Wisconsin’s offense wasn’t spectacular at Penn State on Saturday, but given the way the Badgers’ special teams played, it didn’t have to be.
Jim Leonhard returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown, and big plays on special teams set up two more scores as the Badgers beat Penn State 30-23.
“I was really pleased with our special teams,” Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez said. “We made some mistakes with special teams, but they had some big plays today–caused two turnovers, had a big kickoff return and a punt return–and I was really pleased with that.”
The Badgers (5-1, 2-0) needed those big special teams plays. Jim Sorgi completed only 9-of-26 passes, but two of his completions were for touchdowns. Booker Stanley, the third-string tailback, ran for 119 yards and one touchdown.
All of Stanley’s yards came in the second half, after both Anthony Davis and Dwayne Smith left with ankle injuries. Wisconsin didn’t immediately disclose the status of Smith or Davis.
Penn State (2-4, 0-2) led 9-7 after Sean McHugh’s 1-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.
Michigan St. 31, Indiana 3
Jeff Smoker tied a Michigan State record with 32 completions and accounted for three touchdowns for the No. 25 Spartans (5-1, 2-0).
Smoker finished 32-of-40 for 351 yards with two TDs, a rushing score and no interceptions. He tied the school mark for completions set by John Leister in a loss to Michigan in 1982.
It was Smoker’s third 300-yard game this season and the seventh of the senior’s career.
The Hoosiers (1-5, 0-2) lost their 11th straight road game.
Indiana, the lowest-scoring team in the Big Ten, did not score on five drives into Spartans territory. Three of the possessions ended because of sacks, one on a fumble.
“The offense had the ball in the midfield area and didn’t do anything with it,” Indiana coach Gerry DiNardo said.
