Dayne-Less Wisconsin Rallies for 26-14 Win

Mike Samuel scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 47-yard quarterback draw early in the fourth quarter and No. 20 Wisconsin, playing without tailback Ron Dayne, rallied to defeat San Diego State, 26-14, on Saturday night.

With Wisconsin trailing, 14-13, Samuel took the snap in the shotgun formation on first-and-15, bounced off a pile of players and ran up the field through the traffic. An Aztec barely got a hand on Samuel at about the 30, but the quarterback was otherwise untouched in scoring with 11:56 left.

Wisconsin scored the game’s final 17 points. Two scores were set up by turnovers and one by a blocked punt.

Wisconsin got its final points when San Diego State backup quarterback Brian Russell was knocked back and fell in the end zone for a safety with 2:53 left.

Dayne, who scored four touchdowns in Wisconsin’s 36-10 victory over San Diego State last season, has been slowed because of a sprained right ankle, and the decision to keep him out apparently went down to game time.

Backup Eddie Faulkner started but was forced out after aggravating a shoulder injury in the first quarter. Third-string tailback Carlos Daniels had 113 yards in 28 carries.