Tag: Penn State

Penn State RT shares what former Badgers tackle Nolan Rucci said about Camp Randall Stadium atmosphere

Nolan Rucci preparing the Penn State OL for their trip to Madison

Wisconsin’s prime-time showdown with No. 3 Penn State on Saturday will see former Badgers offensive tackle Nolan Rucci return to Madison, Wisconsin.

Rucci transferred to Penn State before the 2024 season after three years with the Badgers. He notably joined the program as a five-star recruit in the class of 2021. He was ranked as the second-highest-rated commit in Wisconsin program history.

Related: 10 stats that will define Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State football

The Pennsylvania native played sparingly during his three years with the Badgers. His top moment with the program was actually a touchdown reception — a game-winner in the final moments of the team’s win over Illinois in 2023.

Established starters Jack Nelson (left tackle) and Riley Mahlman (right tackle), both back in 2024, blocked any clear path to Rucci earning a starting job. He entered the transfer portal with two years of eligibility and committed to Penn State.

Rucci enters Saturday’s big game at Camp Randall Stadium as Penn State’s primary backup right tackle. Redshirt freshman Anthony Donkoh (No. 68) won the job out of training camp and has held it throughout the season. The former Badger’s game action has been limited to jumbo formations, late-game scenarios and in relief of Donkoh, who has battled minor injuries throughout the year.

Aug. 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) celebrates with Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Anthony Donkoh (68) after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Donkoh is healthy entering Saturday. So Rucci’s snaps are expected to be limited, barring injury. The former Badger has helped the starter prepare for what projects to be a raucous Camp Randall Stadium atmosphere. Donkoh described that exchange when meeting with the media earlier this week:

“He was telling me that the fans are crazy, it’s a super cool place to play at,” Donkoh said.

Those fans are expected to be especially energized on Saturday night given the weight of the matchup between the Badgers and Nittany Lions. Wisconsin enters as the winner of three straight games and with significant momentum. Penn State, meanwhile, has a No. 3 next to its name on the scoreboard. Fans will enter the gates hoping that Luke Fickell’s team can pull a program-defining victory.

We will see how much playing time Rucci, who now wears No. 72, gets on Saturday. It is an interesting sub-plot in what projects to be a fantastic on-field matchup.

Wisconsin and Penn State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday night. The game will be on NBC and stream on Peacock.

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 cornerback among PFF’s best true freshman of 2024 season

Wisconsin cornerback among PFF’s best true freshman of 2024 season

Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas continues to grade well in the eyes of ProFootballFocus.

The standout true freshman has an overall grade of 80.7 through seven weeks of action, good for sixth among all true freshmen in the Power Four.

Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s premier matchup with Penn State

Lucas has battled minor injuries throughout the season, though has been mostly available for Mike Tressel’s secondary. He has recorded nine total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and two pass deflections in that time.

Raw statistics are often misleading when evaluating cornerbacks, however, as those who are thrown toward less are usually the ones who are best in coverage. For example, Wisconsin star CB Ricardo Hallman barely has any counting statistics this season (nine tackles, four pass deflections), but he’s playing like one of the best corners in the country.

Lucas is certainly playing up to that caliber.

He trails only Oklahoma‘s Eli Bowen (81.4), Louisville’s Isaac Brown (81.6), Ohio State‘s Jeremiah Smith (82.4), Texas‘ Colin Simmons (86.4) and Minnesota’s Koi Perich (91.1) on PFF’s latest list of the true freshmen in the sport:

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1849437436402683981

Lucas’ status for Wisconsin’s Saturday night showdown with No. 3 Penn State is somewhat up in the air. He left the Badgers’ win over Northwestern last weekend and did not return. There has since been no material update on his availability for Saturday.

His status will be worth monitoring as kickoff nears for a season-defining opportunity for Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers.

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 surges in CBS Sports college football re-rank after Week 8

Wisconsin surges in CBS Sports college football re-rank after Week 8

Wisconsin football is on a steep rise after three consecutive decisive victories.

The team has improved to 5-2 (3-1 Big Ten) during a stretch in which the Badgers outscored opponents, 117-16. The team’s metrics have improved significantly. It is 25th in ESPN FPI and 20th in SP+.

Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s premier matchup with Penn State

The computer metrics aren’t the only thing impressed by the Badgers’ recent form. CBS Sports’ latest re-ranking of all 134 teams elevated the Badgers another 12 spots, to No. 34 in the nation.

The moves follow Wisconsin’s 23-3 win at Northwestern. It continues the team’s upward trajectory, though it remains behind Big Ten foes Nebraska (No. 31), Illinois (No. 21), Indiana (No. 7), Penn State (No. 3), Ohio State (No. 2) and Oregon (No. 1).

Wisconsin has upcoming games against Penn State, Iowa (No. 40), Nebraska, Oregon and Minnesota (No. 47). A continuation of form should see a continued rise in CBS’ rankings, especially if that form leads to an upset victory over top-ranked Penn State on Saturday.

The Badgers and Nittany Lions will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on NBC and streaming on Peacock. It profiles as arguably the biggest game of the Luke Fickell era to date.

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 facing former Badgers OL transfer, who is now on Penn State

Wisconsin facing former Badgers OL transfer, who is now on Penn State

The Wisconsin Badgers will play against former Wisconsin offensive lineman Nolan Rucci on Saturday when the team hosts the No. 3-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.

Rucci played at Wisconsin from 2021-2023 before transferring to Penn State before the 2024 season.

Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s premier matchup with Penn State

The offensive lineman originally joined the Badgers program as a five-star recruit in the class of 2021 — ranked as the No. 16 overall player in the class and No. 5 offensive tackle. His 0.9918 247Sports rating was good enough to rank No. 2 among the all-time highest-rated recruits in Wisconsin program history.

