MADISON, Wisconsin — As Abu Sama scored from 72 yards out on Wisconsin’s first play from scrimmage on Saturday night, it looked like things would get ugly in a hurry for Western Illinois. Most of the ugly, however, was for Wisconsin. The Badgers eventually prevailed 36-9, but not without getting more than they asked for from the Leathernecks.
On his second carry of the game, Sama added another 31 yards to his total, setting up a Gavin Lahm field goal to extend the lead to 10 less than five minutes into the game.
The early bleeding wouldn’t stop there for Western Illinois, as Carson Van Dinter got home to block and recover the Leathernecks’ second punt of the night, taking it in for a score. At the 7:54 mark of the first quarter, Wisconsin was leading 17-0…