MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Southern California transfer Bryan Jackson scored a first-half touchdown against his former team to help Wisconsin surprise the No. 16 Trojans 24-7 on Saturday night.
Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) had its second victory of the season over a ranked opponent. The Badgers won 24-20 at then-No. 13 Penn State on Sept. 26.
Jackson spent the last two seasons at USC. He rushed 5 yards for a score to put Wisconsin in front 10-7 with less than two minutes left in the first half. The touchdown was the first for Jackson with the Badgers.
Chris Brooks Jr. caught a 16-yard TD pass from Colton Joseph on fourth-and-2 play to push Wisconsin’s lead to 17-7 in the third.
Joseph was 12 of 14 for 58 yards passing. He also had 12 rushes for 32 yards. Abu Sama III was the Badgers’ leading rusher with 16 carries for 71 yards.
Wisconsin’s Junior Poyser blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt late in the third quarter.
Jayden Maiava threw two interceptions in the first half for the Trojans (5-2, 2-2). He came into the game with three interceptions on 224 throws this season. Maiava completed 21 of 37 passes for 190 yards and a TD.
The takeaway
Southern California: The Trojans failed miserably in the run game. The team finished with 25 carries for minus-17 yards rushing.
Wisconsin: Wisconsin’s defense responded vigorously in the first half, holding the Trojans to 92 yards and forcing two turnovers.
Up next
Wisconsin: At No. 15 Iowa next Saturday.
