1982 Independence Bowl |
| Badger quarterback Randy Wright tossed two touchdown passes as Wisconsin overcame an early deficit to take a hard-earned 14-3 victory over Kansas State in the seventh annual Independence Bowl. The game, played in cold and wet conditions before an announced crowd of 49,523, marked the first-ever Bowl appearance by Kansas State in its then 87-year grid history. A 23-miles-per-hour wind dropped temperatures to 10 below zero and kept many fans away. After a scoreless first quarter, K-State took the game’s first lead with 7:10 left in the second period when Steve Willis booted a 29- yard field goal after defensive end Bob Daniels recovered a fumble at the Badger 18-yard line. The KSU lead was short-lived. On Wisconsin’s ensuing drive following the field goal, the Badgers marched 79 yards in eight plays, scoring a touchdown on a 16-yard pass from Wright to Michael Jones to give Wisconsin a 7-3 halftime lead. Wisconsin struck again midway through the third quarter when game offensive MVP Wright connected with Tim Stracka on an 87-yard touchdown pass for a 14-3 Badger advantage. K-State drove deep into Wisconsin territory on its next two possessions but could not score. One opportunity ended when a Wildcat pass was intercepted in the Badger end zone while the other was stymied at the Wisconsin 26-yard line when KSU could not convert on fourth down. Darrell Ray Dickey completed just 13 of 35 passes for 127 yards
and one interception on the day for 1982 Big Eight Coach of the
Year Jim Dickey's squad. |