Today in Wisconsin Football History: Wilson's Big Day Sets Records in Chicago

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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A Record Setting Day Leads the Badgers to a W in Sacred Soldier Field

Today in Wisconsin Football History we go back just a few years to the 2011 season. The Badgers took to the road for a matchup with Northern Illinois at Soldier Field. Led by quarterback Russell Wilson the Badgers put up record book numbers as they hit the field in Chicago.

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

If Russell Wilson had not already made his presence felt in the 2011 season, he made sure everyone knew the impact he had after this matchup against Northern Illinois. Wilson struck right away as he hit Nick Toon for a first quarter touchdown. Early in the second quarter Wilson hit Toon again to put the Badgers up 14 to 7. The Huskies, desperate for a stop punted the ball down to Wisconsin’s own 3 yard line. The ensuing possession seemed to all but take the life out of Northern Illinois as Wilson led a 10 play, 97 yard drive and Wisconsin capped it off with a Montee Ball dive into the end zone. Later in the half James White broke 20 yard touchdown run to end the half with the Badgers leading 28 to 7.

Wisconsin went on to score three more times in the second half, opening up a record setting day. Wilson ended the day with 384 yards of offense (347 through the air) and three touchdowns. He completed 71 percent of his passes and set pace for offense efficiency in the Big Ten and the rest of the NCAA. Excited to play on such a big stage in Chicago, the 7th ranked Badgers put up a top 10 Total Offensive game in Wisconsin Football history as the Badgers posted a total of 621 yards, leading them to a 49 to 7 victory in the Windy City.