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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Auburn cornerback Carlos Rogers got the last laugh.

Burned by wide receiver Lee Evans two series earlier, Rogers made the key defensive play that led to Ronnie Brown's go-ahead two-yard touchdown run with 3:30 remaining as Auburn posted a 28-14 victory over Wisconsin in the Music City Bowl.

The win enabled the Tigers (8-5) to cap a turbulent season that began with national championship aspirations on a high note.

"The best way to get a positive light on our university after what we've been through was to get this win," said Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville, who signed a one-year contract extension after school officials secretly met with Louisville's Bobby Petrino about a possible coaching change. "It was an excellent performance from our defensive front and our linebackers."

With 8:52 left in the fourth quarter, Evans jumped over Rogers' back in the end zone for spectacular 12-yard TD pass. Jim Sorgi then hit Owen Daniels for the conversion pass that tied the contest, 14-14.

The TD appeared to spark the Badgers, who forced a three-and-out, but on Wisconsin's ensuing possession, Rogers deflected a deep pass intended for Evans into the hands of safety Will Herring for an easy interception.

"I knew I had help, so I just tried to get a tip on the ball," Rogers said. "That was a big turning point in the game for us."

The Tigers (8-5) needed just 76 seconds to drive 87 yards for the winning score as Jason Campbell set up Brown's short TD run with completions of 51 yards to Jeris McIntyre and 28 yards to Silas Daniels.

Linebacker Karlos Dansby delivered the knockout punch on the next series, sacking Sorgi, who fumbled at the one-yard line. Carnell Williams, who ran for 68 yards on 18 attempts, scored his second TD on the next play to give Auburn a 28-14 cushion with 1:37 remaining.

Brown also scored twice for the Tigers, whose defense overpowered Wisconsin, holding the Badgers to 58 yards rushing and 203 overall. End Reggie Torbor led that effort with seven tackles and 3 1/2 sacks.

"This is a very important game for us as a team, especially our coaches," said Campbell, who completed 10-of-22 passes for 138 yards and rushed for 67 yards on nine carries. "We've been through a lot the last month or so and the coaches reacted well."

The Badgers (7-6) dropped to 7-2 in bowl play under Barry Alvarez, who was denied his 100th victory at Wisconsin.

"We've been fortunate that we've won a lot of these (bowl games)," Alvarez said. "Nobody likes to lose a game but we have a lot of guys coming back, so we have to learn from the loss."

Williams' one-yard drive over the top capped a 16-play, 80-yard march that gave the Tigers a 14-6 lead with 1:32 left in the third period.