Badgers obliterate USF after weather delay in Florida, 49-0

The Wisconsin Badgers football defeated the University of South Florida Bulls by a score of 49-0 after a weather delay in Tampa, Florida Friday night.

Kickoff was delayed due to lightning in the sky for a weather delay, according to the University of South Florida Football official Twitter account.

Starting quarterback Jack Coan launched his first passing attempt to Quintez Cephus for a first down. Cephus played with the offense heavily in the first drive and throughout the rest of the game by the Badgers.

Jonathan Taylor's Heisman campaign began shortly after. The star running back ran for a 37-yard touchdown on the opening drive. He had 47 yards rushing in the first four minutes.

Coan then tried to hook up with Cephus long downfield on third-and-1, but overthrew the reinstated receiver while under pressure. It was Coan's second overthrow of Cephus, only for the Badgers to fail to convert on fourth down.

In the second quarter, outside linebacker for the Badgers, Zack Baun, leveled South Florida QB Blake Barnett. Matt Henningsen plucked the ball out of the air for an interception, and then a prompt return to the end zone for a pick-six. The Badgers led USF 14-0.

Taylor then turned a caught pass from Coan into a 36-yard touchdown. The impressive start continued to a score of 21-0. This was followed by a solid play on the other side of the ball. Safety Eric Burrell snagged an interception to put the Badgers in strong position before the end of the first half.

The superstar halfback did it again, by displaying a phenomenal diving effort into the end zone with two second left in the first half while the Badgers were out of timeouts. Taylor's second touchdown pass of the night put the Badgers up 28-0 going into halftime.

It became obvious the USF Bulls had no answer for Taylor. The Badger running back made yet another spectacular play in the third quarter, this time a 38-yard touchdown run. The Badgers were up 35-0 with four touchdowns from Taylor, two on the ground and two in the air.

Isaiah Loudermilk later forced a fumble on fourth down, and South Florida turned the ball over on downs. A stellar Badgers defensive effort continued by the boys from the Midwest.

The phenomenal performance by Taylor was put on hold for backup halfback Nakia Watson. He scored a 27-yard rushing touchdown in a nice debut. Wisconsin increased their lead to 42-0.

Backup quarterback Chase Wolf took over for Coan later in the fourth quarter. Wisconsin running back Bradrick Shaw, playing in his first game since 2017 after dealing with an ACL injury, scored on a 15-yard touchdown run. Wisconsin looked like a well oiled machine, gliding to a 49-0 lead.

Former Badgers were in attendance to support the team, including Leon Jacobs, Jesse Hayes, Jack Cichy, Dare Ogunbowale, D'Cota Dixon, Beau Allen and Darius Hillary. The game was at Raymond James Stadium.

Game on, sort of.