Darrion Dupree ran for two touchdowns, including an 84-yarder, to pace host Wisconsin to a 27-10 upset of No. 21 Illinois in a Big Ten matchup Saturday night in Madison, Wis.
Dupree, who entered with 181 yards rushing on the season, added a 4-yard scoring run to put Wisconsin up 24-10 with 8:16 remaining.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer was sacked on fourth-and-5 on the ensuing possession. Wisconsin converted the stop into Nathanial Vakos’ 32-yard field goal to make it 27-10.
Dupree, whose longest run this season had been 17 yards in a season-high 52-yard effort against Maryland in the fourth game, finished with 131 yards on 17 carries for Wisconsin (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten).
Altmyer completed 21 of 35 passes for 248 yards, but Illinois (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) managed just 50 yards on the ground.
Dupree, who missed two games after injuring his knee in early October, put the Badgers up 17-7 with his long run with 9:40 left in the third quarter.
On second-and-10 from the Wisconsin 16, Dupree went off the right side, stepped through a tackle at the second level and had no defender between him and the goal line.
David Olano’s 24-yard field goal brought Illinois within 17-10 entering the final period.
Illinois punter Keelan Crimmins was tackled for a 14-yard loss following a bad snap, with Wisconsin taking over at the Illini 14. Four plays later, Dupree scored from 4 yards out to make it 24-10.
Vakos put the Badgers up 10-7 with a 47-yard field goal with 14 seconds left in the half.
Illinois tied it 7-all on a 12-yard touchdown keeper by Altmyer. Hank Beatty’s 28-yard punt return set up the 55-yard scoring drive.
Wisconsin took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when Vinny Anthony scored on a 6-yard end-around to cap a 16-play, 80-yard drive.
Illinois drove to the Wisconsin 17 on the ensuing possession, only to be set back by a 15-yard penalty. Olano’s 37-yard field goal attempt was wide left.
–Field Level Media
