.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Everybody knows Badgers run.
This Wisconsin team, however, is going to do a lot more than that.
The 621 yards of offense piled up by the Badgers in Saturday's 49-7 rout of Northern Illinois was the sixth-highest total for a single game, and most in eight years. Russell Wilson threw for 347 of those yards, the seventh-best single-game performance by a Wisconsin quarterback and only ninth 300-yard game in school history.
''Everybody talks about (Wilson's) scrambling. He got loose on us a few times, but he's a good quarterback,'' Northern Illinois defensive end Sean Progar said. ''He put the ball on the money to his receivers.''
The victory, Wisconsin's 31st straight in the regular-season over a non-conference opponent, moved the Badgers up one spot to No. 6 in this week's poll. The Badgers (3-0) have one more tuneup before their highly anticipated Oct. 1 game against new Big Ten member Nebraska at Camp Randall.
Wisconsin has had mobile quarterbacks before. Had a few who could throw some, too. But never have the Badgers had one who could do both as well as Wilson, who transferred this summer from North Carolina State.
''He's playing at a high, high level,'' Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said. ''If there's someone out there playing better, I'd like to see him because he's an exceptional football player.''
That Wilson has a strong arm is a given. A second baseman, he was drafted last year by the Colorado Rockies and was playing in Single-A when he decided to play for the Badgers. But he also has as smooth a throwing motion as anyone. When he hit Jacob Pedersen in stride for a 55-yard gain to set up Wisconsin's third score, the throw looked effortless.
He is accurate, completing almost 76 percent (50 of 66) of his passes this season, and his game management is both efficient and impressive. He completed passes to seven different players Saturday, but didn't hesitate to take off running when the play didn't develop or the defense left him room.
Then there's his agility, a deftness that will be essential in the rough and tumble Big Ten. At one point late in the second quarter, Wilson seemed all but certain to be sacked. He was surrounded by several Northern Illinois players, and one had a hand on Wilson. But he somehow managed to wriggle free, turning what had appeared to be a loss into an 11-yard gain.
Two plays later, James White scored Wisconsin's fourth touchdown.
''It's his mind,'' Bielema said when asked to explain what sets Wilson apart. ''Obviously, God blessed him with a tremendous amount of athletic ability. But his mind is second to none. ... He just continues to think ahead of the (current) play.''
It helps that Wilson has a roster full of versatile guys.
Montee Ball and James White are punishing running backs, both having rushed for over 900 yards last year. They each rushed for 91 yards Saturday, but White also had three catches for 35 yards and Ball had two for 32. Both have four catches this year.
''Coming in to the season, I knew Ball and White could catch. They have nice, soft hands and are talented,'' Bielema said. ''They bring an option to our game that we have never really had before.''
There's more where those two came from, too. With the game well in hand, Bielema got some of his youngsters playing time in the fourth quarter. Jeff Lewis had one catch to go with his four carries, while fellow freshman running back Melvin Gordon gained 32 yards on five carries.
''That's a positive thing that a lot of guys can make a lot of great plays,'' Wilson said. ''Just get the ball to the right guys, that's my job.''
