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Wisconsin Badgers football

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Wisconsin Badgers football
2024 Wisconsin Badgers football team
First season1889; 135 years ago
Athletic directorChris McIntosh
Head coachLuke Fickell
2nd season, 10–7 (.588)
StadiumCamp Randall Stadium
(capacity: 80,321)
Field surfaceField Turf
LocationMadison, Wisconsin
NCAA divisionDivision I FBS
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
All-time record744–519–53 (.585)
Bowl record19–16 (.543)
Unclaimed national titles1 (1942)
Conference titles14 (1896, 1897, 1901, 1906, 1912, 1952, 1959, 1962, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Division titles5 (2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019)
RivalriesIowa (rivalry)
Minnesota (rivalry)
Heisman winnersAlan Ameche – 1954
Ron Dayne – 1999
Consensus All-Americans32
Current uniform
ColorsCardinal and white[1]
   
Fight songOn, Wisconsin!
MascotBucky Badger
Marching bandUniversity of Wisconsin Marching Band
OutfitterUnder Armour
WebsiteOfficial website

The Wisconsin Badgers football program represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the sport of American football. Wisconsin competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Big Ten Conference (Big Ten). The Badgers have competed in the Big Ten since its formation in 1896. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football. Wisconsin is one of 26 College football programs to win 700 or more games. The program has been one of the most successful since the 1990s. Wisconsin has had two Heisman Trophy winners, Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne, and has had twelve former players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

History

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See also: List of Wisconsin Badgers football seasons

Team name origin

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The team's nickname originates in the early history of Wisconsin. In the 1820s and 1830s, prospectors came to the state looking for minerals, primarily lead. Without shelter in the winter, the miners had to "live like badgers" in tunnels burrowed into hillsides.[2]

The early years (1889–1912)

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Pat "Kangaroo Kicker" O'Dea, here as captain of the 1898–99 team
The 1903 team

The first Badger football team took the field in 1889, losing the only two games it played that season. In 1890, Wisconsin earned its first victory with a 106–0 drubbing of Whitewater Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater), still the most lopsided win in school history. However, the very next week the Badgers suffered what remains their most lopsided defeat, a humiliating 63–0 loss at the hands of the University of Minnesota. Since then, the Badgers and Gophers have met 127 times, making Wisconsin vs Minnesota the most-played rivalry in the Football Bowl Subdivision.[3]

Upon the formation of the Big Ten conference in 1896, Wisconsin became the first-ever conference champion with a 7–1–1 record. Over the next ten years, the Badgers won or shared the conference title three more times (1897, 1901, and 1906), and recorded their first undefeated season, going 9–0–0 (1901). With the exception of their second undefeated season in 1912, in which they won their fifth Big Ten title.

Moderate successes (1913–1941)

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The 1912 season would be their last conference title until 1952. The team posted mostly winning seasons over the next several seasons however.

The climb back to dominance (1942–1962)

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1954 Heisman Trophy winner, FB Alan Ameche

1942 was an important year for Wisconsin football. On October 24, the No. 6 ranked Badgers defeated the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall, catapulting Wisconsin to the No. 2 spot in the AP poll. Unfortunately for the Badgers, their national championship hopes were dashed in a 6–0 defeat by the Iowa Hawkeyes the following week. Nevertheless, Wisconsin won the remainder of its games, finishing the season 8–1–1 and No. 3 in the AP, while garnering the Helms Athletic Foundation vote for National Champion, giving the program its only National Championship to date (the AP National Champions were the Ohio State Buckeyes, whom Wisconsin beat during the season). Afterwards, the Badgers struggled to regain their momentum, with their efforts hampered by many of their star players leaving as a result of World War II. In the late 1940s, fans began insisting that head coach Harry Stuhldreher resign, many times chanting "Goodbye Harry", especially during 1948, where the Badgers finished 2–7. Stuhldreher stepped down as head coach, while keeping his duties as athletic director. Stuhldreher then named Ivy Williamson as head coach

The Badgers experienced great success during the 1950s under Williamson, finishing in the AP Top 25 eight times that decade. In one stretch, from 1950 to 1954, the Badgers went 26-8-3. The Badgers' success during those seasons was defined by a stout defense, dubbed "The Hard Rocks", which usually finished in the top 5 of the nation in overall defense, including leading the nation in 1951. In 1952, the team received its first No. 1 ranking by the Associated Press. That season, the Badgers again claimed the Big Ten title and earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl. There they were defeated 7–0 by the Southern California, and would finish the season ranked No. 11 in the AP. In 1954 after a 7–2 season, Wisconsin's Alan Ameche became the first Badger to win the Heisman Trophy. Ivy Williamson stepped down as head coach in 1955 to become athletic director, and was replaced by his former assistant coach, Milt Bruhn. Bruhn would continue Wisconsin's success, after an initial setback with a 1-5-3 record in 1956. Wisconsin returned to the Rose Bowl as Big Ten Champions in 1959, but fell to the Washington Huskies, 44–8.

Wisconsin QB Ron Vander Kelen attempting a pass in the 1963 Rose Bowl, the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 match-up in a bowl game

Continuing under the direction of Bruhn in 1962, the Badgers had another landmark season, spearheaded by the passing combination of Ron Vander Kelen to All-American Pat Richter. The Badgers standout victory was an upset of No. 1-ranked Northwestern, who were coached then by the legendary Ara Parseghian. The Badgers finished 8–1, earned their eighth Big Ten title, and faced the top-ranked USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl. Despite a narrow 42–37 defeat, the Badgers still ended the season ranked No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches polls (post-bowl rankings were not introduced until later in the decade).

