As innocuous a sideline object as it seems, there have been times where the kicking net has been known to suddenly square up and tackle an unsuspecting football player. Years ago in the NFL, Odell Beckham Jr. found that out when he was taken down by a kicking net at the end of a temper tantrum. And Saturday during a Big Ten matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes, the kicking net ended up being the one force on Iowa’s defense that could stop a young Badgers running back.
In the first quarter, freshman running back Braelon Allen was able to break free against the Hawkeye defens, gaining 28 yards before finally being forced out of bounds inside Iowa’s 30-yard line. With plenty of forward momentum still going, Allen ended up running into the kicking net on Iowa’s sideline, which proceeded to absorb him as it tumbled to the ground.
Wisconsin ended up being able to laugh about Allen’s mishap, as the Badgers rolled all over the Hawkeyes in a 27-7 victory that allowed them to reclaim the Heartland Trophy. Wisconsin’s victory was largely a product of their defense, as they forced three turnovers and got six sacks while holding Iowa to a measly 24 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Meanwhile, Allen — a 17-year old freshman — rushed for 104 yards on 20 carries, marking his fourth straight game with over 100 rushing yards. The Badgers are now 5-3 and 3-2 in Big Ten competition.
