Donovan passes trigger Badgers

He threw three TD passes as Wisconsin cruised 42-21 past Washington State

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — New starting quarterback Tyler Donovan threw for three touchdowns and ran for another to help No. 7 Wisconsin shake off a mediocre defensive performance in a 42-21 victory over Washington State in Saturday’s season opener for both teams.

With Washington State focused on stopping running back P.J. Hill, the Badgers turned to Donovan, a fifth-year senior who was given the starting job by coach Bret Bielema only 10 days ago.

Wisconsin trailed 14-7 late in the first quarter but scored 21 unanswered points before halftime as Donovan got hot and the defense began to contain Cougars quarterback Alex Brink.

Washington State tried to rally early in the third quarter after a special-teams miscue by Wisconsin. The Badgers’ Ken DeBauche hit a short punt, then was flagged for illegally batting the ball forward, giving the ball to Washington State at the Wisconsin 42.

Brink drove the Cougars deep into Badgers territory, then found wide receiver Brandon Gibson on a 7-yard slant pattern for a touchdown, cutting the score to 28-21.

Donovan answered by leading the Badgers on another extended drive that ended with Hill scoring his second touchdown. Donovan completed 19-of-29 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns before being replaced midway through the fourth quarter by junior Allan Evridge, the player Donovan beat out for the starting job.

Swan catches 2 TD strikes

Two of Donovan’s touchdown passes went to wide receiver Luke Swan, who caught eight passes for a career-high 170 yards.

Hill carried 21 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns, but he nearly cost the Badgers a chance to put the game out of reach.

Stuck at midfield and trailing by two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter, Washington State tried a fake punt.

But punter Darryl Blunt’s lazy lob pass was intercepted by Wisconsin’s Aaron Henry.

The Badgers drove deep into Cougars territory, where Hill fumbled on second-and-goal but was able to recover. Donovan scored on a quarterback sneak on third-and-goal, allowing the Badgers to take a 42-21 lead.

It was an off day for the Badgers defense, at least by the standards set last season.

Wisconsin was No. 2 nationally in scoring defense in 2006, allowing only 12.1 points per game, and the Badgers held all but one opponent to 12 points or less at home.

They also got a scare when starting cornerback Jack Ikegwuonu hobbled into the locker room just before halftime. He returned to play in the first defensive series of the second half.