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Northwestern upsets No. 17 Wisconsin

Oct 5, 2014 - 2:05 AM Evanston, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Godwin Igwebuike had three timely interceptions, leading Northwestern to a 20-14 upset of No. 17 Wisconsin on Saturday.

Trevor Siemian threw for 182 yards and a touchdown on 15-of-29 passing and Justin Jackson rushed for a career-high 162 yards on 33 carries for the Wildcats (3-2, 2-0 Big Ten), who won their second straight conference game after defeating Penn State last week.

Miles Shuler rushed for a score and Dan Vitale hauled in a touchdown pass in the win.

"Great team win," Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "I thought our young men went out and a did a spectacular job. We beat a very good football team today. "

Joel Stave went 8-of-19 for 114 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions after coming on late in the first half for starter Tanner McEvoy, who threw for just 24 yards with an interception.

Melvin Gordon racked up a career-high 259 rushing yards on 27 carries with a touchdown for Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1), which has lost four straight to Northwestern on the road.

"It's tough. You come out here and try to do your best," said Gordon. "You keep trying, you break some long runs, and get right by the goal line and come up short, and get no points."

Wisconsin scored its first touchdown of the day on the opening drive of the second half. Gordon exploded for a 61-yard dash down the left side to the Northwestern 14 and picked up a pivotal three yards on 4th-and-1 at the 5-yard line before finding the end zone on his ensuing run for a 10-7 score.

Jimmy Hall picked off Stave's pass at the Wisconsin 16. On the following play, Shuler rushed into the end zone on a reverse up the left sideline for a 17-7 lead with 6:58 left in the third quarter.

Rafael Gaglianone missed a 50-yard field goal attempt for Wisconsin late in the third.

Jackson's 14-yard run and Mike McHugh's 15-yard grab pushed the Wildcats into Wisconsin territory on the ensuing drive. Kyle Prater's 4-yard catch compounded with a defensive face mask penalty placed Northwestern down the Badgers' 8, setting up Jack Mitchell's 22-yard field goal less than a minute into the fourth for a 20-7 advantage.

The Badgers started with good field position at Northwestern's 44. Alex Erickson's 12-yard catch placed them at the 3-yard line, but Igwebuike intercepted Stave in the end zone on the next play with six minutes left.

After Northwestern punted, the Badgers needed just two plays to make it a 20-14 game. Stave connected on a 24-yard pass to Sam Arneson before finding Kenzel Doe for a 19-yard score with 4:16 to play.

Wisconsin got the ball back with 33 seconds remaining, Igwebuike picked off Stave over the middle to seal the win.

Gordon raced down the left sideline for 59 yards to the Northwestern 36. The drive was halted after McEvoy's throw to the end zone on 3rd-and-11 was intercepted by Igwebuike.

The Wildcats responded with a 13-play, 74-yard march down the field on 13 plays, culminating with a Mitchell's 22-yard field goal.

Northwestern added to its lead halfway through the second quarter. Tony Jones hauled in a 35-yard strike to place Northwestern at the Badgers' 33.

The Wildcats kept the drive alive with two fourth down conversions and Siemian found Vitale in the back of the end zone from five yards out for a 10-0 lead with under four minutes to play in the first half.

Game Notes

Wisconsin has scored a touchdown on its first drive of the second half in each of its five games this season ... The Wildcats won their first home game against a ranked opponent since defeating Iowa on Nov. 13, 2010 ... Wisconsin has not won a game at Ryan Field since Oct. 30, 1999 ... The Badgers outgained the Wildcats, 422-385.