By TOM LEA
tlea@espnwisconsin.com

MADISON – When Marcus Cromartie studied the tape from Wisconsin’s 16-14 win over Utah State, and more specifically the Aggies touchdown play toward the end of the first half, he thought he noticed body language from USU receiver Matt Austin that suggested he was a guilty party.

“It looked like he didn’t think it was a catch,” Cromartie said. “He thought it was pass interference on himself.”

Alas, it wasn’t.

The officials called the pass interference on Cromartie, even though it looked as though the physicality went both ways. The score gave Utah State a 14-3 lead entering the half and sparked the chorus of boos that ushered the Badgers into their locker room.

“I was telling myself to put the play behind me and just move forward,” Cromartie said. “Come out in the second half and get ready to play. That’s what I thought we did.”

The Badgers, featuring a freshman quarterback seeing his first game action, struggled offensively in the second half but mustered enough momentum to eek out a two-point win.

The last time the Aggies scored was that play at the end of the half. It’s something Cromartie learned from.

“You can’t live for those calls,” he said. “You can’t put the game in the referees hands or put that play in the referees hands. I’ve just got to make a better play on the ball and eliminate that from happening.”