The Wisconsin Badgers snapped victory from the jaws of defeat on Saturday evening against Big Ten West rival Illinois. Despite trailing for most of the game, true freshman quarterback Braedyn Locke led Wisconsin down the field in the final two minutes of the game to score the game-winning touchdown with less than a minute to play.
As great as it was to score the winning touchdown, it was made even better by the play call. In a bit of trickery, offensive lineman Nolan Rucci reported as eligible. After feigning a block, he broke to the end zone. Locke lofted a pass to the wide open lineman who snagged the high pass to put the Badgers in front.
Wisconsin Badgers Fans React to Nolan Rucci’s Touchdown Catch
After the game, Rucci revealed that the Badgers had practiced the play a few times over the past few weeks, and that he had made the catch every time. It was no different when they were finally able to put into a game:
The play you’ve all been waiting for. Nolan Rucci TUDDY. pic.twitter.com/obPS3o2Av3
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 21, 2023
As mentioned, Wisconsin trailed for most of the game. Without their starting quarterback, hope was all but lost for many. However, that play proved that the Badgers are still a legitimate threat to eek out a win on any given Saturday, and fans loved it:
THE WISCONSIN BADGERS KNOW FOOTBALL. NOLAN RUCCI WITH THE BIG FELLA TOUCHDOWN TO SEAL THE GAME!!!
pic.twitter.com/ZJJp37G0KG
— Big Fella Podcast (@BigFellaPod) October 21, 2023
Heck yeah!!!! Wow!!! Nolan Rucci TD!!! @RossTuckerNFL #Badgers
— Steve Fifer (@SparkyRadio) October 21, 2023
Nolan Rucci!!!!! WHO SAW THAT COMING????
— Alex Strouf (@alex_strouf) October 21, 2023
BADGERS CALLED A PASS TO NOLAN RUCCI!!!!! TOUCHDOWN!!!!
— Jon Meck – Khash Money Stan (@BleedBadgerRed) October 21, 2023
Rucci’s brother, Hayden, who is also on the Badgers football team, also had something to say about the play:
There is nothing like blocking for your brother on the game winning touchdown @nolanrucci LETS GOOOOOOOOOhttps://t.co/g26OIfWLba
— Hayden Rucci (@haydenrucci) October 21, 2023
The best part of the win today: Iowa lost to Minnesota 12-10, giving the Hawkeyes two losses in Big Ten play. This means that Wisconsin is now in first place in their division of the conference.
The Badgers host third-ranked Ohio State next week.
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