Wisconsin runs over Hurricanes

Published 2:28 am Wednesday, December 30, 2009

ORLANDO, Fla. — All that Miami speed was no match for the big, bad Badgers.

John Clay had 121 yards rushing and two touchdowns, powering No. 24 Wisconsin past 14th-ranked Miami 20-14 in the Champs Sports Bowl on Tuesday night.

Clay ran through, over and around the Hurricanes to help the Badgers (10-3) earn their first victory over a ranked opponent this season and claim a big win for the Big Ten.

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Scott Tolzien threw for 260 yards, and Montee Ball added 61 yards rushing for a Wisconsin team touted as too big and too slow for the dynamic Hurricanes.

Miami’s Jacory Harris struggled before throwing a touchdown pass to Thearon Collier with 1:22 remaining. The Hurricanes recovered the onside kick, but Harris threw incomplete on fourth down to end any hope of a comeback.

Harris, who threw for 188 yards, was slowed by an injured right thumb, brace around his left leg and a Badgers team that smothered him with four sacks. Miami also lost Graig Cooper to a right knee injury in the second quarter.

The Hurricanes (9-4) will have to wait at least another year to end their drought of 10-win seasons. The Badgers made sure of that. Even if they didn’t show it at the start.