Limited successes (1963–1989)

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Following the successful 1962 campaign, Wisconsin football scuffled, and Milt Bruhn resigned in 1966 after three straight losing seasons. Wisconsin chose former assistant coach John Coatta as Bruhn's replacement. The Badgers finished even worse under Coatta, going winless for 23 straight games from 1967 to 1969, and winning only 3 games overall during Coatta's short reign, each of the wins occurring during the 1969 season. What stung even worse for Badger fans during the three season, was the coach that Wisconsin supposedly turned down for the head coaching role, Bo Schembechler, who would become a coaching legend at Michigan.

In 1970, new athletic director Elroy Hirsch named John Jardine as head coach. While the Badgers weren't a consistent winner under Jardine, the program regained stability, and also brought excitement in running backs Rufus "Roadrunner" Ferguson and Billy Marek. The Badgers went 37-47-3 under Jardine, who stepped down in 1977.

After more subpar seasons from 1978 to 1980, the team had a string of seven-win seasons from 1981 to 1984 under Dave McClain. During that time the Badgers played in the Garden State Bowl (1981), Independence Bowl (1982), and Hall of Fame Classic Bowl (1984). McClain's death during spring practice in 1986 sent the Badgers into free fall. From 1986 to 1990 with interim coach Jim Hilles and then Don Morton, the Badgers won a total of nine games.

Barry Alvarez era, "From Red Ink to Roses" (1990–2005)

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1999 Heisman Trophy winner, RB Ron Dayne

By the end of the 1989 season, the Wisconsin football program was in disarray, shouldering a debt of over $2 million and with only 30,000 fans attending games at the 77,000-capacity stadium. New athletic director Pat Richter named Barry Alvarez, the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, as the new head coach. To bring stability and interest to the program again, Alvarez targeted the top high school players in Wisconsin, "building a wall" around the state, and also encouraged players not recruited to join the program as walk-ons. Though Alvarez won his first game as head coach over Ball State, the Badgers finished 1–10 in 1990. The Badgers finished 5–6 in the next two seasons, but there were encouraging signs for the future. Wisconsin was in bowl contention on the last day of the 1992 season, but a narrow loss to Northwestern kept them from going to a bowl.

Everything finally came together for the Badgers in 1993. They steamrolled through the season, finishing 10-1-1, winning their first Big Ten championship since 1962 and beating UCLA 21–16 to claim their first Rose Bowl victory.

After the surprise success of 1993, the Badgers fell back into mediocrity, though remaining competitive, going 2–1 in bowl games from 1994 to 1997, with victories in the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1994, and the Copper Bowl in 1996. Alvarez retooled the team with a new batch of talented recruits during this stretch of seasons, and they came to full fruition in 1998 and 1999. Among the standouts were cornerback Jamar Fletcher, wide receiver Chris Chambers, quarterback Brooks Bollinger, offensive linemen Aaron Gibson, Chris McIntosh, and Mark Tauscher, and running back Ron Dayne. With "The Great Dayne" leading the way, the Badgers won back-to-back Big Ten championships and back-to-back Rose Bowls over UCLA in 1999 and Stanford in 2000. The 1998 team won a school-record 11 games, while the 1999 team won its first outright Big Ten title since 1962. Ron Dayne set a new NCAA record for career rushing yardage, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1999.

Coach Barry Alvarez in 2014

In 2000, there were hopes of the Badgers winning their third consecutive Big Ten championship and an unprecedented three straight Rose Bowls. However early in the season, Wisconsin's football and basketball programs were hit with "The Shoe Box scandal", when a local shoe store gave university athletes discounts on footwear. Wisconsin athletic programs were put on five years of probation and several players were suspended by the NCAA. The Badgers finished 9–4, with a victory over UCLA in the Sun Bowl.

Due to the loss of scholarships as a result of the NCAA investigation, the Badgers struggled through the 2001–2003 seasons, never finishing higher than seventh in the Big Ten. The Badgers returned to the top 20 in the AP polls in 2004 and 2005, with a victory in the Capitol One Bowl in 2005. In 2004, Alvarez was named athletic director, replacing the retiring Pat Richter. The strain of holding both roles became too much for Alvarez, and he stepped down as head coach after the 2005 season.

Alvarez coached the Badgers for 16 seasons, finishing with a 118-73-4 record, three times finishing in the Top 10 in the AP polls, and the only Big Ten head coach to win back-to-back Rose Bowls.

Bret Bielema era (2006–2012)

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Following the 2005 season, Alvarez resigned as head coach in order to focus on his duties as athletic director, a position he had assumed in 2004. He named his defensive coordinator, Bret Bielema, as his successor. Wisconsin's 2006 team went 12-1 and won the Capital One Bowl over Arkansas 17–14. Wisconsin finished the season ranked 5th in coaches poll and 7th in the AP Poll. From 2006 to 2011, Bielema led the Badgers to six consecutive bowl appearances, going 2–4. In 2010, the Badgers won a share of the Big Ten Championship and returned to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2000. There they were defeated 21–19 by the No. 3 ranked TCU Horned Frogs. In 2011, the Badgers were once again crowned Big Ten Champs when they defeated Michigan State in the first-ever conference championship game. The victory sent Wisconsin back to the Rose Bowl for a second consecutive year, where they were defeated by the Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks, 45–38.

The 2012 season ended with the Badgers winning a third consecutive Big Ten title. Despite finishing with a 7–5 record and third in the Leaders Division, the Badgers advanced to the Big Ten Championship game by virtue of the fact that Penn State and Ohio State were ineligible for postseason play. A dominating rushing performance led Wisconsin to a 70–31 victory over No. 12 ranked Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship game. Only days later, Bret Bielema resigned to become the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Gary Andersen, formerly coach of Utah State University, was named head coach on December 19, 2012. At the request of the team captains, Barry Alvarez named himself interim coach for the 2013 Rose Bowl, where the Badgers lost, 20–14 to Stanford.[4] Bret Bielema finished his coaching career at Wisconsin with a 68–24 record a 74 percent winning percentage 3 top 10 finishes 6 top 25 finishes 3 Big ten titles and 7 straight winning seasons won ten or more games 4 out of 7 years.

