EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS 58) -- The Badgers have defeated Northwestern 42-7 in Jim Leonhard's first game as interim head coach.

This was the Badgers' first game under interim head coach Jim Leonhard, who was previously the team's defensive coordinator. The team fired Paul Chryst a day after their 34-10 loss to Illinois. Chryst spent over seven seasons with the Badgers.

For a little background, the Badgers have not won in Evanston since 2016. That changed today.

First Quarter:

The Badgers offense was fairly productive on their first drive. Braelon Allen had four carries for 36 yards. That momentum was gone when the Badgers missed a field goal and the Wildcats took over.

The Northwestern offense didn't gain much ground and the Badgers once again took over.

By this point, the Badgers offense was moving. They had nine first downs versus Northwestern's two.

Wisconsin put their first points on the board with a Graham Mertz 15-yard touchdown pass to Skyler Bell. After the PAT, it was 7-0 Badgers.

Shortly after, Northwestern quarterback Ryan Hilinski threw an interception and the Badgers took over.

The rest of the first quarter was fairly quiet. After one, it was 7-0 Badgers.

Second Quarter:

To start the second quarter, Mertz threw a pass to Chimere Dike for a 52-yard touchdown. After the PAT, it was 14-0 Badgers.

Northwestern's secondary was having a rough day, giving up wide-open passes to key Badgers receivers.

Northwestern running back Evan Hull, who is the 8^th-leading rusher in Big Ten, wasn't having his best game today either.

Shortly after, Dike scored his second touchdown of the day. After the PAT, it was 21-0 Badgers.

Northwestern's offense really couldn't gain any ground. Shortly after, the Badgers scored again. But here's one you don't see too often. Braelon Allen threw a touchdown pass to Chez Mellusi. He is the third Badgers running back to do so since 2000. James White did it in 2012 and Montee Ball did it in 2011. After the PAT, it was 28-0 Badgers.

Once the Wildcats took over, Hull had a big 45-yard run that put Northwestern near scoring range, but they were unable to put any points on the board.

At halftime, it was 28-0 Badgers.

Third Quarter:

Northwestern started with the ball in the third quarter, but it didn't take long before Hilinski threw his second interception of the day. Badgers took over.

Much of the third quarter was fairly quiet for the Wildcats. The Badgers defense was just too much for a struggling Northwestern offense.

About halfway through the third quarter, Hilinski was sacked by Nick Herbig and he fumbled the ball. Badgers recovered.

The Badgers went with the run for much of that drive, an area that has been nonexistent for the past two games. That changed today though. Despite not being able to capitalize on that drive, the Badgers still had some nice runs, including an 11-yard gain that put Allen at over 100 yards rushing on the day. However, the Badgers ended up punting the ball and Northwestern took over.

After three, it was 28-0 Badgers.

Fourth Quarter:

The Badgers scored right away in the fourth quarter with a pass to Dike. After the PAT, it was 35-0 Badgers.

On their next offensive drive, Northwestern had perhaps their best drive yet and scored six points. After the PAT, it was 35-7 Badgers.

That wasn't all. The Badgers scored again on their next offensive drive with a touchdown pass to Markus Allen. After the PAT, it was 42-7 Badgers.

Mertz finished the day 20/29, 299 yards and five touchdowns.

Braelon Allen had 23 carries for 135 yards.

Dike was the team's leading receiver, finishing with 10 catches for 185 yards and three touchdowns.

Next weekend, the Badgers head to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans.