Wisconsin’s Evans Ties Record

The only thing Lee Evans loves more than facing Michigan State is seeing the Spartans in man-to-man coverage.

“If you beat your man, then you can have a lot of success,” Evans said after tying a Big Ten record with five touchdown catches in Wisconsin’s 56-21 rout of No. 21 Michigan State on Saturday.

The Spartans, 7-4 overall and 4-3 in the Big Ten, never adjusted, doubling Evans only when he lined up in the slot but usually leaving sophomore cornerback Darren Barnett to fend for himself whenever Evans lined up outside for Wisconsin (7-4, 4-3).

“He’s the best receiver I’ve ever faced,” Barnett said. “I’ve never seen anyone want the ball so much. He’s so fluid and talented. But we didn’t come out ready to play him.”

Evans, who missed all of last season after two knee surgeries, established several school records on a cold afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium.

His five touchdown receptions tied the Big Ten mark set in 1993 by Minnesota’s Omar Douglas and he caught a career-best 10 passes for a school-record 258 yards.