Gary Andersen era (2013–2014)

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Gary Andersen was hired in December 2012 after Bret Bielema resigned to become the head coach for the University of Arkansas. Andersen was previously the head coach for Utah State where he went 26–23 in his four years at Utah State with his last season being 11-2 and finishing first in the Western Athletic Conference. Andersen's first win as the Badgers coach was a 45–0 win against Massachusetts. His first Big Ten football victory was a 41–10 victory over Purdue. The Badgers ended 2013 with a 9–4 record after losing to No. 8 South Carolina Gamecocks in the Capital One Bowl.

The Badgers started out the 2014 season ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll and their season opener was against No. 13 LSU Tigers in Houston, after leading the Tigers through three quarters the Tigers came back from a 24–7 deficit to defeat the Badgers 28–24.[5] The Badgers recorded their first road shutout since 1998 in a 37–0 victory over the Big Ten newcomers Rutgers Scarlet Knights.[6] On November 15, junior running back Melvin Gordon broke the all-time FBS single-game rushing yards record with 408 yards in a 59–24 victory against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.[7] However that record only lasted a week as Samaje Perine from Oklahoma rushed for 427 yards the very next week. The 2014 regular season ended with the Badgers taking 1st place in the West Division with a 10–2 record. Wisconsin played Ohio State for the conference title in the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game where the Badgers lost to Ohio State 59–0. It was the first time since 1997 that the Badgers were shutout and the worst loss since 1979 when Ohio State defeated the Badgers 59–0.[8]

Andersen departed Wisconsin four days later, taking the vacant head coaching position at Oregon State.[9] Andersen cited family as his rationale for taking the Oregon State position; however, it was reported by some media outlets, such as Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated, that Andersen was frustrated with the university's high academic standards for athletes.[10][11] Those reports turned out to be accurate, and were confirmed by Andersen in January 2015.[12] Andersen had to pay a $3 million buyout for departing within the first two years of his contract, which was set through January 2019.[13] At the request of the teams' seniors, Barry Alvarez named himself interim coach for the 2015 Outback Bowl vs. Auburn on January 1, 2015.[14] Wisconsin won the game 34–31 in overtime.[15] Gary Andersen finished his coaching career at Wisconsin with a 19–7 record a 73 percent winning percentage with one Big Ten west division title.

Paul Chryst Era (2015–2022)

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After the departure of Gary Andersen, former Badgers offensive coordinator (2005-2011) and Pitt head coach (2012-2014) Paul Chryst, was hired as the next head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. The only assistant coach to remain on the coaching staff after Andersen's departure was defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Chryst brought over six coaching staff from the University of Pittsburgh, Joe Rudolph (OC), John Settle (RB coach), Inoke Breckterfield (D-line), Chris Haering (special teams), Mickey Turner (TE coach) and Ross Kolodziej (strength and conditioning). From 2005 to 2011 Rudolph (TE coach) and Settle (RB coach) were assistant coaches under Chryst (OC). Mickey Turner and Ross Kolodziej are both former Badgers players, Turner was a tight end from 2006 to 2009 and Kolodziej was a defensive tackle from 1997 to 2000.[16]

In Chryst's first season the Badgers went 10–3, finished the season ranked 20th in the nation, and finished 1st nationally in scoring defense (13.7 points per game) and 2nd in total defense (268.5 yards per game). All three losses came to teams that were in the AP top 25 at the end of the season, eventual national champions No. 1 Alabama, No. 9 Iowa and No. 23 Northwestern. Chryst also won the Holiday Bowl against USC, whom the Badgers had a 0–6 record against before the game, with their last meeting being the 1963 Rose Bowl. Two days after their victory over USC it was announced that the Badgers defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, would be taking the same role for the LSU Tigers, whom the Badgers opened the 2016 season against at Lambeau Field.

Aranda was replaced with Justin Wilcox, who was previously USC's defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2015, he was fired in early December 2015 after the Trojans finished 50th nationally in scoring defense (25.7 points per game) and 65th in total defense (400.8 yards per game).[17] The Badgers started 2016 on a high note by upsetting the No. 5 ranked LSU Tigers 16–14 in their season opener at Lambeau Field, the first ever major college football game in the historical stadium.[18] The Badgers stayed in the AP top 10 for most of the season, with two losses to Michigan and Ohio State. Wisconsin lost the Big 10 championship game to Penn State, then won the 2017 Cotton Bowl Classic over Western Michigan to finish 11–3, finishing the season ranked 8th in the nation. After the season, Wilcox left to take the head coaching job at Cal.

Wisconsin came into the 2017 season ranked No. 9 in the AP poll and was ranked in the top 10 all season. Undefeated during the regular season, the Badgers were ranked fourth in the nation before narrowly losing the Big 10 championship to Ohio State. Despite failing to reach the College Football Playoff, the Badgers rebounded to win the 2017 Orange Bowl over Miami to finish the season with a 13–1 record, their best record since the 2007 season. Wisconsin was ranked as high as 3rd in the nation in week 14 in the AP poll and Coaches poll and received 10 first-place votes in the AP poll and 21 first-place votes in the Coaches poll. Wisconsin finished the season ranked 6th in the nation.

There were high expectations the next season as Wisconsin came into the 2018 campaign ranked No. 4 in the AP poll. However, injuries and inexperience, alongside poor quarterback play, derailed a promising season as the Badgers finished with a 7-5 regular-season record, including a loss to Minnesota, which resulted in Wisconsin losing Paul Bunyan's Axe for the first time since the 2003 season. The Badgers finished the season with a win in a rematch against Miami in the 2018 Pinstripe Bowl to finish 8–5.

