ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- The trio of John Stocco, Brian Calhoun and Brandon Williams sent coach Barry Alvarez out on a high note.

Calhoun, Stocco and Williams all enjoyed big games as No. 21 Wisconsin posted a 24-10 upset of No. 7 Auburn in the Capital One Bowl.

In what was Alvarez's final game as coach before heading into retirement, the Badgers (10-3) controlled the contest virtually the entire way en route to a win in what most experts had pegged as a mismatch.

"From the beginning I wanted our guys to know that we had a chance to win this game," Alvarez said. "It didn't make any difference what anyone said or what the line was."

Stocco threw first-half touchdown passes of 30 yards to Williams and 13 yards to Owen Daniels as the Badgers built a 17-0 lead. He completed 15-of-27 passes for 300 yards without a turnover.

"Coach Alvarez is a classy guy and it's something that he just never talked about," Stocco said. "He wanted us to stay focused on the game plan and our opponents. But it's something all the players were aware of and we wanted to play well and thank him for everything he has done for us."

The speedy Calhoun was dominant, rushing for 215 yards on 30 attempts, including a 33-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter that opened a 24-10 lead. Calhoun had runs of 60, 27 and 27 yards to set up the Badgers' other three scores.

Williams finished with six catches for 172 yards. He added 35 yards rushing.

Behind Stocco, Calhoun and Williams, Alvarez won his eighth bowl game in 16 seasons at the school that he helped become an upper-echelon team in the Big Ten Conference. Wisconsin was 1-5 in bowls before Alvarez's arrival.

"You can talk about buildings, you can talk about bowls, but I guess I'm most proud that we brought pride back to our program," Alvarez said. "One of the things I kept hearing when I took the job is, `Don't embarrass us,' and I think we accomplished that. We brought pride back to the program, to our state and alumni, I'm proud of that."

Alvarez, who will remain at the school as athletic director, is being replaced on the sidelines by defensive coordinator Bret Bielema.

It was a disappointing end to the season for Auburn (9-3), which came into the contest with plenty of momentum after going 7-1 in the rugged Southeastern Conference.

"You gotta give it to Barry," Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. "His last game and he goes out on top. It's probably only fitting. I've told people, `He's going to be in the College Football Hall of Fame.' He's done a great job at Wisconsin."

Entering with an 0-6-1 mark against SEC teams since beating Alabama in 1928, Wisconsin used its physical style to push around Auburn in the first half, when it rolled 311 of its 548 total yards. The Tigers came into the game ranked ninth in the nation defensively, allowing less than 300 yards per game.

The Tigers, who also came in with the SEC's top offense, failed to get going until the third quarter when the deficit was too large to overcome.

John Vaughn kicked a 19-yard field goal on the Tigers' first possession of the second half, cutting the deficit to 17-3.

Brandon Cox then capped a 14-play, 56-yard drive 11 seconds into the fourth quarter by finding Courtney Taylor for a nine-yard TD to pull the Tigers within 17-10.

Cox went 15-of-33 for 137 yards and an interception. Kenny Irons led the Tigers in rushing by gaining 88 yards on 22 carries.

But the Badgers responded on their ensuing drive as Calhoun sprinted for a 33-yard touchdown run with 13:22 left.

Calhoun drew praise from Alvarez.

"We've had three MVPs in the Rose Bowl and they all have been running backs," Alvarez said. "When we win big games, our running backs play well. This one happens to be the most talented one we have had. He's the most versatile one we've had. We've had great ones and we've had Heisman Trophy winners but he's the best one we've had. That's not to take anything away from Ron Dayne, Brett Moss or any of those guys. The guy is special and I think he showed that today."

"It's flattering, but again, I can't take all the credit," Calhoun said. "The coaches have done a great job with the line and scheme. I have number seven (Stocco) back here making plays and keeping the pressure off."

Calhoun's effort was the second-best rushing total in Capital One Bowl history, behind only Fred Taylor's 234 yards for Florida in 1998.