LOS ANGELES — The University of Wisconsin football team got nearly every break it could ask for in the first half Saturday against Southern Cal.
Unfortunately for the Badgers games last four quarters.
Wisconsin blew a two-score lead and was blanked in the second half in a 38-21 loss at the LA Memorial Coliseum, spoiling the Badgers’ hopes for a belief-injecting upset against the No. 13 Trojans (3-1, 1-1 Big Ten).
Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1) capitalized on USC mistakes in the first half but couldn’t generate drives without the help of its opponent’s errors after the break. The Badgers had just two second-half drive reach USC territory in the second half, both of which ended with turnovers on downs. The first series ended with a failed fourth-and-1 run by Tawee Walker, and the second — set up by a long kick return by receiver Vinny Anthony — ended with a pass short of the sticks inside the Trojans’ red zone.
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USC quarterback Miller Moss was 30 of 45 passing for three touchdowns and an interception and added a rushing touchdown.
Here’s a game ball and three things that stood out.
Game ball
USC’s receivers
It’s the rare group award, but the Trojans receivers won seemingly every 50-50 ball and made catches despite great positioning. Ja’Kobi Lane led the way with 10 catches, 105 yards and two touchdowns.
Honorable mention: Wisconsin receiver Vinny Anthony (3 catches, 70 yards, TD, fumble recovery, 74-yard kick return)
1. Third downs were the Badgers’ kryptonite
USC simply made too many plays on third down to keep drives alive and it killed Wisconsin’s chance at an upset.
The Trojans converted on five consecutive third downs in the third quarter to reclaim the lead, with two of those conversions resulting in touchdowns. The second-half streak was over when a third-and-2 run was stopped short midway through the fourth quarter, but Moss kept an option run on the ensuing fourth down, dodged safety Hunter Wohler and scored from 7 yards out.
USC was 11 of 17 on third down facing an average distance of 5.8 yards, while the Badgers went 2 of 10, including 1 of 6 in the second half.
2. Early turnovers give Badgers edge, but they gave it back
Wisconsin’s inability to create big plays on offense was the biggest lament of the first three games, but the defense hadn’t done much to swing momentum when it was on the field. That changed in the first half against the Trojans.
The Badgers notched three turnovers — a fumble recovery by Anthony off a muffed punt, a Preston Zachman interception and a strip-sack by Austin Brown recovered by Ben Barten. Anthony’s recovery led to a touchdown on the next play, while Zachman and Brown’s plays halted USC drives that were building steam.
There was a noticeable difference in the confidence the Badgers defense played with after creating turnovers.
But two turnovers in the third quarter, one on a muffed punt and the other on downs, swung the momentum to the other side.
3. Locke displays ‘intelligent aggressiveness’ and inconsistency
Braedyn Locke played the best half of his college career to this point to start the game. He hit deep passes to Anthony and Bryson Green (35 yards) but went into the locker room completing 50% of his passes.
He had throws that were zipped into tight windows, like the completion over the middle to Will Pauling in the second quarter, and the aggressiveness to take shots down the field to create chunk plays. But there were too many throws not in the vicinity of a target or mistimed with when the receiver expected the ball. Wisconsin has to hope those issues get ironed out with more practice time with Locke as the starter.
Photos: Wisconsin opens Big Ten football play at Southern Cal
Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman intercepts a pass intended for Southern California wide receiver Zachariah Branch during the first half of their game Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke throws a pass against Southern California during their game Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California quarterback Miller Moss throws a pass against Wisconsin during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California running back Quinten Joyner is dragged down by the Wisconsin defense during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane makes a touchdown catch as Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean defends during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane makes a touchdown catch as Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean and safety Hunter Wohler defend during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker jumps in for a touchdown as Southern California cornerback Jaylin Smith defends during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker, celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Southern California during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker runs in for a touchdown as Southern California cornerback Jaylin Smith, left, and defensive end Jamil Muhammad give chase during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Southern Cal during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California quarterback Miller Moss is tackled by Wisconsin linebacker John Pius during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell congratulates safety Preston Zachman after he intercepted a pass during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal cornerback Jaylin Smith goes after a muffed punt as Wisconsin wide receiver Will Pauling runs in to recover it during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California linebacker Mason Cobb, left, celebrates with safety Bryson Shaw, center, and cornerback Prophet Brown after he intercepted a pass and ran it in for a touchdown during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California linebacker Mason Cobb runs an interceptions in for a touchdown against Wisconsin during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane makes a touchdown catch as Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas defends during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California quarterback Miller Moss dives in for a touchdown as Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler and cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean defend during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California wide receiver Duce Robinson gestures after making a catch against Wisconsin during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern California wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane celebrates Saturday after the Trojans defeated Wisconsin in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell stands on the sideline during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal coach Lincoln Riley talks with quarterback Miller Moss during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal cornerback Jacobe Covington breaks up a pass intended for Wisconsin wide receiver C.J. Williams during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal quarterback Miller Moss walks off the field Saturday after the Trojans defeated Wisconsin 38-21 in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal wide receiver Duce Robinson can’t hold on to a pass as Wisconsin cornerback Ricardo Hallman defends during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Southern Cal wide receiver Kyron Hudson during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal linebacker Mason Cobb gestures as he walks off the field Saturday after the Trojans defeated Wisconsin 38-21 in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal wide receiver Duce Robinson celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Wisconsin during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal quarterback Jayden Maiava fends off Wisconsin linebacker Christian Alliegro as he runs the ball during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal wide receiver Duce Robinson makes a catch as Wisconsin safety Austin Brown defends during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal wide receiver Duce Robinson makes touchdown catch as Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler defends during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal running back Woody Marks avoids a tackle by Wisconsin linebacker Leon Lowery Jr. during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal quarterback Miller Moss gestures as he walks off the field Saturday after the Trojans defeated Wisconsin 38-21 in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell speaks to an official during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin wide receiver Bryson Green upends after making a catch while under pressure from Southern Cal cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson during the first half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Wisconsin wide receiver Vinny Anthony II is tackled by Southern Cal linebacker Garrison Madden during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
Southern Cal quarterback Miller Moss dives in for a touchdown as Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler and cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean defend during the second half Saturday in Los Angeles.
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