Wisconsin came into the 2019 season ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll and shut out 4 teams en route to a 10-2 finish in the regular season and won the Big Ten West, including games vs ranked Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota and were ranked No. 8 in the AP Poll going in the Big Ten Championship vs No. 1 Ohio State. Despite leading 21–7 at halftime, they ended up losing 34-21 and ended the season with a 28–27 loss vs Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Wisconsin finished the season ranked 10th in the nation.

The 2020 season was shortened and suffered setbacks as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Ten, like most conferences, decided to cancel all non-conference games and play a shortened conference-only schedule. The Badgers also suffered from coronavirus-related postponements against Nebraska, Purdue, and Minnesota. As a result, the Nebraska and Purdue games were canceled. Wisconsin struggled to a 4–3 record, losing three games in a row to ranked opponents before finishing the season with a 20–17 overtime victory over Minnesota. The Badgers were invited to the Duke's Mayo Bowl against Wake Forest and won 42–28.

In 2021, the Badgers sought to rebound from their worst season of the Chryst era. However, Wisconsin started out cold, losing three of their first four games. Chryst's squad suffered home losses to Penn State and Michigan along with a road loss to Notre Dame, all ranked opponents. However, the Badgers would recover and win their next seven games including a 27–7 victory over the then-No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes. The Badgers lost Paul Bunyan's Axe to Minnesota before beating Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl 20–13, finishing the season with a 9–4 record and a 6-3 conference record. For the first time in the Chryst era, the Badgers finished consecutive seasons unranked in the AP or CFP polls.

For the 2022 season, Wisconsin started strong with a win over Illinois State in the season opener, but after an upset loss at home to Washington State, followed by blowout losses to Ohio State and Illinois, Paul Chryst was fired on October 2, two days after former Badgers coach Bret Bielema led the Illini to their first win in Madison since 2002. Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard became the interim coach and went 4-3 overall to finish the season 6-6, keeping Wisconsin's bowl streak alive. On December 27, Wisconsin beat Oklahoma State 24–17 in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. It was their 8th bowl win in their last 9 bowl games, and it made Wisconsin finish 7-6, their 22nd straight winning season. It was initially thought that Leonhard would become the permanent replacement for Chryst, but after a loss at home to Minnesota, which was the first time the Badgers had lost consecutive games to their rival since 1993–94, it was decided that former Ohio State coordinator and University of Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell would be the next coach of the program.

Luke Fickell Era (2023–present)

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On November 27, 2022, Luke Fickell was announced as the 31st head football coach for the Wisconsin Badgers.[19][20][21]

Conference affiliations

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Championships

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National championships

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Wisconsin has one national championship from an NCAA-designated major selector for the 1942 season.[22] However, the school does not claim this championship.[23]

Season Selector Coach Record Final AP Final Coaches
1942 Helms Athletic Foundation[24] Harry Stuhldreher 8–1–1 No. 3 –

Conference championships

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Wisconsin has won 14 conference championships, eight outright and six shared.[25]

Season Conference Coach Overall record Conference record
1896 Big Ten Conference Philip King 7–1–1 2–0–1
1897 9–1 3–0
1901† 9–0 2–0
1906† Charles P. Hutchins 5–0 3–0
1912 William Juneau 7–0 5–0
1952† Ivy Williamson 6–3–1 4–1–1
1959 Milt Bruhn 7–3 5–2
1962 8–2 6–1
1993† Barry Alvarez 10–1–1 6–1–1
1998† 11–1 7–1
1999 10–2 7–1
2010† Bret Bielema 11–2 7–1
2011 11–3 6–2
2012 8–6 4–4

† Co-champions

Division championships

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Wisconsin has won 5 division championships.

Season Division Coach Opponent CG result
2011† Big Ten – Leaders Bret Bielema Michigan State W 42–39
2014 Big Ten – West Gary Andersen Ohio State L 0–59
2016 Paul Chryst Penn State L 31–38
2017 Ohio State L 21–27
2019 Ohio State L 21–34

Bowl games

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Main article: List of Wisconsin Badgers bowl games

The Badgers have appeared in 35 bowl games and have a record of 19 wins and 16 losses (19-16). Their most recent bowl game was in the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl. The Badgers have participated in a season-ending bowl game 21 consecutive seasons and snapped a four-game bowl losing streak with a 34–31 overtime victory over Auburn in the 2015 Outback Bowl.[15] They have won eight of the last ten bowl games, with Paul Chryst having won the first four bowls his team participated in and then falling one-point short in the 2020 Rose Bowl. The Badgers have participated in a season-ending bowl game 22 consecutive seasons, the third longest bowl streak in the country only behind Georgia and Oklahoma.[26]

Head coaches

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Main article: List of Wisconsin Badgers head football coaches

Luke Fickell is now Wisconsin's head coach.[19][20][21]

Coach Years Record WIn % Bowl record
Alvin Kletsch 1889 0–2 .000
Ted Mestre 1890 1–3 .250
Herb Alward 1891 3–1–1 .700
Billy Crawford 1892 5–2 .714
Parke H. Davis 1893 4–2 .667
Hiram O. Stickney 1894–1895 10–4–1 .700
Philip King 1896–1902 57–9–1 .858
Arthur Curtis 1903–1904 11–6–1 .639
Philip King 1905 8–2 .800
Charles P. Hutchins 1906–1907 8–1–1 .850
Thomas A. Barry 1908–1910 9–4–3 .656
John R. Richards 1911 5–1–1 .786
William Juneau 1912–1915 18–8–2 .679
Paul Withington 1916 4–2–1 .643
John R. Richards 1917 4–2–1 .643
Guy Lowman 1918 3–3 .500
John R. Richards 1919–1922 20–6–2 .750
John J. Ryan 1923–1924 5–6–4 .467
George Little 1925–1926 11–3–2 .750
Glenn Thistlethwaite 1927–1931 26–16–3 .611
Clarence Spears 1932–1935 13–17–2 .438
Harry Stuhldreher 1936–1948 45–62–6 .425
Ivy Williamson 1949–1955 41–19–4 .672 0–1
Milt Bruhn 1956–1966 52–45–6 .534 0–2
John Coatta 1967–1969 3–26–1 .117
John Jardine 1970–1977 37–47–3 .443
Dave McClain 1978–1985 46–42–3 .522 1–2
Jim Hilles (Interim) 1986 3–9 .250
Don Morton 1987–1989 6–27 .182
Barry Alvarez 1990–2005 118–73–4 .615 8–3
Bret Bielema 2006–2012 68–24 .739 2–4
Barry Alvarez (Interim) 2012 0–1 .612 0–1
Gary Andersen 2013–2014 19–7 .731 0–1
Barry Alvarez (Interim) 2014 1–0 .614 1–0
Paul Chryst 2015–2022 67–26 .720 6–1
Jim Leonhard (Interim) 2022 4–3 .571
Luke Fickell 2023–present 9–6 .600 1–1

