Badgers fall short against No. 13 USC

Walker scores twice in conference opener

Box Score

LOS ANGELES – The Wisconsin football team fell to No. 13 USC, 38-21, in its Big Ten Conference opener on Saturday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Trojans (3-1, 1-1 Big Ten) struck first in the game, scoring on a 32-yard pass from quarterback Miller Moss to receiver Ja’Kobi Lane for the touchdown.

However, the Badgers (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) responded just six plays later when Locke hooked up with receiver Vinny Anthony on a 63-yard strike. The play was Anthony’s first collegiate touchdown, and Wisconsin’s longest completion since the 2022 season opener versus Illinois State. It was UW’s longest passing touchdown since a 72-yard score in 2021 versus Rutgers.

The teams traded scoreless possessions through the rest of the first quarter, with punter Atticus Bertrams pinning the Trojans back at the 1-yard line thanks to a career-long 74-yard punt. Safety Preston Zachman picked off Moss on the ensuing possession to hand the ball back to the Badgers. After the offense stalled at the end of the first quarter, Bertrams’ punt to start the second was muffed by USC, setting up an 18-yard rushing touchdown from running back Tawee Walker on the next play.

USC was able to regain some momentum with a solid 8-play drive, capped off by a 41-yard field goal by K Michael Lantz to make it 14-10.

The Wisconsin offense picked up right where it left off as Locke hit receiver Bryson Green for 35-yards to put the Badgers on the edge of the red zone. Walker added his second touchdown four plays later, crossing the pylon on an untouched four-yard rush. It marked Walker’s first multi-touchdown game with the Badgers, and third career performance. 

The half didn’t close lightly, as Austin Brown flew in from his safety spot to strip sack Moss and secure the Badger defense’s third turnover of the day. Wisconsin went into halftime with a 21-10 lead. 

The Trojans responded out of the break with a 9-play drive that…