Wisconsin entered its game Saturday without two of the team's top running backs, which presented a daunting challenge in itself. When the Badgers lost starting quarterback Joel Stave late in the first quarter to a head injury, it appeared the attrition might be too much to overcome. Then came second-half injuries to starting center Dan Voltz and starting receiver Rob Wheelwright.
Despite all those setbacks, Wisconsin managed to hang on for a 24-13 victory against Illinois on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The win demonstrated the Badgers' toughness in the face of adversity and provided a breakout moment for backup quarterback Bart Houston.