UW defense takes over with takeaways
East Lansing, Mich. — After missing a tackle on Michigan State running back L.J. Scott, Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon was intent on making up for his mistake.
He got an immediate opportunity as Scott took the next handoff. The junior safety didn't hesitate, shooting the gap and making a strong stick on the sophomore running back, putting his helmet right on the ball.
At the time, Dixon didn't realize he had been the catalyst for the pivotal play of No. 10 Wisconsin's 30-6 victory over No. 8 Michigan State on Saturday at Spartan Stadium. But the collective exclamation of the crowd told him something major had just occurred.
"I turned around and I see the ball and I was like, 'Oh shoot,' " Dixon said. "Then my eyes were kind of big and I see (senior safety) Leo (Musso) come scoop it up and he's just running down the sideline with his little legs just running and running."
Musso, who starred as a running back at Waunakee High School, channeled his past once the ball got into his hands. While sprinting along the UW sideline, he used a perfectly timed spin to avoid a tackle by Michigan State quarterback Tyler O'Connor — who Musso knew had laid a big hit on a turnover last week against Notre Dame — then picked up blockers on the way to a 66-yard touchdown return.
Badgers pull rank, stun No. 8 MSU
NOTES: Alvarezrevels in UW's victory
BOX SCORE: Wisconsin 30, Michigan State 6
LIVE BLOG: Replay Matt Velazquez's in-game discussion
TWITTER: Badgers players react to win over MSU
The score gave the Badgers a 20-6 lead with 13 minutes 27 seconds remaining in the third quarter while turning a possible game-tying drive by the Spartans into a lead few teams would be able to overcome against Wisconsin's defense.
“That was one of the best offensive plays we had in the game," redshirt freshman quarterback Alex Hornibrook said. "I was pumped up about that. I think we got a three-and-out or something like that and for (Musso) to get that big touchdown, that was huge for us.”
Musso's fumble return was one of four takeaways by the defense in its most impressive showing of the season. That's saying something considering the Badgers entered Spartan Stadium having allowed three touchdowns on defense in their three previous games and as a team had limited opponents to an average of 13.7 points per contest.
That scoring average dropped to 11.8 by the final whistle Saturday. The only touchdown scored with Wisconsin's defense on the field came courtesy of the forced fumble by Dixon, who hit hard all afternoon on the way to a team-high seven tackles, and Musso's scoop and score.
"I've been lucky to have been around some really good defenses and today it was big," head coach Paul Chryst said. "It was a good plan by our defensive coaches because our kids understood it and they were able to execute it. They were opportunistic. When opportunities presented themselves with the turnovers they were able to capitalize on it."
The first such opportunity came in the second quarter with Wisconsin leading, 7-3. On third and 5 from his own 30-yard line, O'Connor took a snap and was quickly greeted by UW sophomore linebacker T.J. Edwards. Under pressure, O'Connor quickly threw to the sideline, where senior cornerback Sojourn Shelton stepped in front of receiver Jamal Lyles to make the interception.
Less than three minutes later, UW took a 13-3 lead.
"People can call it what they want — we expected to win the game, I'll be honest with you," Shelton said. "That's the mentality, the swagger that we had coming in. ...
"We're just doing what we're coached to do and as long as we continue to do that we'll be fine."
The next two takeaways, both interceptions, came after Musso's touchdown return. Late in the third quarter, Edwards made a leaping pick to end a Spartans drive that had reached the red zone for the first time on the day. Then, with 3:55 left in the fourth, junior cornerback Derrick Tindal snagged a deep pass by O'Connor at the UW 18. Tindal's interception marked Michigan State's third turnover on Wisconsin's side of the field and made Tindal the fourth member of the secondary to play a role in a takeaway.
"I said this coming into the season — obviously there's a lot of questions about us (the secondary)," Musso said. "We're a group of guys that love playing with one another and we're a tenacious, young group. A lot of guys who are eager to show what they got. So it's kind of fun that everybody got involved today."
While the secondary drew the spotlight, Wisconsin's front seven had O'Connor scrambling all afternoon. He was sacked four times, including 2 1/2 by junior outside linebacker T.J. Watt, and hurried seven times.
"Just a great team effort as a unit, as individuals," Dixon said. "It's everyone doing their 1/11th. Coach Chryst talks about it, 'Everyone just do your 1/11th. We don't need any superstars, just do your 1/11th.' That's what Wisconsin football is all about, really."