The Wisconsin Badgers hung on to defeat the Oklahoma State Cowboys 24-27 in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl Tuesday night in Phoenix to give Coach Luke Fickell his first win.

Wisconsin had a 3-0 lead early and was threatening for more when Chase Wolf threw an interception deep in Cowboy territory that lead to a quick 84-yard touchdown pass play on the next play.

The Badgers controlled the time of possession most of the game, especially in the first half building a 17-7 lead.  Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi both scored touchdowns and rushed for 116 and 77 yards respectively to lead Wisconsin.  Wolf finished 16 for 26 and 116 yards for the night, as the Wisconsin defense came up with a big interception by Cedrick Dort, Jr. late in the game to preserve the victory.

The Badgers finish 7-6 in a tumultuous season in which head coach Paul Chryst was fired at mid-season and Defensive Coordinator Jim Leohnard took over as interim coach, before Fickell’s hiring after the regular season.