The University of Wisconsin football team escaped from its first big test of the season with a huge win on the road, pulling out a 13-10 victory over No. 21 Fresno State at hostile Bulldog Stadium.

After the game, Capital Time columnist and Badger Radio Network color commentator answered questions about the game via telephone from Fresno early Sunday morning with the Wisconsin State Journal's Rob Hernandez acting as moderator.

Q. Mike, you were there. How tough was the atmosphere there at Bulldog Stadium, especially for Badger quarterback Allan Evridge?

A. It was wild early, when Fresno State took the field. But the Badgers controlled the first half to such an extent that they took the crowd out of the game. They didn't get back into it until the second half, after the big plays. Otherwise, I thought the first half Wisconsin was totally in control of the environment by the way they ran their offense and played good defense, to stymie everything Fresno State tried to do on offense.

Q. Frustrating replay ruling there in the third quarter, Mike. How did the officials get it wrong with the Fresno State fumble in the third quarter?

A. In all honesty, we didn't have a TV so we didn't get a chance to look at the replay ourselves. But it becomes a judgment call on whether or not (the receiver) had possession of the ball. It looked to me, on first glance, that (UW's Shane) Carter had come over and punched out and (the receiver) had already taken a step-and-a-half and it should have been a fumble recovery for Wisconsin.

But you can't worry about those types of things. What this game showed was the Badgers were able to play through it, even though it gave momentum to Fresno State. The game could have very well been over there if the Badgers had been able to put some points on the board on that series. They didn't, but they were still able to survive and escape.

Q. What's up with the Badger tailbacks not being able to hang onto the football? That fumble by Zach Brown early on really set them back a little bit.

A. I'm not sure. That was just a big hit and a collision. Sometimes, you're going to get that. I thought that the play call late in the game with (fullback) Bill Rentmeester -- giving him a chance to get the first down -- was huge. They took (Chris) Pressley out of the game because he has problems hanging onto the ball after injurying his finger and Rentmeester came in and moved the pile. I think that's a pretty good Plan B when you don't have to give the ball to your tailback and your fullback keeps the drive alive. It was the play of the game in many respects because Rentmeester prevented Fresno State from getting the ball back.

Q. How about the two blocks on special teams, Mike -- the punt block and the blocked field goal by Frenso State? Were those just missed assignments or was that an area where the Badgers were walking a tight rope?

A. On the blocked punt, it was a matter of a low snap and (Brad) Nortman dropping the ball. So that through off the timing, so that was more on Nortman and the long snapper not executing. Otherwise, I don't think they block it.