The Wisconsin football team is now 81 days away from their season opener Sept. 2 against Buffalo at Camp Randall as the 2023 college football campaign is on the horizon. As the Badgers gear up for their much-anticipated first season under head coach Luke Fickell, the team turned a corner in 1981.
Prior to the 1981 season, quarterback Randy Wright joined the Badgers and operated as the top backup behind starter Jess Cole. On the season, Wright only completed 21 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns as the 7-4 Wisconsin squad went on to lose to 28-21 to Tennessee in the Garden State Bowl game.
It was Wisconsin’s first bowl appearance since 1962 and the team wouldn’t have to wait long to get another try. In 1982, led by Wright as the starting quarterback, the Badgers won the Independence Bowl, beating Kansas State 14-3.
The quarterback threw for two touchdowns and was selected as the offensive MVP in the contest after Wright had delivered the Badgers their first ever bowl victory.
In total, Wright only spent two seasons as the team’s starting signal-caller, but he left a massive mark. His 5,003 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns were both program records when he ended his Wisconsin career following the 1983 campaign.
Wright went to be selected in the sixth round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, starting 32 games for the team over a five-year professional career.
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