Tag: comments

Wisconsin offensive coordinator has high praise for transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.

Wisconsin offensive coordinator has high praise for transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.

This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.

Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes called Billy Edwards Jr. ‘one of the top two or three’ transfer quarterbacks in the country in a recent Q&A with Matt Lepay and VC Connect.

“I love this kid,” Grimes said in a video clip posted on X. “We looked at a bunch of quarterbacks in the portal. And from the beginning, Billy was one of the top two or three guys in the country, in my estimation.”

Related: Recapping Wisconsin football’s winter transfer portal movement

Edwards committed to the Badgers on Dec. 16, just four days after initially entering the portal. 247Sports lists the former Maryland starter as a three-star transfer recruit, ranked as the No. 284 overall player in the portal and No. 27 quarterback.

Grimes is much higher on the Badgers’ new signal-caller than the broader consensus. He expanded on some of the reasons for that high evaluation.

“There were a lot of guys that some experts may have had rated higher. But I thought his combination of size, arm talent, intelligence, decision-making and athletic ability, combined with personality, toughness, energy that you can tell from watching the film. All of those things were important to me.”

Here is the full clip, courtesy of VC Connect:

Edwards is set to start for the Badgers in 2025 after one year as Maryland’s full-time starter. The veteran completed 65% of his passes for 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2024 for the Terrapins. Those numbers include the context of Maryland finishing second-to-last in the conference (4-8 overall, 1-8 Big Ten). Edwards wasn’t surrounded by much talent or production on his side of the football, especially along the offensive line.

The Virginia native figures to be a near-perfect fit in Grimes’ pro-style offense. He’ll be aided by a terrific offensive line unit, talented running back room and strong wide receiving corps. Those convergent factors should lead to career numbers from the senior quarterback. He won’t have much trouble delivering Wisconsin’s best season from the position since 2019 (Jack Coan).

247Sports transfer quarterback rankings were led by Carson Beck (Georgia to Miami), John Mateer (Washington State to Oklahoma), Luke Kromenhoek (Florida State to Mississippi State), Fernando Mendoza (Cal to Indiana) and Jaron Kaewe Sagapolutele (Oregon to Cal).

According to Grimes, Edwards could surpass most of them.

Wisconsin fans know the first step toward that reality is Edwards staying healthy through an entire season. The team’s high-profile veteran transfer additions have combined to play just 13 combined games over the last two seasons — 10 from Tanner Mordecai in 2023 and three from Tyler Van Dyke in 2024. That dynamic hurt Phil Longo’s air raid attack.

Grimes will need better luck in that regard has he works to return the program to its classic pro-style roots.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Wisconsin offensive coordinator explains what transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr. brings to the Badgers

Wisconsin offensive coordinator explains what transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr. brings to the Badgers

The word ‘unstable’ could be used to describe Wisconsin’s quarterback situation over the last three seasons.

Graham Mertz led the team in 2022. Tanner Mordecai and Braedyn Locke then split the duties in 2023, Locke seeing extended time after Mordecai broke his hand in October. Tyler Van Dyke transferred in to start in 2024, but he played in just two-plus games before a season-ending injury handed the job to Locke for the remainder of the season.

Related: A look at Wisconsin football’s full coaching staff for the 2025 season

Now, Wisconsin is set to enter the 2025 season with its fourth starting quarterback in as many seasons. That will be Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr., a top transfer recruit who joined the Badgers last month during the winter window.

Edwards committed to the program on Dec. 16, just eight days following Wisconsin’s hire of new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. An overhaul in the room was task No. 1 for Grimes after every Phil Longo-era quarterback either transferred out or decommitted.

Grimes met with the media on Tuesday and discussed what he saw from Edwards during his time as Maryland’s starter. One common theme: size, athleticism and playmaking ability.

“Billy Edwards is obviously somebody we’re expecting big things from,” Grimes began. “There were a number of things that impressed me with his film…I thought he had arm talent. I thought he had good athletic ability. I like his size…It was a combination of all those things at first. And then as I got to know him, I recognize that he’s got all the intangibles that you’d look for. He’s smart, he’s competitive. And he’s really driven to be great. We’re beginning to see his leadership skills emerge already.”

