Quarterback Graham Mertz passed for a touchdown and scored on two sneaks to help Wisconsin trounce No. 9 Iowa 27-7 on Saturday for its fourth consecutive victory in NCAA football.

Wisconsin (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) forced three turnovers, racked up six sacks, and held Iowa to just 24 yards on 30 carries. The Badgers seized control of the Big Ten West Division race, as well as the Heartland Trophy, which is awarded to the winner of this annual clash.

Also Read: NCAA: Florida State Seminoles thrash UMass Minutemen 59-3 to win the third straight game

After being rated second in the country only a few weeks ago, Iowa (6-2, 3-2) has been outscored 51-14 in its previous two games. This was Iowa’s first game since a 24-7 defeat to Purdue at home on Oct. 16.

Iowa’s net yardage total didn’t start to rise until midway through the second quarter, when the Hawkeyes were already behind 17-0. Iowa didn’t get a first down until the second quarter was nearly over.

Braelon Allen of Wisconsin ran for 104 yards on 20 carries. After averaging only 12 carries in Wisconsin’s first four games, the 17-year-old rookie has rushed for over 100 yards in four straight games.

Also Read: NCAA: Penn State downs Illinois in the first nine-overtime game in NCAA

The Badgers led 20-0 at halftime after Iowa fumbled three times inside its own 20-yard line in the second quarter, resulting in 10 points for Wisconsin. Before Saturday’s game, Iowa was rated third in the Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin, while Wisconsin was ranked 124th.

Spencer Petras scored from 1 yard out on a quarterback sneak to put Iowa back in the game early in the third quarter. On the next play, Iowa drove into Wisconsin territory, but fullback Monte Pottebaum was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the 40 by Scott Nelson and Jack Sanborn.

Also Read: NCAA: Late Arquon Bush interception leads Cincinnati to victory over Navy

Wisconsin’s next possession culminated with Mertz’s second 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Badgers a 27-7 edge with 12:54 left.  

Mertz went 11 of 22 for 104 yards. He threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ferguson late in the first quarter to put Wisconsin ahead for good.

Iowa fumbled again later in the second quarter when punt returner Max Cooper had the ball bounce off his chest. Travian Blaylock of Wisconsin recovered at the 18-yard line, setting up Collin Larsh’s 32-yard field goal.

With inputs from Associated Press