Tag: Badgers

Minnesota retains Paul Bunyan’s Axe in the snow against Wisconsin

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Darius Taylor had 19 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown as Minnesota held on for a 17-7 win over Wisconsin in a Big Ten matchup Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.

Drake Lindsey completed 18 of 24 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown on a snow-covered field for Minnesota (7-5, 5-4). Jameson Geers had a touchdown reception.

Hunter Simmons completed 12 of 19 passes for 162 yards but threw two interceptions for Wisconsin (4-8, 2-7). Vinny Anthony II caught four passes for 92 yards to lead all receivers.

Minnesota beat its border rival for the fourth time in the past five seasons. The Golden Gophers gathered on the field to lift Paul Bunyan’s Axe, the ceremonial trophy that goes to the winner of the game each season.

After a scoreless first quarter, Minnesota grabbed a 3-0 lead with 6:32 to go in the first half when Brady Denaburg made a 33-yard field goal.

Minnesota increased its lead to 10-0 with 2:45 left in the half. Taylor found an opening to his right and broke free for a 49-yard rushing touchdown.

The play marked Taylor’s 20th career touchdown with Minnesota, including his 18th on the ground. The standout junior rushed for a touchdown for the second game in a row.

Wisconsin cut the deficit to 10-7 with 27 seconds remaining before halftime. Carter Smith tossed a pass to the right sideline for Jackson Acker, who tapped his toes just inside the edge of the end zone for the 1-yard touchdown reception.

The Golden Gophers moved ahead 17-7 with 5:04 to go in the third quarter. After John Nestor picked off a Simmons pass and returned it 68 yards into the red zone, Lindsey lobbed a pass over the middle to Geers for the 13-yard touchdown.

Geers celebrated by making a snow angel in the back of the end zone.

Neither team moved the ball easily in tough weather conditions. Wisconsin finished with a 268-218 advantage in total yards, but the Badgers committed three turnovers while Minnesota committed none.

–Field Level Media

Wisconsin AD: Luke Fickell to return as coach in 2026

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Despite a dreadful 2025 season featuring a six-game losing streak, Wisconsin will stick with coach Luke Fickell for next season, the university’s athletic director revealed Thursday.

Chris McIntosh gave an interview to ESPN before the school released a statement to several news outlets confirming the Badgers are behind Fickell.

“Luke Fickell is Wisconsin’s Head Football Coach, and he will continue to be beyond this season,” McIntosh’s statement said. “We all recognize that we have fallen short of expectations. I am disappointed and frustrated with how our season has gone, just like our players, coaches and fans.

“We have evaluated every aspect of the program, and we’re prepared to execute a plan that brings us back to meeting our goals, standards, and expectations. Chancellor (Jennifer) Mnookin and I are aligned on that plan and are committed to having Wisconsin Football compete at the highest level. We will get this right and will not shy away from making any necessary changes.”

The declaration comes two weeks after McIntosh said in a letter to football season ticket-holders that Wisconsin was preparing to elevate its financial investment in the sport.

Fickell is in his third full season at Wisconsin after gaining prominence at Cincinnati, where he helped the Bearcats become the first Group of Five team to make the College Football Playoff in 2021. Fickell’s record was 57-18 at Cincinnati but he has gone just 15-19 at Wisconsin.

The Badgers (2-6, 0-5 Big Ten) are on the verge of two straight losing seasons for the first time since 1991-92. They still have to play No. 23 Washington this Saturday and are at No. 2 Indiana the week after.

The buyout in Fickell’s contract would have cost more than $25 million had he been fired after this season. And Wisconsin would have entered a crowded coaching carousel where Penn State, LSU, Florida, Arkansas, Auburn, UCLA and others will be vying for new head coaches.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) makes a catch for a touchdown against Wisconsin Badgers safety Austin Brown (9) in the first quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

No. 1 Ohio State jumps out early, blanks Wisconsin

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Julian Sayin passed for 394 yards and four touchdowns to lead top-ranked Ohio State to a 34-0 rout of Wisconsin in a Big Ten matchup Saturday in Madison, Wis.