Edwards, listed at 6’4”, 220 pounds, excelled as Maryland’s starting quarterback in 2024, completing 65% of his passes for 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Terrapins finished the season with ESPN SP+’s No. 97-ranked offense. That wasn’t due to any struggles under center — Edwards was arguably the unit’s single bright spot.

Grimes emphasized the veteran’s ability to excel in those adverse circumstances, specifically behind one of the worst offensive lines in the conference.

“I saw [on film] a guy that had toughness, that was able to stand in there and take a lot of hits,” Grimes continued. “And not [have them] impact how he played the game. Threw a lot of balls with people right in his face as he’s letting it go. A lot of times he had to short-arm the ball because he couldn’t even step up throw the way that he would like to. None of that impacted him. None of the hits, playing that position you’re going to get banged up probably. None of that seemed to impact how he played the game.”

Edwards figures to fit well as the leader of Grimes’ offensive scheme in its first year with the program, a scheme that will return the Badgers closer to their pro-style roots. The strength of that unit projects to be the offensive line and running game. Given Grimes’ sentiment, more stability should only help the veteran succeed.

New quarterbacks coach Kenny Guiton echoed some of Grimes’ comments. While he was asked what Wisconsin’s trio of scholarship quarterbacks in Edwards, Danny O’Neil and Carter Smith bring to the room, he focused on more than just the on-schedule play-call.

“These guys bring a certain level of athleticism to the quarterback room. I think they all have a chance to do different things with their legs, not 50-yard runs, but creating that second play,” Guiton said. “They all have the athleticism to be able to work a pocket and really give our guys chances to create that second level of, you know, kind of playing around, backyard football. We watch Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, a lot of their stuff is off-schedule. A lot of stuff in the NFL is off-schedule. I’m not saying we’re at the NFL level, but you have to be able to do that when maybe the defense has won on the line and with what they’re calling. You have to have a guy back there that can be an eraser. I do see that in all three.”

Guiton, Wisconsin’s wide receivers coach last season, was moved to quarterbacks coach after Grimes’ hire. The move was made after Edwards and O’Neil each transferred in. While the new position coach didn’t lead the charge in recruiting the two transfers, his eye is now trained on their offseason development.

The Badgers take the field for spring practice in the coming months. That time will see a first official glimpse at Edwards under center, as well as Grimes’ new offensive scheme. It’s reasonable to have high expectations for what the two can bring to the field next fall. After all, Wisconsin won’t need much from Edwards to get its best quarterback season since 2022, if not longer.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Wisconsin basketball upcoming opponent struggling with Big Ten’s ‘physical game’

Wisconsin basketball upcoming opponent struggling with Big Ten’s ‘physical game’

Wisconsin basketball is currently headed west for its first Big Ten Conference matchups against former Pac-12 powers USC and UCLA. It first visits the Trojans on Saturday afternoon, then the Bruins on Tuesday.

The Badgers enter the road trip on a six-game winning streak dating back to mid-December. The team has risen from the bottom of the Big Ten standings into its top third, threatening to contend for a top spot. Two more road wins would be an important step in that regard.

Related: Updated win-loss predictions for Wisconsin basketball schedule entering West Coast road trip

The context surrounding those two upcoming opponents is worthwhile to note before the Badgers make the West Coast trip.

USC, first, has impressively won two straight over Illinois and Iowa. It is up to No. 58 in the ESPN BPI and No. 66 in KenPom — both significant improvements after a tough start to the season. The Badgers will need to recreate their top form to exit with a victory.

UCLA, meanwhile, is amid somewhat of a collapse. The Bruins sat 10-1 entering a Dec. 21 matchup against North Carolina. They fell 76-74 in that contest, rebounded with a win over Gonzaga, and then continued to drop four straight conference games. That stretch sent the team down to 11-6 on the season, 2-4 in Big Ten play and No. 34 and No. 36 slots in BPI and KenPom, respectively.

Those four losses came against Nebraska, Michigan, Maryland and Rutgers. Michigan and Maryland are formidable opponents and clear NCAA Tournament teams. Nebraska and Rutgers, on the other hand, are games that the Bruins couldn’t afford to lose with an expectation of Big Ten contention.

