UW will be without both starting safeties for the first half against Northwestern after targeting penalties

JR Radcliffe
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin safety Reggie Pearson is escorted off the field after a ejection for targeting during the second half Saturday.

MADISON – In a span of five plays, the Wisconsin Badgers lost both their starting safeties for the rest of Saturday's game  – and half of the next one  – when Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson were ejected from the game for targeting.

Burrell's hit on Michigan quarterback Dylan McCaffrey was flagged as a late hit, then reviewed and assessed as targeting. By rule, Burrell was out for the rest of the game and the first half of the next one, when Wisconsin plays Northwestern at Camp Randall Stadium in a week.

The more violent of the two hits belonged to Pearson, whose tackle of McCaffrey knocked him from the game and was flagged immediately as targeting.

It was bad news for a team that's already without starting safety Scott Nelson, lost for the season with a torn ACL. Collin Wilder and sophomore walk-on Tyler Mais took the place of Burrell and Pearson, and the Badgers still have Madison Cone listed in the two-deep at free safety. But they will certainly be short-handed next week for at least a half.

"We've got some dogs behind them; our whole secondary is dogs," linebacker Chris Orr said. "They've been ready all camp. Camp, spring ball, summer workouts, winter workouts, practice during the season. We have everybody prepare like they're a starter. Nobody prepares differently. ... This is the game of football, and unfortunately, injuries happen and targeting is part of the game. You never know what's going to happen."

Burrell, who recorded a fumble recovery and interception before departing, said he's "not a ref for a reason" when asked about the call.

"I went out there and did what I was supposed to do," Burrell said. "He made the call, it was targeting, I can't do anything about that. I have to move on and get ready for next week.

"I think it will be a little difficult for me. But I already know what the consequences are, but that's not going to change me. I'll still encourage the guys, whoever is out there."

Pearson, a Michigan native who matched his career high with five tackles and also forced a fumble Saturday, tried to fire up the Wisconsin fans as he trotted off the field but admitted it was disappointing to leave.

"I feel confident in our two guys behind us," Pearson said. "They went out and made plays the last two quarters. They gave up two (touchdowns), but that's nothing."

BOX SCORE:Wisconsin 35, Michigan 14

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SCOREBOARD:Big Ten | Top 25

Michigan stifled on third downs

The Badgers went 5 of 13 on third downs and 3 for 3 on fourth downs in the game, part of the reason they were able to control the clock with an advantage of 41 minutes, 7 seconds to 18:53. In Wisconsin's 38-13 drubbing at the hands of Michigan last year, Wisconsin went 2 of 11 on third down (1 of 1 on fourth) and lost the possession battle by almost just as lopsided a measure, 37:01-22:59. 

It was a similar changeover on the other side of the ball, where Michigan went 0 for 10 on third downs (3 for 4 on fourth downs) after going 7 of 16 on third downs last year.

Hicks makes one of the game's biggest plays

The Badgers' fourth-down conversion deep in their own territory on the opening drive proved to be a massive talking point after the win, as was the fumble that stopped Michigan's own red-zone attempt thereafter. But were it not for cornerback Faion Hicks, the momentum generated by both may never have happened.

Hicks sprinted downfield to catch Ronnie Bell and tackle him at the 7-yard line after a missed tackle by Burrell allowed Bell to catch and run free down the sideline for a 68-yard gain. For a moment, it looked like Michigan only needed one offensive snap to match Wisconsin's 12-play scoring drive to open the game.

"When our guy missed a tackle, I just knew (what I had to do)," Hicks said. "We can't let him score. It paid off for us."

"As a defensive player, you never know when things like (the fumble) are going to happen. You just keep playing. I think we made a statement that this is one of the best teams in the country. I just hope the whole nation understands that this is a really good football team."

Taylor brilliant on the field, and then off it, too

According to ESPN Stats and Info, no player had rushed for more yards in the first quarter against a Jim Harbaugh Michigan team than Taylor, who racked up 143 yards in the first 15 minutes.

Taylor (22 carries, 203 yards, two touchdowns) is the first Wisconsin player to rush for 200 yards against Michigan during Harbaugh's tenure. He's one 100-yard game behind Montee Ball, whose 26 are second in program history behind Ron Dayne (33).

As impressive as Taylor was on the field, he also had a great moment off it, when he stopped to pose with an ailing young fan before leaving the field. Taylor said afterward he'd never met the fan before, and it was an impromptu gesture.

Badgers pick up commitment from linebacker

Preston Zachman, a three-star linebacker recruit out of Pennsylvania, must have liked what he saw during the game. He tweeted shortly after the game that he had committed to Wisconsin after UW extended him a scholarship offer nine days ago. 

The 6-2, 205-pounder projects as a linebacker and also currently plays quarterback for Southern Columbia Area High School in Catawissa, Pennsylvania.