Soldier Field Showdown II went from a highly-anticipated match up to a forgettable loss for NIU.

The Huskies (1-2) got beat up by the Wisconsin Badgers (3-0) in Chicago 49-7.

NIU was in the game early, trading touchdowns with Wisconsin in the first quarter.

Nick Toon, Wisconsin senior wide receiver, scored the first touchdown of the game on a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Russell Wilson.

Later in the first quarter, NIU running back Jasmin Hopkins marched into the end zone with a three-yard touchdown run, making the score 7-7.

After the touchdown, the Huskies tried to keep the momentum in their favor as kicker Mathew Sims attempted an onside kick, which touched several players before the Badgers finally came up with it.

NIU head coach Dave Doeren said if the Huskies had recovered the ball, the score might have been different.

“I told them that if we scored, that I’d go for a surprise onside,” Doeren said. “If we got it, we’d score again and get the momentum going. Had we gotten that surprise onside and marched down field, got them tired, and scored, it’s a different ball game.”

After the Badgers recovered the kick, they scored 42 unanswered offensive points while putting a hold on the Huskies’ offense.

Wisconsin dominated the time of possession battle by grinding out 278 total yards and four touchdowns on the ground, and Wilson wreaked havoc piling up 347 passing yards and three touchdowns through the air.

Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema couldn’t say enough about Wilson’s performance against the Huskies.

“He knows the game plan, he’s creative and can adapt well,” Bielema said. “He’s playing at a very high level and if there is someone out there who is better right now I’d like to see them.”

NIU’s offense never seemed to get anything going against the Badgers defense. The Huskies were held to 79 yards rushing and 164 yards passing, offensive statistics that seemed unusual from their performances the previous two weeks.

One Badgers player said their defense just played better than NIU’s offense.

“They’re a good offense. They do some really challenging things, but we were just sound, and when you’re sound and you make plays, it’s tough for an offense to get going,” said Chris Borland, Wisconsin sophomore middle linebacker.

NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish said he thought the Huskies played a little too cautiously Saturday.

“We normally play fast and loose with some swagger and attitude and we just didn’t do that today, and I don’t know what to accredit that to,” Harnish said. “I just think we were a little intimidated, and we can’t afford [to be intimidated]”.

Doeren said the team has to keep pressing on.

“There’s nothing we can do about what happened today other than learn from it and get better,” Doeren said.