Head coach Mick Cronin was blunt when discussing that losing streak and why the Bruins have struggled in their new conference. “I think we are trying,” Cronin told the media. “But here are the facts. We have struggled in Big Ten basketball. Our two wins were against teams we were familiar playing against. I think the truth of it is, that Big Ten basketball is different. It’s a much more physical game.”

The Bruins head coach went on to discuss the context surrounding his team’s skid:

“I also think the league is unbelievably rock-solid,” Cronin continued. “Some teams get fortunate, we were not with the schedule. We were not with Dylan Harper, who is a unbelievable player, having some sort of illness where he could hardly stand up in the previous two games, where he hardly played. And then being back to full strength against us…That being said, we’re struggling with the adjustment to Big Ten basketball.”

UCLA’s losses haven’t been by slim margins. It fell 66-58 to Nebraska, 94-75 to Michigan, 79-61 to Maryland and 75-68 to Rutgers. The Badgers will look to extend that streak when the two teams meet on Tuesday night.

Wisconsin may have an advantage on paper against both USC and UCLA, especially given the team’s latest defensive improvement. But the Badgers will need to overcome significant travel and challenging road environments to exit with victories, even while both programs still work to acclimate to Big Ten basketball.

Saturday’s game against USC is set for a 3 p.m. ET, 2 p.m. CT tip-off and will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

Paul Finebaum explains how Big Ten may ‘rule the college football world’

Paul Finebaum explains how Big Ten may ‘rule the college football world’

Big Ten football fans know Paul Finebaum doesn’t often go to bat for the conference.

Recently, he was one of the numerous national media members questioning why Indiana made the College Football Playoff after its 27-17 first-round loss to Notre Dame. Finebaum, and others, pointed to SEC powers Alabama, South Carolina and Ole Miss as teams that would have been a better matchup against the Fighting Irish.

Related: Updated conference bowl records for 2024-25 college football postseason

Bowl results did not help that argument. Alabama, South Carolina and Texas A&M‘s lost to Michigan, Illinois and USC, respectively, putting a major dent into any argument of SEC dominance. Then SEC champion Georgia lost to Notre Dame (23-10) by more points than Indiana did (27-17).

The Big Ten and SEC have played five head-to-head games during bowl season. The Big Ten is 4-1 in those contests; Iowa‘s 27-24 Music City Bowl loss to Missouri is the only blemish. The conference also boasts two playoff  semifinal participants (Ohio State, Penn State) to the SEC’s one (Texas).

Finebaum addressed the Big Ten and SEC’s respective bowl season performances on “SportsCenter” this weekend. His thought on a potential all-Big Ten national title game (if Ohio State defeats Texas and Penn State defeats Notre Dame):

“This would really completely change the paradigm of college football that has been all about the SEC, particularly when (Nick) Saban was at Alabama and then Kirby Smart going for a three-peat last year. Imagine if it’s two Big Ten teams and the Big Ten is ruling the world. I’m not sure what we’re going to do down here in SEC country but hang our head.”

Conference realignment has elevated the Big Ten and SEC significantly past their power-conference counterparts. A Penn State-Ohio State national title game would give the Big Ten a significant edge in the bragging rights between the two. As Finebaum noted, the Big Ten would rule the college football world in that scenario.

Importantly, that may begin to change how the sport is discussed: SEC teams aren’t automatically thought to be better than teams from the Big Ten with a similar record. This reality will help a team such as Wisconsin as it works to break through. A 9-3 record might be enough for a playoff berth moving forward, especially if the losses are to the Big Ten’s top contenders.

Badgers fans, Nebraska Cornhuskers fans and fans across the Big Ten should pull for their conference counterparts in the playoff semifinal. The better those two programs do, the more likely it becomes that the Big Ten starts to receive the benefit of the doubt that the SEC has relied upon for decades.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Luke Fickell on his upcoming offensive coordinator hire: ‘We want to be more of a pro style’

Luke Fickell on his upcoming offensive coordinator hire: ‘We want to be more of a pro style’

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell updated the Badgers’ search for their vacant offensive coordinator position when meeting with the media on Wednesday.

The position opened when the program fired Phil Longo after its 16-13 Week 12 loss to No. 1 Oregon. It has yet to be filled, now almost one full week after the team’s season-ending loss to Minnesota.

