News 11.28.16
28 November 2016 News
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has fallen out of the National Science Foundation’s top five research institutions for the first time in over 40 years because of the school decreasing spending on research. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the university’s spending on research declined by over $100 million between 2012 and 2015. Campus officials highlighted the falling expenditures Tuesday as they encouraged lawmakers to increase funding for the University of Wisconsin System in the next state budget. Vice chancellor for research and graduate education Marsha Mailick says years of funding cuts have made it more difficult for the university to recruit top researchers. Mailick says the state needs to reinvest to make sure the institution has faculty positions and conditions necessary to attract and retain the best researchers.
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A father and his 9-year-old daughter died after the car they were in was rear-ended by a man who police believe was intoxicated. Police say 39-year-old Kevin Dalley and his daughter, Emily, were killed Friday. A 6-year-old girl who was in the car was injured. The driver of the pickup truck who rear-ended them was arrested on suspicion of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. The 25-year-old man hasn’t been formally charged. Police say he has a prior drunken-driving conviction.
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An invasive snail is being blamed for the deaths of hundreds of waterfowl on the Mississippi River. Close to 1,000 dead coot and lesser scaup have been found washed up on the shores near Genoa since October. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the birds are believed to have an intestinal parasite found in faucet snails, which are a food source for waterfowl. The parasite can infect the birds and cause death within three to eight days. Since the arrival of the snail, the bird deaths have been occurring annually for the past 15 years. The National Wildlife Health Center says there are no reported health risks from handling or consuming the infected waterfowl, however hunters are advised to wear gloves.
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Corey Clement ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, a big-play defense pitched a second-half shutout, and No. 5 Wisconsin beat Minnesota 31-17 on Saturday for its 13th straight win in the annual border rivalry. The Badgers triumphantly lifted Paul Bunyan’s Axe again, the trophy that goes to the victor in the most-played rivalry in major college football. Wisconsin (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten, No. 6 CFP) turned in a stalwart defensive effort in the second half after getting outplayed in the first and falling behind by 10 points at halftime. The comeback served as an exclamation point for an already momentous weekend. Wisconsin had wrapped up the Big Ten West and a trip to next week’s league title game after Nebraska lost to Iowa on Friday night. Mitch Leidner threw four interceptions in the second half for Minnesota (8-4, 5-4). The protection around him crumbled as the Badgers mixed up their defensive pressures. On offense, Wisconsin’s running game finally caught up in the fourth quarter. Jazz Peavy went 71 yards on a jet sweep down the right sideline to the Minnesota 11. Two plays later, Clement bowled into the end zone from 2 yards to give Wisconsin the lead for good, 24-17, with 6:42 left. Four-year starter Sojourn Shelton, playing in his last home game, had two interceptions. Shelton had an entertaining 40-yard, across-the-field return to the Minnesota 19 after his first interception with about 13 minutes left. Clement scored his first touchdown of the game three plays later to tie it at 17. Backup quarterback Bart Houston played the entire second half for Wisconsin because of an injury to starter Alex Hornibrook. Houston finished 9 of 14 for 123 yards. For Minnesota, Drew Wolitarsky had four catches for 76 yards, including a 35-yard reception after tipping the ball to himself and advancing to the Wisconsin 22 late it the second quarter. It set up Leidner’s 3-yard touchdown run with 53 seconds left for a 17-7 halftime lead. It was the 126th meeting in a series that dates back to 1890.
THE TAKEAWAY
Minnesota: The rough fourth quarter overshadowed a terrific first half for Minnesota. Leidner threw off the Badgers’ active defense early with keepers around the edges, including his scoring run late in the first half. He finished 9 of 26 for 158 yards and a score, with 46 yards rushing on 16 carries.
A five-win season in the Big Ten, even with a softer schedule, is a confidence builder for the future. But the Gophers still can’t catch up to their biggest measuring stick.
Wisconsin: The Badgers had perhaps their worst first half of the season, with Minnesota following Wisconsin’s blueprint for success. The defense missed key tackles, and the running game couldn’t get going. The left-handed Hornibrook departed after taking a shot to his right shoulder after throwing an incompletion near the sideline late in the second quarter. Hornibrook then fell to the turf, with the back of his helmet slamming hard into the ground.
UP NEXT:
Minnesota: Awaits its bowl destination. The Gophers will play in its fifth consecutive bowl game, tied for longest streak in program history.
Wisconsin: Plays No. 7 Penn State in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 3 in Indianapolis.
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