Rivalries

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Iowa

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Main article: Iowa–Wisconsin football rivalry

Iowa is Wisconsin's other archrival. Although the rivalry started in 1894, the Heartland Trophy was inaugurated in 2004 and goes each year to the winner. The trophy was designed and crafted by artist and former Iowa football player Frank Strub. The trophy, which is a bull mounted on a walnut base (native to both Wisconsin and Iowa), has been inscribed with the scores of all games in the long-time series. With Big Ten expansion, the Wisconsin and Iowa football teams were placed in separate divisions, thus ending their annual rivalry. However, with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers, Iowa and Wisconsin were placed back in the same division in 2014. Wisconsin leads the series at 49-46-2.

Minnesota

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Main article: Minnesota–Wisconsin football rivalry
Badgers celebrating their win by carrying Paul Bunyan's Axe around the stadium after the 2009 game

The UW-U of M series is the nation's most-played rivalry in Division I FBS football and has been played continuously since 1907. Much prestige was always associated with the game, and its significance was emphasized with its place on the schedule. Between 1933 and 1982, the Wisconsin-Minnesota game was always the final regular-season contest for each school. The series took an added twist in 1948 when more than state bragging rights were on the line. After a 16-0 setback that season, the Wisconsin lettermen's group, the National 'W' Club, presented Minnesota with an axe wielded by Paul Bunyan. He was the mythical giant of Midwestern lumber camps. Each year since, the winner of the annual battle between the Big Ten rivals is presented with the axe, complete with scores inscribed on the handle, for display on its campus. Wisconsin leads the series at 63-62-8.[27]

Rivals: Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio State.

All-time records

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All-time Big Ten records

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This chart includes both the overall record the University of Wisconsin Badgers have with the all-time Big Ten members, as well as the matchups that counted in the Big Ten standings. Wisconsin has been a member of the Big Ten since its creation in 1896. Michigan rejoined the league in 1917 after leaving in 1906. Chicago withdrew after 1939, and then Michigan State (1953), Penn State (1993), and Nebraska (2011), Maryland and Rutgers (2014), Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington (2024) joined the Big Ten conference bringing the league total to 18 teams. (As of November 25, 2023)

Team Big Ten wins Big Ten losses Big Ten ties Pct. Overall wins Overall losses Overall ties Pct. Streak First meeting Last meeting
Chicago Maroons 18 15 5 .539 19 16 5 .538 Won 1 1894 1937
Illinois Fighting Illini 45 38 7 .539 45 38 7 .539 Won 1 1895 2023
Indiana Hoosiers 41 20 2 .667 41 20 2 .667 Lost 2 1907 2023
Iowa Hawkeyes 49 47 2 .510 49 47 2 .510 Lost 3 1894 2024
Maryland Terrapins 4 0 0 1.000 4 0 0 1.000 Won 4 2014 2022
Michigan Wolverines 17 52 1 .254 17 52 1 .250 Lost 1 1892 2021
Michigan State Spartans 23 32 0 .408 23 32 0 .418 Lost1 1913 2022
Minnesota Golden Gophers 63 62 8 .504 63[27] 62[27] 8 .504 Won 1 1890 2023
Nebraska Cornhuskers 11 1 0 .917 13 4 0 .765 Won 10 1901 2023
Northwestern Wildcats 63 38 5 .618 63 38 5 .618 Won 1 1890 2024
Ohio State Buckeyes 18 63 5 .238 18 63 5 .238 Lost 7 1913 2023
Oregon Ducks 0 1 0 .000 3 4 0 .429 Lost 4 1977 2024
Penn State Nittany Lions 9 12 0 .429 9 12 0 .429 Lost 6 1953 2024
Purdue Boilermakers 54 29 8 .637 54 29 8 .637 Won 18 1892 2024
Rutgers Scarlet Knights 6 0 0 1.000 6 0 0 1.000 Won 6 2014 2024
UCLA Bruins 0 0 0 – 4 7 0 .364 Won 3 1938 2000
USC Trojans 0 1 0 .000 1 7 0 .125 Lost 1 1953 2024
Washington Huskies 0 0 0 – 0 4 0 .000 Lost 4 1960 1992
406 394 41 .507 430 429 43 .501

All Data from The Wisconsin Football Fact Book[28][failed verification][when?]

Traditions

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The Fifth Quarter

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The Fifth Quarter is a fan event that originated in 1969 and takes place following every Wisconsin home football game. During a 24-game losing streak (the longest in the school's history), athletic director Elroy Hirsch worked with the Wisconsin school band to create "the Fifth Quarter", where the band plays fan favorites such as "On, Wisconsin", "You’ve Said it All", and, at the end of the Fifth Quarter, "Varsity", the school's alma mater.

