Cotton Bowl: Wisconsin Badgers beat Western Michigan Broncos, 24-16
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Wisconsin Badgers squared up against the undefeated Western Michigan Broncos in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Monday, January 2nd. It’s the fifth time Western Michigan and Wisconsin have played, the first since 2000.
Wisconsin was first to score when Corey Clement punched a two-yard run into the end zone after an 11-play Wisconsin drive. The Badgers were up early, 7-0.
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: Corey Clement #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017
After a three-and-out on Western Michigan's first possession of the game, Wisconsin drove down the field -- and capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown by Dare Ogunbowale. After the extra point, Wisconsin was up 14-0.
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: Dare Ogunbowale #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first quarter during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in
That's where the score wrapped up at the end of the first quarter.
Deep into the second quarter, Western Michigan finally got on board with a run by quarterback Zach Terrell to cap off a 16-play drive. The Broncos closed the gap -- Badgers up 14-7 at that point.
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: Zach Terrell #11 of the Western Michigan Broncos celebrates after scoring in the second period during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in A
Wisconsin capped off the scoring in the first half with a 30-yard field goal by Andrew Endicott.
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 2: Andrew Endicott #37 of the Wisconsin Badgers kicks a field goal as Sam Beal #18 of the Western Michigan Broncos looks on during the first half of the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on January 2, 2017 in Arlin
With half the game in the books, the Badgers were up 17-7.
Western Michigan was first to score in the second half. They cut into Wisconsin's lead with a field goal -- it was 17-10 at that point.
And with the first score in the fourth quarter -- Wisconsin! A touchdown toss to Troy Fumagalli -- which put the Badgers up 24-10.
ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 02: Troy Fumagalli #81 of the Wisconsin Badgers scores a touchdown against Darius Phillips #4 of the Western Michigan Broncos in the fourth quarter during the 81st Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Western Michigan and Wisc
The Broncos were next to get on the board. They capped a 16-play, 75-yard drive with a touchdown pass. But Western Michigan missed the extra point -- which left the score at 24-16, Wisconsin.
That's how the game ended -- and Wisconsin wins the Cotton Bowl.
