The 2014 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers were led by second-year head coach Gary Andersen, were members of the new West Division of the Big Ten Conference, and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium. They finished the season 11–3, 7–1 in Big Ten play to be champions of the West Division. As champions of the West Division, they played East Division champions Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game where they lost 59-0. Several days after the Big Ten Championship game in early December, head coach Gary Andersen stepped down to become the head coach at Oregon State of the Pac-12 Conference. Athletic director and former Badger head coach Barry Alvarez was the interim head coach for the Outback Bowl against Auburn, a 34–31 overtime victory on New Year's Day in Tampa, Florida. Recruiting Watchlists and preseason awards Melvin Gordon Heisman Trophy Maxwell Award Doak Walker Award Walter Camp Award Dan Voltz Rimington Trophy Rob Havenstein Outland Trophy Lombardi Award Derek Watt Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee Schedule Schedule Source: Rankings Regular season games #13 LSU The Badgers started off the regular season with a neutral site game against the LSU Tigers in Houston, Texas. The game was McEvoy's debut as a Wisconsin quarterback. His 34.16 passer rating was the worst for a Wisconsin quarterback since 1977 when Mike Kalasmiki's debut passer rating was 5.20. After the game McEvoy stated that he was "disgusted" with his performance and that he "obviously had a bad game". Wisconsin's new starting kicker, freshman Rafael Gaglianone, made his first career field goal with a 51-yarder in the first quarter; his celebratory dance after making the kick was covered by some sporting news sites such as Bleacher Report. During the game Wisconsin's defensive tackle Konrad Zagzebski and defensive end Warren Herring sustained injuries. Zagzebski was taken off the field in the 1st quarter in a stretcher and taken to memorial hospital. Herring injured his knee in the 3rd quarter. Statistical Leaders Rushing: Melvin Gordon – 16 Carries, 147 Yards, 1 Touchdown Passing: Tanner McEvoy – 8 Completions/24 Attempts for 50 Yards, 0 Touchdowns, 2 Interceptions Receiving: Alex Erickson – 3 Receptions, 33 Yards Defense: Michael Caputo – 10 Solo & 10 Assist Tackles, 0 TFL 0 Sacks Postgame injuries and miscommunications After the game, it was