Jump Around

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Students in sections O & P jumping around and dancing in 2014

At home football games at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, students "Jump Around" to the song between the third and fourth quarters.[29] The tradition grew out of the men's varsity swim team members playing it over a portable CD player and broadcasting via a smuggled-in megaphone to sections O and P during the games to rile up those sections.[citation needed] This began in 1992, well before the official start.[citation needed] In March 1997, at a Fraternity party at Delta Tau Delta at midnight the song was played with the football team and members of the future stadium employees and it became the midnight anthem for every party until the end of that year.[citation needed] The tradition "officially" began on Saturday, October 10, 1998, at the Badgers Homecoming game against the Purdue Boilermakers.[30] During a game in which no offensive points were scored in the third quarter, and with the Badgers en route to their second 6–0 start in the modern football era, a team official piped the song through the loudspeakers.[31] It stirred up fans and players and eventually became a tradition.[31]

On September 6, 2003 (the Badgers' first home game of the season), with the construction of skyboxes surrounding Camp Randall Stadium, UW officials decided to cancel the "Jump Around" due to worries about structural integrity. Stadium security and the local police department had been informed of this decision but no notification had been given to the fans.[32] When news surfaced on Monday, September 8, that this event was not a technical or human malfunction, but rather a decision by campus officials, the students launched a protest. Petitions circulated and students pushed back against administration. Structural engineers confirmed that the stadium would suffer no structural damage caused by the vibrations created by jumping. Two days later, Chancellor John D. Wiley announced that the "Jump Around" tradition would resume.[33] The song's title is displayed on unofficial Wisconsin Badgers clothing and apparel, along with the credit/debit cards of the university's employee/student/alumni credit union.

College GameDay

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Main article: College GameDay (football)

The Badgers have appeared on ESPN's College Game Day 18 times since 1999, with 3 bowl appearances. Wisconsin is 7–11 in games played when College GameDay has traveled to Badger games. Wisconsin has hosted the program 7 times. The most recent visit came in 2021 when UW played Notre Dame in Chicago. The Badgers have a 4–3 record when GameDay is on the Madison campus.

Individual school records

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Note ‡-indicates NCAA FBS Record, †-indicates Big Ten Conference Record

Main article: Wisconsin Badgers football statistical leaders

All Data from The 2019 Wisconsin Football Fact Book[34]

Rushing records

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Melvin Gordon in 2014

Passing records

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Russell Wilson under center in 2011 against Purdue

Receiving records

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Jared Abbrederis in 2013

Scoring records

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Montee Ball in 2012

Kickoff/Punt return records

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  • Most kickoff return yards, career: 3,025, David Gilreath (2007–10)
  • Most kickoff return yards, season: 967, David Gilreath (2007)
  • Most kickoff return yards, game: 201, Jared Abbrederis (January 2, 2012, vs. Oregon)
  • Most kickoff return touchdowns, career: 2, Danny Crooks (1969–71), Ira Matthews (1975–78), and Nick Davis (1998–2001)
  • Most kickoff return touchdowns, season: 2, Ira Matthews (1976) and Nick Davis (1999)
  • Most kickoff return touchdowns, game: 1, (multiple players), most recent - Aron Cruickshank (January 1, 2020, vs. (Oregon)
  • Highest average per kickoff return, career (min 30 ret.): 25.8, Jared Abbrederis (2010–13)
  • Highest average per kickoff return, season (min 10 ret.): 29.6, Ira Matthews (1976)
  • Highest average per kickoff return, game (min 3 ret.): 42.7, Selvie Washington (September 21, 1974, vs. Nebraska)
  • Most punt return yards, career: 1,347, Jim Leonhard (2001–04)
  • Most punt return yards, season: 470, Jim Leonhard (2003)
  • Most punt return yards, game: 158, Earl Girard (November 8, 1947, vs. Iowa)
  • Most punt return touchdowns, career: 4, Ira Matthews (1975–78)
  • Most punt return touchdowns, season: 3, Ira Matthews (1978)
  • Most punt return touchdowns, game: 2, Earl Girard (November 8, 1947, vs. Iowa)
  • Highest average per punt return, career (min 25 ret.): 13.7, Brandon Williams (2002–05)
  • Highest average per punt return, season (min 15 ret.): 16.9, Ira Matthews (1978)
  • Highest average per punt return, game (min 3 ret.): 52.7, Earl Girard (November 8, 1947, vs. Iowa)

Defensive records

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Chris Borland in 2013
  • Most interceptions, career: 21, Jamar Fletcher (1998–2000) and Jim Leonhard (2001–04)
  • Most interceptions, season: 11, Jim Leonhard (2002)
  • Most interceptions, game: 4, Clarence Bratt (November 20, 1964, vs. Minnesota)
  • Most interceptions returned for a touchdown, career: 5, Jamar Fletcher (1998–2000)
  • Most interceptions returned for a touchdown, season: 3, Jamar Fletcher (1998)
  • Most interceptions returned for a touchdown, game: 2, Bob Radcliffe (October 15, 1949, vs. Navy)
  • Most tackles, career: 451, Pete Monty (1993–96)
  • Most tackles, season: 181, Dave Lokanc (1972)
  • Most tackles, game: 28, Dave Crossen (November 5, 1977, vs. Purdue)
  • Most tackles for loss, career: 58, Tarek Saleh (1993–96)
  • Most tackles for loss, season: 31, Tom Burke (1998)
  • Most tackles for loss, game: 6.5, Alex Lewis (October 18, 2003, vs. Purdue)
  • Most quarterback sacks, career: 33, Tarek Saleh (1993–96)
  • Most quarterback sacks, season: 22, Tom Burke (1998)
  • Most quarterback sacks, game: 6, Tim Jordan (October 19, 1985, vs. Northwestern)
  • Most fumbles forced, career: 14, Chris Borland (2009–13)‡†
  • Most fumbles recovered, career: 9, Scott Erdmann (1975–78)
  • Most fumbles recovered, season: 5, Ed Bosold (1972)
  • Most fumbles recovered, game: 3, Michael Reid (November 16, 1985, vs. Ohio State)
  • Most passes defended, career: 62, Mike Echols (1998–2001)
  • Most passes defended, season: 25, Mike Echols (2000) and Jim Leonhard (2002)
  • Most passes defended, game: 6, Mike Echols (November 6, 1999, vs. Purdue)
  • Most blocked kicks, career: 8, Richard Johnson (1982–84)
  • Most blocked kicks, season: 6, Richard Johnson (1984)
  • Most blocked kicks, game: 3, Richard Johnson (September 15, 1984, vs. Missouri)

