Joel Stave threw two touchdown passes and Wisconsin’s running game showed signs of life as the Badgers defeated Illinois 31-14 on Saturday. Stave threw for 254 yards for the Badgers (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten), who rushed for 173 yards – 96 in the fourth quarter.

The offensive struggles of the Illini (2-4, 0-2) continued, with quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase the only positive. He finished with 178 yards passing and 84 rushing as Illinois gained 287 yards overall.

[VIDEO: Scheelhaase tries to high-five ref after TD run]

Scheelhaase ran for a 5-yard touchdown in the first quarter and threw for an 8-yard touchdown to Ryan Lankford to make it 24-14 late in the game.

But Jared Abberdaris fielded the ensuing onside kick, and Montee Ball scored his second touchdown of the game to snuff any hopes of an Illinois comeback.

Ball has 59 rushing TDs in his career, nine shy of the NCAA record. He finished with 19 carries for 116 yards.

[ RECAP | BY QUARTER | BOX | PBP | CONNECT | WEATHER ]

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FINAL: Wisconsin’s Montee Ball and Jared Abbrederis got the job done in a 31-14 win over Illinois on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Ball ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns, while Abbrederis caught seven passes for 116 yards and one touchdown.

The Badgers’ offense dominated, ripping off huge chunks of yardage. The Fighting Illini’s defense gave up four plays of at least 20 yards. With 4:10 to go in the second quarter, Joel Stave tossed a 62-yard touchdown to James White, Wisconsin’s longest play on the day.

Stave completed 16-of-25 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Wisconsin’s offense finished the game having gained 425 yards. Along with Stave’s stats in the passing game, the Badgers also added 172 yards rushing on 33 attempts.

The Fighting Illini’s offense finished the game having gained 284 yards, including 178 passing yards on 18 completions. Illinois’ rushing attack also contributed 106 yards to the total, with the tally coming on 34 carries.

The Fighting Illini’s Scheelhaase was good for 178 yards during the game, completing 18 of 29 passes. Scheelhaase tossed one touchdown and one interception. Darius Millines was a key target for Scheelhaase. He hauled in five catches for 54 yards.

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