Related: Everything Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said about Badgers’ finalized class of 2025, his vision for the offense

“It’s an ongoing process. I’d like to tell you that ‘in three days we’ll be able to do this thing,'” Fickell said on Wednesday. “But we have to do our due diligence. We can’t hastefully just jump into this. Look, I wanted it done yesterday. I wanted it done a week ago. I wanted to know who it was.”

Wisconsin has seen significant roster movement in the time since Longo’s departure. It landed four-star quarterback Carter Smith to headline its class of 2025, but also saw the high-profile departure of ascending wide receiver Trech Kekahuna.

The current lack of a coordinator did not hurt the program’s class of 2025 recruiting efforts. And Kekahuna may have departed regardless, as he was a tailored fit in Longo’s air raid attack.

But as the winter transfer season continues, Wisconsin will obviously need somebody in place. The hire will likely precede quarterback movement and other scheme-based changes — two critical parts of the team’s upcoming offseason.

Fickell outlined his vision for that hire, hinting at a move away from Longo’s air raid scheme.

“There’s a vision that we have to continue to grow and evolve what we’re doing offensively,” Fickell continued. “The stereotype of saying before we were an air raid, which is whatever that is. It’s just a label. I’ll tell you we want to be more of a pro style. And what does that mean. That doesn’t mean anything more than we want to be multiple. We want to be able to play in 11 personnel, we want to be able to play in 12 personnel. We have 13 personnel. If that’s possible, 21 personnel. We want to be in the shotgun and be able to do the things that we’ve done out of the gun in the passing game, but we also want to see ourselves under center for 6, 8, 10 snaps a game.”

The comments do not narrow down any candidates specifically. But they do signal a philosophy shift from when Fickell took the job two years ago.

“We want to be able to build upon what it is that we’ve done,” Fickell specified. “What we’ve done in the last two years and our ability to spread it out and play the passing game, be out of the gun, is obviously where we build from. But our ability to play under center and get some play-action…That’s the idea, that’s the vision for us going forward.”

His hire will be tasked with turning around a unit that averaged just 22.6 points per game in 2024, down from 23.5 points per game in 2023. The unit will also likely have new faces all over the field. Where the word ‘unknown’ defines the current state of the unit, the word ‘change’ appears to define where it is heading in 2025.

Fickell also closed with a notable addition — he may look to hire a quarterbacks coach in addition to an offensive coordinator.

Those two hires in tandem will define Wisconsin’s offseason, and could define the Fickell era with the program. The Badgers face a gauntlet schedule in 2025. The success of the new coordinator and offensive system will be necessary for Fickell to return the team to bowl eligibility and reestablish its baseline of success.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin QB Braedyn Locke discusses future with the Badgers after loss to Minnesota

Wisconsin QB Braedyn Locke discusses future with the Badgers after loss to Minnesota

Wisconsin’s 2024 regular season came to a crashing end on Friday afternoon with a 24-7 loss to rival Minnesota. The loss finishes the team’s quest for a 23rd consecutive bowl appearance — barring a significant collection of Week 14 upsets and the Badgers edging other 5-7 teams in APR (Academic Progress Rate).

For all intents and purposes, Wisconsin’s 2024 season came to a close with a decisive loss to its biggest rival.

Related: Braelon Allen, notable former Wisconsin players react to Badgers loss to Minnesota, worst season since 2001

The result begins what will be a pivotal offseason for Luke Fickell. He must hire an offensive coordinator, reshape the program’s identity, reload the roster in the transfer portal and work to reverse what has gone wrong over the last two seasons.

One big variable in that equation is the quarterback position. Veteran Tyler Van Dyke, who tore his ACL during the Badgers’ Week 3 loss to Alabama, could return for another season. Braedyn Locke, who played the majority of the 2024 season in relief of Van Dyke, is only a redshirt sophomore. Other potential factors in the room include true freshman Mabrey Mettauer and incoming top recruit Carter Smith.

Wisconsin may be forced back into the transfer market for 2025 given the questions surrounding Van Dyke’s health and Locke’s on-field results. Van Dyke may not be ready for Week 1 next fall, while Locke finished 2024 with a 3-7 overall record, 1,936 yards, a 55% completion rate, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His play was one of the many factors in the team’s five-game losing streak to close the season.