Note ‡-indicates NCAA FBS Record, †-indicates Big Ten Conference Record

Honors

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Retired numbers

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See also: List of NCAA football retired numbers
Elroy Hirsch, one of the Badgers to have his number retired
No. Player Position Tenure
33 Ron Dayne RB 1996–99
35 Alan Ameche FB 1951–54
40 Elroy Hirsch RB, WR 1942
80 Dave Schreiner E 1939–42
83 Allan Shafer QB 1944 [note 1]
88 Pat Richter E, WR, P 1960–62
Notes
  1. ^ Posthumously. Shafer played only six games in 1944 before his death from injuries received in a game on November 11. He was 17 years old.[35][36]

Hall of Fame

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College Football Hall of Fame

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Beginning with George Little and Dave Schreiner in the 1955 class, the Badgers have had 14 former players and coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame

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Wisconsin has had 4 former players, graduates enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Individual award winners and finalists

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The following players have been nominated for national awards. Players highlighted in yellow indicate winners:

Consensus All-Americans

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List of Consensus All-Americans showing the year won, player and position[A 1]

† Unanimous selection

Future opponents

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Future Big Ten opponents

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Year Illinois Indiana Iowa Maryland Michigan Michigan State Minnesota Nebraska Northwestern Ohio State Oregon Penn State Purdue Rutgers UCLA USC Washington
2024 Away Home Away Away Home Home Home Away Away
2025 Home Away Home Home Away Away Home Away Home
2026 Away Away Home Home Away Away Home Away Home
2027 Away Home Away Away Home Home Home Home Away
2028 Home Away Home Home Away Away Away Home Away

Source:[52]

Non-conference opponents

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Announced schedules as of November 21, 2023.

On August 12, 2020, it was announced that Wisconsin would play versus the Southern Illinois Salukis in 2027, a game rescheduled from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[53]

On January 8, 2021, it was announced that Wisconsin would play versus the Colorado State Rams in 2026.[54] On May 4, 2021, it was announced that the game would be moved to 2027.[55]

On May 3, 2021, it was announced that Wisconsin would play a home and home series versus the Utah Utes in 2028 and 2033.[56]

On June 7, 2021, it was announced that Wisconsin would play versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2026 at Lambeau Field, a game rescheduled from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[57]

On November 21, 2023, it was announced that Wisconsin would play versus the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2027 at Aviva Stadium in Ireland as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.[58]

On March 26, 2024, it was announced that Wisconsin would play a home and home series versus the California Golden Bears in 2029 and 2030.[59]

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033
Western Michigan Miami (OH) vs Notre Dame Southern Illinois Utah at California California at Virginia Tech Virginia Tech at Utah
South Dakota Middle Tennessee State Western Illinois vs Pittsburgh
Alabama at Alabama Pittsburgh Colorado State
██ P5 opponents and equivalents

Current professional football players

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National Football League

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See also: List of Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL draft
= Pro Bowler
Name Position Current team Draft year
Zack Baun LB Philadelphia Eagles 2020
Keeanu Benton DT Pittsburgh Steelers 2023
Tyler Biadasz C Washington Commanders 2020
Logan Bruss G Los Angeles Rams 2022
Leo Chenal LB Kansas City Chiefs 2022
Corey Clement RB Free agent undrafted in 2017
Ryan Connelly LB Free agent 2019
Michael Deiter G Washington Commanders 2019
David Edwards OT Buffalo Bills 2019
T. J. Edwards LB Chicago Bears undrafted in 2019
Alex Erickson WR Los Angeles Chargers undrafted in 2016
Jake Ferguson TE Dallas Cowboys 2022
Troy Fumagalli TE Free agent 2018
Melvin Gordon RB Green Bay Packers 2015
Rob Havenstein OT Los Angeles Rams 2015
Matt Henningsen DE Denver Broncos 2022
Nick Herbig LB Pittsburgh Steelers 2023
Alec Ingold FB Miami Dolphins undrafted in 2019
Isaiahh Loudermilk DT Pittsburgh Steelers 2021
Dare Ogunbowale RB Houston Texans undrafted in 2017
Ryan Ramczyk OT New Orleans Saints 2017
Jack Sanborn LB Chicago Bears undrafted in 2022
Jonathan Taylor RB Indianapolis Colts 2020
Joe Tippmann C New York Jets 2023
Andrew Van Ginkel LB Minnesota Vikings 2019
Cole Van Lanen OT Jacksonville Jaguars 2021
T. J. Watt LB Pittsburgh Steelers 2017
Russell Wilson QB Pittsburgh Steelers 2012
Kevin Zeitler G Detroit Lions 2012

source:[60][61]

UFL

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CFL

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Notes

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  1. ^ Statistics correct as of 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season.[28]

