Wisconsin Defeats Miami In Orange Bowl
Well, Wisconsin really showed how good their offense is. Wisconsin defeated the Miami Hurricanes 34-24 on Saturday night in the Orange Bowl to complete a 13-1 season.
Alex Hornibrook was on fire, completing 23 of 34 passes for 258 yards and 4 touchdowns. Running back Jonathan Taylor had a great night too rushing 26 times for 130 yards. Receiver A.J. Taylor had 8 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, and Danny Davis III had 5 catches for 56 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Miami quarterback Malik Rosier had 203 passing yards and a touchdown in the losing effort.
Miami came out of the gates strong, with two early touchdowns in the first quarter. The first a 5-yard rush from Travis Homer to give the ‘Canes a 7-3 lead after a Rafael Gaglianone 35-yard field goal to open the game. The second touchdown came on a DeeJay Dallas 39-yard run and it gave the ‘Canes a 14-3 lead after the 1st quarter.
The 2nd quarter would be a different story though. After Malik Rosier threw an interception that was batted in the air and caught by Andrew Van Ginkel, the Badgers drove down and scored on a Hornibrook pass to Danny Davis III from 20-yards out. That cut the lead to just 4.
After forcing a Miami punt, Wisconsin got the ball back and scored yet again. This time Hornibrook found A.J. Taylor for a 16 yard touchdown grab. That touchdown gave Wisconsin a 17-14 lead with 5:49 remaining in the 1st half.
The Wisconsin defense forced yet another punt and retained possession at their own 38 yard line. The Badgers drove down the field again and hornibrook found Davis III again for a 5-yard touchdown. The score gave the Badgers a 24-14 lead heading into the half.
Out of the half, Miami scored on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Rosier to Lawrence Cager, to pull within 3, 24-21.
Seven minutes later Wisconsin kicker Gaglianone hit a 47-yarder to extend the lead to six points, 27-21.
Later in the fourth quarter Michael Badgley drilled a 41-yarder to cut the Badger lead in half. But Alex Hornibrook had other plans, as he nailed Davis III again for another touchdown to seal the deal. Wisconsin wins the 2017 Orange Bowl 34-24.