Locke discussed his future with the program when meeting with the media after the Minnesota loss on Friday. Here is his full comment, courtesy of The Athletic’s Jesse Temple:

“I’ve got a lot of pride in this program,” Locke said. “I love being a Badger. This place has been so special to me. I’ve got a heart for every single guy in that locker room. I love them to death. I’d do anything for them. I lay it on the line for our program every day. And I say that without a doubt at all. So, yeah, I love being here. I want to be here. It’s been an absolute pleasure to take the field nine Saturdays this fall. Something I’ll never forget. Regardless of the outcome, it’s been very, very special for me and I want to continue to do that.”

Locke’s future is worth watching with Wisconsin set to hire a new offensive coordinator this offseason. That new hire will install a new system, which will likely be different from Phil Longo’s air raid. Locke was one of Longo’s initial transfer additions, transferring from another air raid system at Mississippi State.

The dynamic of a new coordinator and the team’s urgency after a 5-7 season will likely lead to a new signal-caller under center to begin 2025. While that appears likely, it remains challenging to predict player movement in the current age of the sport.

Given Locke’s sentiment after the Badger’ season-ending loss, he may still stick around and compete for the job amid the inevitable offseason changes.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Greg Gard defends Wisconsin senior forward after strong play vs. Montana State

Greg Gard defends Wisconsin senior forward after strong play vs. Montana State

This story was updated to add new information.

Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard came to the defense of Badgers senior forward Carter Gilmore after the team’s 79-67 win over Montana State on Thursday.

Gilmore, who played 19 minutes off the bench in the Badgers’ victory, again played a big role on both sides of the court. He finished with four points on 2-of-3 shooting, two assists, two rebounds and one highlight block.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s win over Montana State

Gard highlighted his performance, especially on the defensive side, when speaking postgame.

“[Gilmore] just gives us such a steadying [presence],” Gard began. “And I know he’s taken a lot of s*** over his career here. And it’s, quite frankly, unwarranted. Because if you have you have any idea what you’re looking at, you can see that he really anchors us defensively, he covers up a lot of stuff, he’s really good in the ball screens…He’s just a ballplayer.”

The senior forward has nine total points on 4-of-5 shooting through two games, in addition to four rebounds, two assists and a block. Those totals are all on an early pace to surpass his 2022-23 totals when he averaged 18.8 minutes per game off the bench.

Gard highlighted Gilmore’s versatility in the lineup, pointing to more minutes and more opportunities down the road.

“We can play him at various positions, played him at the three a lot during the preseason,” Gard continued. “He’s covers up mistakes defensively of other guys, Tyler Wahl did that. They’re different. But he has such a good feel for the game and talks the game the right way. The things he’s talking about and asking about — he’s seeing it and talking like a coach…He’s been able to play within his strengths and not get outside of his strengths. He’s very valuable. He’s smart, he’s tough, he covers up mistakes, he knows what we’re doing. He really is a good leader…He’s an unsung important piece to this group.”

Gilmore currently slots into the lineup as a primary backup forward behind starters Nolan Winter and Steven Crowl. He should continue to be a key force off the bench as the team continues to grow throughout the season.

Gard, Gilmore and the Badgers are back on the court on Nov. 10 at home against Appalachian State.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell: Badgers need to find No. 1 lead running back

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell: Badgers need to find No. 1 lead running back

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell met with the media on Monday to discuss the state of the team entering Saturday’s Week 6 matchup against Purdue.

One topic of discussion was the running back room. Wisconsin has yet to see a clear top running back emerge, with Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker mostly splitting snaps and carries.

Fickell was clear in his vision for the position. He says the Badgers need to find a lead No. 1 running back, clear No. 2, and so on.

“We have a little of a tough ride right now at the running back spot,” Fickell said, “Meaning we have a bunch of guys. And it’s probably one of the things that I am going to kind of put on the offense a little more. To say ‘Look, I don’t know that you can play four or five running backs.’ We’ve got to focus in on, ‘Hey, who’s going to be No. 1, who’s going to be the next guy, and then who’s the spare.’ It doesn’t give them an opportunity to get in rhythms. Chez [Mellusi] being one of those guys, Tawee [Walker] being another one. So we’re going to have to figure it out.”