References

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  1. ^ "Colors for Web". University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  2. ^ "UW Badgers".
  3. ^ "Paul Bunyan's Axe". The Official Website of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  4. ^ Rittenberg, Adam (December 5, 2012). "Report: Alvarez to coach UW in Rose Bowl". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  5. ^ "NCAA College Football Recap - LSU Tigers at Wisconsin Badgers - Aug 30, 2014 - CBSSports.com". CBSSports.com. August 31, 2014.
  6. ^ "Wisconsin Badgers Football, Basketball, and Recruiting Front Page". scout.com.
  7. ^ "Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Wisconsin Badgers - Recap". ESPN.com.
  8. ^ "Badgers Suffer Big Ten Title Game Beatdown, 59-0". Fox Sports Wisconsin. Associated Press. December 6, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "Oregon State hires Wisconsin's Gary Andersen - CollegeFootballTalk". nbcsports.com. December 10, 2014.
  10. ^ Hamilton, Brian (December 10, 2014). "Wisconsin must look at commitment as Andersen moves to Oregon State". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  11. ^ Temple, Jesse (December 11, 2014). "Academic admissions an issue at Wisconsin, but Andersen should have known better". Fox Sports Wisconsin. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  12. ^ Wisconsin's admission standards pushed Gary Andersen to Oregon St. by Dennis Dodd on January 21, 2015 CBS Sports, accessed January 22, 2015
  13. ^ Potrykus, Jeff (December 11, 2014). "Did Oregon State opening distract Gary Andersen in Big Ten title game?". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  14. ^ Channel 3000. "Alvarez to coach Wisconsin in bowl vs Auburn". Channel 3000.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ a b "Auburn Tigers vs Wisconsin Badgers - Recap". ESPN.com.
  16. ^ "Wisconsin Badgers Football, Basketball, and Recruiting Front Page". scout.com.
  17. ^ "UW turns to ex-USC coordinator to lead defense".
  18. ^ "Badgers upset fifth-ranked LSU 16-14 in season opener". Foxsports.com. September 3, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  19. ^ a b "Wisconsin brings in Cincinnati's Fickell as coach". ESPN.com. November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  20. ^ a b Gaydos, Ryan (November 27, 2022). "Wisconsin taps Luke Fickell for football job after great run with Cincinnati: 'He is a transformative hire'". Fox News. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Fickell ushers in new era of Badger football". uwbadgers.com. November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  22. ^ 2018 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records (PDF). Indianapolis: National Collegiate Athletic Association. August 2017. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  23. ^ "2019 FACT BOOK" (PDF). uwbadgers.com. Wisconsin Athletics. p. 334. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  24. ^ "Badgers Rated Nation's No. 1". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. January 11, 1943. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  25. ^ "2017 Wisconsin Football Fact Book (PDF)" (PDF). Wisconsin Badgers.
  26. ^ "Which College Teams Carry The Longest Active Bowl Streaks". December 3, 2018.
  27. ^ a b c "Wisconsin vs. Minnesota series record". cfbdatawarehouse.com. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  28. ^ a b "2013 WISCONSIN FOOTBALL FACT BOOK" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  29. ^ Kohlbeck, Eric. "WISCONSIN'S JUMP AROUND: 'FANS HAVE MADE IT WHAT IT IS'". Campusrush.com. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  30. ^ Andy Bitter. "An A - to - Z Guide to Camp Randall". Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  31. ^ a b Brown, Jen (September 30, 2005). "Wisconsin Football: More Than a Game". ABC News. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  32. ^ Orris, Michelle (September 8, 2003). "Kiss 'Jump Around' Goodbye". The Badger Herald. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  33. ^ "'Jump Around' Tradition Returns to Student Section". University of Wisconsin-Madison. September 10, 2003. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
  34. ^ "UW Badgers Fact Book" (PDF).
  35. ^ Flaherty, Tom (November 13, 1994). "Never A Star, No. 83 Left Mark At Wisconsin". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  36. ^ "Shafer's Jersey Number to be Retired". University of Wisconsin. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  37. ^ George Little at the College Football Hall of Fame
  38. ^ Dave Schreiner at the College Football Hall of Fame
  39. ^ Philip King at the College Football Hall of Fame
  40. ^ Pat O'Dea at the College Football Hall of Fame
  41. ^ Bob Butler at the College Football Hall of Fame
  42. ^ Elroy Hirsch at the College Football Hall of Fame
  43. ^ Alan Ameche at the College Football Hall of Fame
  44. ^ Marty Below at the College Football Hall of Fame
  45. ^ Pat Harder at the College Football Hall of Fame
  46. ^ Pat Richter at the College Football Hall of Fame
  47. ^ Barry Alvarez at the College Football Hall of Fame
  48. ^ Ron Dayne at the College Football Hall of Fame
  49. ^ Tim Krumrie at the College Football Hall of Fame
  50. ^ Joe Thomas at the College Football Hall of Fame
  51. ^ "Abbrederis named winner of Burlsworth Trophy - UWBadgers.com - The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers". uwbadgers.com.
  52. ^ "Big Ten Conference Announces Future Football Schedule Formats for 2024-28". Big Ten Conference. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  53. ^ Kelley, Kevin (August 12, 2020). "2020 Southern Illinois at Wisconsin football game rescheduled for 2027". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  54. ^ Kelley, Kevin (January 8, 2021). "Wisconsin adds Colorado State to 2026 football schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  55. ^ Kelley, Kevin (May 4, 2021). "Colorado State to play at Indiana in 2026, moves Wisconsin game to 2027". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  56. ^ "Utah, Wisconsin schedule home-and-home football series for 2028, 2033". FBSchedules.com. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  57. ^ Kelley, Kevin (June 7, 2021). "Notre Dame-Wisconsin game at Lambeau Field rescheduled for 2026". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  58. ^ "Wisconsin-Pitt to face off in Ireland in 2027". uwbadgers.com. November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  59. ^ "Wisconsin football sets home-and-home series with California". uwbadgers.com. March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  60. ^ "Badgers football: Complete list of former Wisconsin players on NFL rosters". May 11, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2016.
  61. ^ "UWBadgers.com - The Official Athletic Site of the Wisconsin Badgers - Football". uwbadgers.com.

Further reading

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[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wisconsin Badgers football.
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