Wisconsin, Dayne Run to Victory

MADISON, Wis. — As Michigan State learned on Saturday, Ron Dayne at his best is better than just about anybody.

Wisconsin’s overpowering tailback gave another stellar performance, rushing for 214 yards and two touchdowns as No. 17 Wisconsin shredded the nation’s best run defense and routed the No. 11 Spartans, 40-10.

Michigan State had given up 279 rushing yards, the fewest in the country, in its first seven games. The Badgers racked up 301, including touchdowns runs of 51 and 15 yards by Dayne, who had just one of his 34 carries in the fourth quarter.

“We knew that they were No. 1, and that was one of our main goals, to go out and run on them,” Dayne said. “My offensive line, the fullbacks and tight ends all had great games.”

After a string of mediocre performances that put his season goals in jeopardy, Dayne was in top form in Wisconsin’s last two home victories, during which the Badgers, 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big Ten Conference, outscored their opponents, 99-10.

The Spartan front seven was thought to be one of the best in the country, but Michigan State (6-2, 3-2) had almost no success in containing Dayne, who bulled his way to 152 first-half yards and closed in on the Big Ten career touchdowns record.

Dayne passed former USC running back Charles White for third place on the major-college career rushing list, and moved within 483 yards of Ricky Williams’ record. Dayne must average 161 yards in Wisconsin’s final three games against Northwestern, Purdue and Iowa to set the mark.

Cornerback Jamar Fletcher intercepted two passes for the Badgers, who earned their fourth consecutive conference victory with a second straight overwhelming performance. Wisconsin beat Indiana, 59-0, the previous Saturday and led the Spartans, 33-3, early in the fourth quarter.