, Kendall Smith intercepted it and Illinois will now start on the 1st and 10th. He returned it within the 20, making the punt from the 38 look good. 

The Illini are now facing third and thirteenth place after a quick Nick Herbig loss tackle.

Big pass play by Illinois puts Illini into a good position, but Badgers hold

Brian Hightower took a step on Jay Shaw and caught a 35-yard pass by Tommy Devito. However, the Badgers defense stiffened to allow for a 4th down and 7 from the 38.

Illinois decides to... punt? From there. It's down at 3 yards, but UW has it back.

The touchdown is in place. Wisconsin 7, Illinois 0

After Nate Van Zelst adds a point, the Badgers are now leading 7-0 with just 11:15 remaining in the first quarter.

TOUCHDOWN BADGERS (under Review)

It was a beautiful pass to Isaac Guerendo, with a diving catch for the 21 yard connection. The Badgers were facing third and eighth on the 21. Mertz took it all and won it. Guerendo made two major flash plays to get this game started, including the kickoff.

Play is still under review.

Braelon Allen converted 3rd and 2 passes with a short run to 23 yards to move the chains.

Isaac Guerendo positions the Badgers in a great field position

Isaac Guerendo took a short kickoff from the 10-yard line. He found a hole for a 38-yard run. This set up Wisconsin as the first team and gave it 10 of its own 47. Skyler Bell's pass to UW put UW at the Illinois 34 yard line just one play later. 

Badgers win the coin toss, and will be awarded

Wisconsin wins the coin toss and will receive the football — no deferring this time around. 

Bret Bielema gets some boos, evidently

Former Badgers coach Bret Bielema is back at Camp Randall Stadium to coach Illinois. He received some boos during introductions but they weren't too loud. Stadium still has a ways to go before it reaches capacity. You know what? There was a fair amount of orange on the stands! 

There are not many surprises in the inactives for Badgers. However, there are a few kickers in short supply

Wisconsin will be without cornerback Alexander Smith (who isn't yet playing this year) or right tackle Riley Mahlman in the Illinois match. We'll likely see a combination of Trey Wedig, Logan Brown at that spot.

Kickers Jack Van Dyke and Vito Calvaruso are both out, so expect Nate Van Zelst to be on field goals and Gavin Lahm to kickoffs. 

Other players who are unavailable include cornerback Al Ashford and tight end Cam Large, safety Hunter Wohler, and backup quarterback Chase Wolf.

Clay Cundiff, who sustained a serious injury last week, is out for the year. This is Clay Cundiff's second consecutive year that a major injury has cut short his season.

Jeff Potrykus, a colleague, noticed that Wohler is now in a walking boot, but he doesn't have crutches anymore. Smith isn't wearing his injured leg's same black sleeve, so there is progress.