Sayin completed 14 of 15 passes for 169 yards in the first quarter when the Buckeyes jumped out to a 17-0 lead. He finished with 36 completions in 42 attempts.

Ohio State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) has won 11 straight vs. Wisconsin, whose last victory in the series was a 31-18 win at home in 2010 over the then-No. 1-ranked Buckeyes.

Wisconsin (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten) has lost five straight after wins over Miami (Ohio) and Middle Tennessee State. The Badgers, who have not scored in 11 quarters, have tallied just 34 points in those five losses.

Ohio State, which entered No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense at 6.8 points per game, took control early, scoring on all three first-quarter possessions.

The Buckeyes forced a three-and-out on Wisconsin’s opening series, then drove 89 yards in nine plays, capped by a 33-yard touchdown pass from Sayin to Carnell Tate. Sayin completed 8 of 8 passes on the drive for 95 yards.

Sonny Styles picked off a Hunter Simmons pass on the Badgers next series, but the Buckeyes settled for Jayden Fielding’s 38-yard field goal.

Wisconsin again went three-and-out and Ohio State went 70 yards in six plays, with Sayin again connecting with Tate from 10 yards out.

Fielding missed a 38-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter, but connected from 37 yards midway through the third quarter to put Ohio State in front 20-0.

The Buckeyes pushed the lead to 27-0 with a 13-play, 83-yard drive late in the third quarter, capped by Sayin’s 2-yard toss to tight end Will Kacmarek, who was wide open in the middle of the end zone. Sayin kept the drive alive with a quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 on the Ohio State 26.

Tate had six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith had nine catches for 97 yards.

Ohio State outgained Wisconsin 491-144.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Justice Haynes (22) rushes in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Justice Haynes runs wild as No. 20 Michigan beats Wisconsin

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Justice Haynes rushed for 117 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns as Michigan downed Wisconsin 24-10 in Ann Arbor on Saturday afternoon.

The Alabama transfer has reached 100 yards in each of the first five games for the No. 20 Wolverines (4-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten). Bryce Underwood completed 19 of 28 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown, while Donaven McCulley made six receptions for 112 yards and a score.

Dilin Jones rushed for 63 yards and the Badgers’ lone touchdown. Hunter Simmons completed 18 of 29 passes for 177 yards, with Vinny Anthony II making nine receptions for 97 yards.

The Wolverines emerged with a 10-7 halftime advantage.

Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2) drove 75 yards after the opening kickoff to take the lead. Jones finished it off with a 5-yard run.

Michigan only needed six plays to tie the score. Haynes burst through the middle for a 43-yard gain to eventually set up his 1-yard touchdown.

The defenses then clamped down as both punters got plenty of action the remainder of the half. The Wolverines took a 10-7 lead with 5:43 left in the second quarter on Dominic Zvada’s 32-yard field goal.

Michigan controlled the ball for nearly six minutes after the second-half kickoff but came up empty as Zvada missed a 27-yard attempt.

The Wolverines extended their lead to 17-7 with 4:11 remaining in the third. Underwood hooked up with McCulley on a 33-yard pass, and two plays later, the duo connected for 29 yards and a touchdown.

Rod Moore intercepted a Simmons pass deep in Michigan territory later in the quarter. The Wolverines drove as far as the Badgers’ 28 but wound up turning the ball over on downs.

A 61-yard drive, which ended with 9:24 remaining on a Haynes 1-yard touchdown run, gave Michigan a 24-7 lead. A 25-yard pass from Underwood to McCulley was the big play on that drive.

