Wisconsin student managers defeat Iowa to win Rusty Toolbox once again

It’s the appetizer to the main course, but a key group of Wisconsin Badgers started the weekend off right.

In the 22nd battle for the Rusty Toolbox between Wisconsin and Iowa’s student managers, UW prevailed in a 19-7 win inside the McClain Center on Friday night.

According to UW Equipment via Twitter, student managers Andy Miller, Jake Dragoo and Brad Burling scored touchdowns for Wisconsin. Miller appears to have played a hand in all three, with apparent touchdown passes to Dragoo and Burling.

Wisconsin’s equipment team also noted Jake Enz recorded a sack and Ben Mand caught an interception in the win.

The Rusty Toolbox Game actually started in 1991, but since 1995 has been played on the night before the two football programs faced off on the field. There was a two-year hiatus when UW and Iowa did not play each other during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

The contest is a flag football game, but that does not mean both teams do not take it seriously. Since 2009, the Badgers’ student managers have held the coveted trophy and now ride a seven-game winning streak.

With the win on Friday night, Wisconsin tied Iowa in the Rusty Toolbox series at 11-11.

We will see if the Wisconsin football team can take care of business on Saturday afternoon (2:30 p.m CT, ABC) against Iowa to retain the Heartland Trophy and continue their season undefeated.

Jake Kocorowski