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Rapid Reaction: Northwestern topples No. 20 Wisconsin 31-17 to take control of Big Ten West

EVANSTON, Ill. — The Wildcats finally got it done.

Three Wisconsin turnovers led to 17 Northwestern points, and the Wildcats dominated the game’s final three quarters en route to a 31-17 win Saturday at Ryan Field.

Clayton Thorson accounted for three touchdowns — two on the ground and one through the air — and Northwestern’s defense stymied a powerful Wisconsin rushing attack to stun the Badgers (5-3, 3-2).

With the win, Northwestern (5-3, 5-1 B1G) controls its own destiny in the Big Ten West, and the Nov. 10 matchup with a one-loss Iowa team looms even larger.