The Badgers drove all the way to Michigan’s 5-yard line during their ensuing possession. Derrick Moore’s sack of Simmons forced them to settle for Nathanial Vakos’ 39-yard field goal.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Kaleb Webb (84) celebrates after earning a first down during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Billy Edwards Jr. leaves early as Wisconsin falters in loss to Maryland

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Billy Edwards Jr.’s return to action against his former team, Maryland, lasted just seven plays as his replacement, Malik Washington, ushered the Terrapins to a 27-10 victory over Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, in both teams’ Big Ten opener.

Washington paced Maryland’s (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) scoring attack in his first career road game, accounting for all three Terps touchdowns. The true freshman finished his day going 18-for-34 with 265 yards and two passing touchdowns, as well as one on the ground.

He delivered the game-ending strike on a 62-yard bomb to Shaleak Knotts, who dusted the entire Badgers defense with 9:03 left in the fourth quarter.

Edwards Jr., who appeared in 26 games for the Terrapins, helped lead Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) on a promising opening drive that went all the way to the Maryland 21-yard line.

It all went downhill for the Badgers afterward. The Terps blocked Wisconsin’s 38-yard field-goal attempt, then Edwards Jr., who missed the previous two games due to injury, would get injured once again on Wisconsin’s very next play. He did not return.

The Badgers followed this up with an interception, five punts and a turnover on downs to end the half scoreless.

Terps defensive back Jalen Huskey returned the Wisconsin interception all the way to the Badgers’ 4-yard line. Washington then punched it in from the 1-yard line with 6:22 left in the first quarter to open the scoring for the day.

Badgers backup Danny O’Neil finished the game 14-for-22 with 120 yards and an interception. The Terps sacked him six times and held the Badgers to under 300 total yards.

After blocking a Badgers punt, Washington and Knotts connected for the first time on the day for a 9-yard score to go up 14-0 with 13:47 left in the half.

The Terps ended the half with a pair of field goals from Sean O’Haire, a 49-yarder and a 26-yarder, to go up 20-0.

Wisconsin moved the ball better in the second half. O’Neil led the Badgers to a field goal on their opening drive of the half, a 33-yarder by Nathanial Vakos to make it 20-3.

Maryland started the second half with three straight three-and-outs before Washington capped a 99-yard drive with the deep shot to Knotts.

Wisconsin finally got in the end zone late as Hunter Simmons came in for O’Neil and found Lance Mason from 13 yards out with 28 seconds left in the game.

This was Maryland’s first-ever victory over Wisconsin.

–Field Level Media

Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9), who transferred in from Maryland in the offseason, is tended to after being injured during the second quarter of their game against Miami (Ohio) Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

‘Great barometer’ awaits Badgers and Terps in Big Ten opener

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The visiting Maryland Terps should provide the most accurate assessment yet for the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday in the Big Ten Conference opener for each team.

In its first real test, Wisconsin (2-1) was hammered 38-14 in a mistake-plagued loss Saturday at No. 14 Alabama after opening with home victories over Miami (Ohio) and Middle Tennessee State.

It’s fair to suggest Maryland (3-0) gets its first real test this week. The Terps, playing on the road for the first time, are coming off wins over Towson, Florida Atlantic and Northern Illinois by a combined 103-33 score.

“This will be a great barometer for what kind of team we have and what type of team we can be,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said Tuesday.

Wisconsin held Alabama to just 72 yards rushing on 22 attempts, but Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson shredded the secondary for 382 yards and four touchdowns.

The main question for the Badgers is the status of starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., out since suffering a sprained knee in the season opener. Edwards passed for 2,281 yards with 15 touchdowns last season at Maryland before transferring.

“Billy is just going to be day-to-day,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said. “At some point we’re going to have to save Billy from Billy, but we’ve also got to make some decisions and move along during the week. Right now, we wouldn’t know.”

Reserve quarterback Danny O’Neil completed 11 of 17 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions versus Alabama. Wisconsin ran for just 92 yards on 34 attempts, an anemic 2.7 per carry.