Mellusi has 232 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 56 carries through four games thus. Walker has 147 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries, though he missed the team’s Week 2 win over South Dakota. Others to receive include Cade Yacamelli (12 carries, 153 yards) and true freshman Darrion Dupree (16 carries, 61 yards).

Fickell’s tone that finding a lead running back is something he will ‘put on the offense a little more’ points to this change possibly happening as soon as Saturday. In his words, the staff needs to give the backs a chance to ‘get hot.’

“That’s what’s really kind of difficult for Chez, for Tawee. Even for some of the young guys,” Fickell continued. “When we talk about continuing to develop, finding winning habits. We need to find winning combinations too. There’s not one thing you can say that ‘this is going to give us the best opportunity.’ It’s going to have to be the body of work. We’re going to have to give some guys opportunities early in games and have to ride with them a little bit more…Right now, I don’t think we’re giving those guys enough opportunity to see if they can get hot. See if they can create some things. I think to date, our longest run is 25 [yards]…There’s bigger plays that need to be had at that position.”

Purdue enters Saturday ranked No. 130 in the nation (of 133 teams) in rush defense. It allows an average of 242 rushing yards per game, and has given up 12 rushing touchdowns through four weeks.

Wisconsin’s matchup against Purdue should give Fickell and his staff a golden opportunity to find a lead running back. It will be interesting to watch how the snaps are handled at the position, and whether we already see a clear No. 1 emerge.

The Badgers and Boilermakers will kick off at noon ET, 11 a.m. CT on Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell after Western Michigan win: ‘At halftime, it was interesting’

Wisconsin HC Luke Fickell: ‘At halftime, it was interesting’

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell was, in a word, relieved after the Badgers’ uncomfortable 28-14 win over Western Michigan on Friday night.

Fickell told the Big Ten Network postgame how proud he was of the Badgers for battling adversity. His focus was on the plays the team made in the fourth quarter to win the game, though he also acknowledged the contest was a little too close for comfort.

Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s 28-14 Week 1 win over Western Michigan

“I didn’t see any panic,” Fickell said. “The emotions were not high. Just a methodical game. But they handled it really well. And that’s what I’m proud of.”

The head coach continued: “You know, at halftime … it was interesting.”

The Badgers led 10-7 at the break, scoring a touchdown on only one of their three first-half red zone possessions. Fickell’s tone captured the feelings in the stadium at that stage. There was an overwhelming thought of “oh no, here we go again.”

But credit to the Badgers for making plays when it mattered most. That was Fickell’s focus after the game, as his team did not excel in those areas last season.

“You knew you had to come back out, and you go down, and you find a way to come back,” Fickell continued. “We know it’s going to be about adversity and handling adversity, and we didn’t do a great job of that last year. So I’m proud they did.”

https://twitter.com/B1Gfootball/status/1829744699810205843

Wisconsin has a lot to improve upon entering Week 2 against South Dakota and Week 3 against No. 5 Alabama and a Big Ten schedule. The improvements will start on offense, where the team did not manage a play longer than 17 yards.

The Badgers are 1-0 after one week, which is technically all that matters. Attention now turns to how to prevent having next Saturday follow the same script as Friday night’s win.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. 

PHOTOS: Wisconsin Badgers at 2024 Big Ten media days

PHOTOS: Wisconsin Badgers at 2024 Big Ten media days

Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell and select player representatives spoke to the assembled media at 2024 Big Ten media days on Tuesday.

Fickell was one of the first at the main podium. He conducted more of a press release than a press conference, as his opening statement took up 13 minutes of the available 15-minute time slot.

Related: Where Wisconsin lands in USA TODAY Sports 2024 Big Ten football preseason poll

He continued with a smaller, non-televised press conference before player representatives safety Hunter Wohler, left tackle Jack Nelson and linebacker Jake Chaney all took to the podium.

The media days event included news, including Wisconsin making player personnel director Max Stienecker the youngest general manager in the Power 4. It also included a large inflatable Oregon Duck mascot floating down the White River, plus more useful insight into what to expect when the Badgers take the field on Aug. 30 to kick off their 2024 season.

The event marks the beginning of true preseason preparation with the season now a little more than a month away.

Before the Badgers travel to UW-Platteville to conduct training camp, here is a look at Fickell and the team’s leaders representing the program at the new-look Big Ten media days: