Badgers PFF Grades: Best, Worst Players From Loss to USC

Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers football team fell apart in the second half against the No. 13 USC Trojans on Saturday and wound up losing 38-21 on the road — dropping to 2-2 on the season.

The Badgers entered halftime with a 21-10 lead and all the momentum in the world. However, it was a tail of two halves for Wisconsin, which fell flat after a muffed punt by transfer Tyrell Henry and then followed that up by failing to convert on a critical fourth and one late in the third quarter.

“It’s disheartening. It’s really difficult. You’re looking for guys, and the game comes down to making plays. In the first half, we made some plays. We created some turnovers, made some stops, made some plays on third down. In the second half, they made all the plays on third down. On both sides of the ball," Fickell told reporters . "We’re in a tough spot, but we knew there was a chance in this league, as you looked at it before the season started, there were some opportunities, and there were some chances that you’re going to have to battle through some really tough times. This is one of them. So we’ll find out what we’re made of.”

Based on grades from Pro Football Focus, here are the best and worst players (10 snap minimum) from the Badgers' Week 5 loss to USC.

Top 5 Graded Players on Offense

1. QB Braedyn Locke: 79.6

2. WR Vinny Anthony: 73.9

3. RB Tawee Walker: 71.8

4. WR Bryson Green: 70.3

5. RB Chez Mellusi: 69.6

Top 5 Graded Players on Defense

1. S Preston Zachman: 83.7

2. DL Elijah Hills: 80.9

3. S Austin Brown: 77.8

4. CB Ricardo Hallman: 76.8

5. LB Christian Alliegro: 70.1

Bottom 5 Players on the Offense

1. WR Trech Kekahuna: 45.0

2. WR Will Pauling: 48.6

3. TE Tucker Ashcraft: 48.9

4. OL Jake Renfro: 52.3

5. OL Jack Nelson: 54.5

Bottom 5 Players on the Defense

1. LB Jaheim Thomas: 42.8

2. LB Tackett Curtis: 47.7

3. DL Ben Barten: 51.0

4. CB Xavier Lucas: 52.1

5. OLB Aaron Witt: 60.4

Related: Wisconsin Football Snap Counts From 38-21 Loss to No. 13 USC

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