The Badgers rank fifth in the nation in rushing defense at 46.3 yards per game, but they give up 224.3 yards per game through the air. The Badgers average 332.7 yards of total offense. Winless UCLA, which fired its coach this week, is the only Big Ten team that averages fewer.

When Edwards transferred to Wisconsin, that cleared the way for freshman Malik Washington to earn Maryland’s job. Washington completed 16 of 22 passes for 261 yards with one touchdown and one interception against Towson. He has completed 62 percent of his throws through three games for 773 yards, six scores and one pick.

La’khi Roland had a 100-yard interception return that put the Terps up 41-0 early in the third quarter against the overmatched Tigers.

The Terps average 382.7 yards per game while allowing 302. Maryland is 11-of-14 in red zone conversions, which includes five touchdowns.

Wisconsin has won all four meetings with Maryland, including a 23-10 win three years ago in Madison.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) throws against UL Monroe behind a block by Alabama offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark (56) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Streaky Ty Simpson, No. 19 Alabama host 2-0 Wisconsin

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Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson found his footing with a perfect throwing performance in Week 2.

Now Simpson and the No. 19 Crimson Tide aim to build off the biggest shutout win in school history when Alabama faces Wisconsin in nonconference play on Saturday afternoon at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Simpson completed all 17 of his passes and set a school record for consecutive completions to start a game as the Crimson Tide routed UL Monroe 73-0 last weekend. His performance leaves him two shy of the longest streak in program history: Mac Jones’ 19 straight completions in 2020 that began with eight to close out against Georgia and finished by hitting his first 11 passes versus Tennessee.

Simpson passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns against UL Monroe as Alabama (1-1) bettered a 66-0 victory over Cal in 1973 for largest shutout margin.

New Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was beaming over Simpson’s performance.

“I thought he was extremely decisive,” Grubb told reporters. “He was very dialed on his reads. He didn’t pass up open players. I thought he played great. I thought he was really, really into the game plan all week and I was really hopeful that he was gonna play very, very well.”

The Crimson Tide outgained the Warhawks 583-148 in the follow-up to a disappointing 31-17 loss to Florida State in Week 1.

Alabama star receiver Ryan Williams is still working his way through concussion protocol and his availability remains uncertain. He was injured in the fourth quarter of the Florida State game and sat out against UL Monroe.

Top running back Jam Miller (collarbone) missed both games, but he’s making a push to return against the Badgers.

“You can see that with Jam. He’s champing at the bit,” said Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer. “We’ve just got to make sure we’re making a smart decision. That will be left up to our training staff and our doctors and also how Jam feels. He’s making a lot of progress.”

Alabama clobbered Wisconsin 42-10 last season in Madison in the first of the two-game series.

The Badgers (2-0) have played two light foes this season, beating Miami (Ohio) 17-0 and routing Middle Tennessee 42-10 last week.

San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neill completed 23 of 27 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Middle Tennessee while starting in place of injured quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.

Edwards sustained a sprained left knee in the victory over Miami (Ohio).

“I don’t know a whole lot,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said of Edwards’ status. “We’ll see as we continue to push forward in the week, but we’ll get obviously prepared either way.”

The Badgers will need a better defensive showing this time around as they struggled against former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe last season.

While the competition hasn’t been heavy, the defensive numbers are stellar through two games. Wisconsin ranks third nationally in total defense (169.0 yards per game) and tied for sixth in scoring defense (5.0 points per game). Standout safety Preston Zachman has a team-leading two interceptions.

Fickell maintains the Badgers are vastly improved from the squad that went 5-7 last season and ended the school’s bowl appearances streak at 22.

“I think we’re in a better place at every position,” Fickell said. “The depth of the offensive line is the one spot that continues to be an issue or stands out a little bit to you, but as a whole and as a team, I think where we are and the things that we’re doing, I think that’s where everything’s got to start.”

Wisconsin will be attempting to halt Alabama’s 13-game home winning streak.

–Field Level Media

Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) walks to the locker room after being injured during the second quarter of their game against Miami (Ohio) Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Reports: Injured Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards Jr. expected back soon

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Wisconsin starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. is expected to be recovered from a leg injury in 1-2 weeks, a timeline that indicates he will be available to play against Alabama.

According to multiple reports on Friday, Edwards avoided a major leg injury when he was forced out of his debut Thursday night in a game the Badgers went on to win 17-0 over Miami (Ohio) in Madison, Wis.

Edwards, who passed for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns last season as the starter at Maryland, completed 6 of 13 passes for 68 yards before the injury.

Multiple trainers tended to Edwards while he was seated on the turf in the second quarter. He eventually walked to the locker room under his own power but didn’t return to the game.

Sophomore Danny O’Neil, a transfer from San Diego State, replaced Edwards. He completed 12 of 19 passes with one touchdown and an interception. He was sacked three times but rushed for 13 yards and a touchdown.

Wisconsin hosts Middle Tennessee on Sept. 6, then visits No. 8 Alabama on Sept. 13 in a marquee nonconference game before facing Edwards’ former team Sept. 20 in Madison.

–Field Level Media

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Xavier Lucas’ attorney denies alleged meeting with Miami amid Wisconsin lawsuit

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The attorney for the player at the center of a first-of-its-kind transfer tampering lawsuit by the University of Wisconsin denied the allegations of a December meeting between the player and representatives of the University of Miami, On3 reported Saturday.

“Wisconsin’s allegations that my client, Xavier Lucas, met with a Miami coach and prominent alumnus in December 2024 are false,” said Lucas’ attorney Darren Heitner, per On3.

The University of Wisconsin sued the University of Miami on Friday, formally accusing the Florida school of tampering with a football player under a financial contract with the Badgers.

Though Wisconsin’s lawsuit only refers to the player as Student Athlete A, the subject of the case is cornerback Lucas, who left Wisconsin and enrolled at Miami over the winter without ever entering the transfer portal.

It was reported at the time that Wisconsin refused to put Lucas’ name in the transfer portal. Lucas signed a two-year contract with the Badgers in December 2024 — a deal that gave the football program non-exclusive rights to use his NIL but also prohibited him from committing to enroll or participate in athletics at another school.

Lucas enrolled at Miami in January.

Wisconsin’s lawsuit alleges that a Miami staffer and a prominent alumnus of the school met with Lucas and his family and offered him money to transfer in December of 2024, which Heitner — who is an adjunct professor of NIL at the University of Miami School of Law — denied Saturday.

The decision to sue could become a watershed moment in the current era of college athletics. Never before has a university accused another of tampering with one of its athletes, who did not have contracts before the dawn of name, image and likeness rights this decade.

“While we reluctantly bring this case, we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field,” the University of Wisconsin said in a statement provided to ESPN on Friday.

–Field Level Media

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin sues Miami over transfer tampering in a legal first

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The University of Wisconsin sued the University of Miami on Friday, formally accusing the Florida school of tampering with a football player under a financial contract with the Badgers.

The decision to sue could become a watershed moment in the current era of college athletics. Never before has a university accused another of tampering with one of its athletes, who did not have contracts before the dawn of name, image and likeness rights this decade.

“While we reluctantly bring this case, we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field,” the school said in a statement provided to ESPN on Friday.

Though Wisconsin’s lawsuit only refers to the player as Student Athlete A, the subject of the case is cornerback Xavier Lucas, who left Wisconsin and enrolled at Miami over the winter without ever entering the transfer portal.

It was reported at the time that Wisconsin refused to put Lucas’ name in the transfer portal. Lucas signed a two-year contract with the Badgers in December 2024 — a deal that gave the football program nonexclusive rights to use his NIL but also prohibited him from committing to enroll or participate in athletics at another school.

Lucas enrolled at Miami in January.

Wisconsin’s lawsuit alleges that a Miami staffer and a prominent alumnus of the school met with Lucas and his family and offered him money to transfer.

–Field Level Media