Nolan Rucci, the younger brother of former Badgers tight end Hayden Rucci (2019-2023), went on to redshirt during the 2021 season before playing sparingly in 2022. His role remained limited in 2023, with Jack Nelson and Riley Mahlman back as the team’s starting left and right tackles, respectively. He was a part of a defining moment of that season, however, as he caught a game-winning touchdown pass from QB Braedyn Locke in the Badgers’ narrow win over Illinois.

https://twitter.com/CFBONFOX/status/1715866823537623510

Nelson and Mahlman both returned in 2024 to lead a Wisconsin offensive line that is among the best in the conference. Rucci opted to enter the transfer portal, and went on to commit to Penn State.

The former top recruit currently plays a reserve role for the 2024 Nittany Lions. He primarily sees the field in jumbo packages and other heavy-personnel formations. Otherwise, he is the team’s primary backup right tackle — and has seen some game action at the position in relief of starter Anthony Donkoh.

Donkoh should be healthy exiting the Nittany Lions’ Week 8 bye, which means Rucci is likely to see the field only in specialty situations on Saturday.

Former Wisconsin linebacker Jordan Mayer (2023) also transferred to Penn State before the 2024 season. He has yet to see the field with the Nittany Lions.

Wisconsin and Penn State will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Rucci, who now wears No. 72, should see at least some game action against his former team.

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’s Jake Renfro PFF’s highest-graded center from Week 8

Wisconsin’s Jake Renfro PFF’s highest-graded center from college football Week 8

Wisconsin center Jake Renfro was PFF’s highest-graded player at his position in college football Week 8.

The service gave Renfro an overall grade of 88.3 — nearly nine rating points better than the second-highest grade on Wisconsin’s offensive unit: WR Will Pauling’s 79.7 mark.

Related: Studs and duds from Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern: Tawee Walker continues strong play

Renfro helped the Badgers control a strong Wildcats defensive front. Wisconsin rushed for 199 yards on 4.6 yards per carry during the 23-3 win, that after Northwestern entered the contest ranked No. 9 in the nation in rush defense (87.5 yards per game, 2.9 yards per carry).

He also led the Badgers’ offensive line to allow only one sack and play yet another penalty-free game — continuing their overall dominance as a unit.

Wisconsin’s season-long statistics are continuing to reflect the team’s dominance up front and resurgent run game. The Badgers now rank No. 35 in the nation in rush offense (194 yards per game), No. 22 in sacks allowed (1.14 per game), No. 13 in tackles for loss allowed (3.57) and No. 8 in fewest penalties per game (4.00).

Renfro and the unit have a big upcoming test when No. 3 Penn State visits Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. The Nittany Lions enter with the nation’s No. 10 rush defense (95 yards per game allowed, 3.2 yards per carry), No. 14 pass defense (167.5 yards per game) and No. 6 total defense (262.5 yards per game).

Wisconsin’s offensive line will play a key role in the matchup as the Badgers look to notch a program-defining victory.

The Badgers and Nittany Lions will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT.

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 coach Luke Fickell gives injury update on WR Bryson Green entering Penn State week

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell gives injury update on WR Bryson Green for Penn State game

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell gave an update on the status of wide receiver Bryson Green during his media availability on Monday.

He described the veteran wide receiver as ‘more of a game-time decision’ entering Saturday’s game against Penn State, that after Green missed the Badgers’ last two games with a lower-body injury.

Related: Wisconsin releases updated two-deep depth chart for Week 9 game vs. Penn State

Fickell clarified that the original plan was for Green to return this week against the Nittany Lions. His status for the game, however, appears dependent on this week of practice.

Green had 12 catches for 154 yards through the Badgers’ first four games of the season. His best outing was in the team’s loss at USC — four catches for 65 receiving yards. He left Wisconsin’s win over Purdue early with a lower-body injury and has yet to return to the field.

Wisconsin would likely again turn to C.J. Williams and Vinny Anthony to play increased roles if Green is to miss a third consecutive contest.

The Badgers and Nittany Lions are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.

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 vaults up latest ESPN SP+ power rankings after win over Northwestern

Wisconsin vaults up latest ESPN SP+ power rankings after win over Northwestern

Wisconsin took another significant jump in ESPN SP+ after its 23-3 win over Northwestern on Saturday.

The victory improved the Badgers to 5-2 on the season and 3-1 in Big Ten play. It also pushed the team up from No. 32 (No. 64 on offense, No. 16 on defense) in ESPN SP+ to No. 20 (12.0 overall rating — No. 63 on offense, No. 11 on defense).

Related: ESPN FPI updates Wisconsin football win chances for remaining 2024 schedule after win over Northwestern

The Badgers are now the metric’s 5th-highest-ranked Big Ten team, behind only Ohio State at No. 1 (29.1), Oregon at No. 5 (24.6), Penn State at No. 6 (24.4) and Indiana at No. 12 (18.8). SP+’s latest update sees the Badgers inch toward the tier of the elite teams of the conference.

Wisconsin moves forward to a primetime matchup with Penn State, a game that may define each team’s season. For the Badgers, it is a chance for a program-defining upset at home in front of a national audience. The Luke Fickell era would benefit greatly from a statement performance and a true announcement of arrival.

For Penn State, it’s close to a must-win with a showdown against Ohio State on the horizon.

The Badgers remaining games after Penn State are against SP+’s No. 23 team Iowa (11.4), No. 5 Oregon (24.6), No. 32 Nebraska (9.6) and No. 42 Minnesota (7.3).

Wisconsin’s combined margin of 117-16 over its three-game win streak over Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern signals clear improvement from Fickell’s team and program. Its improved SP+ ranking reflects that.

The Badgers now have a chance to take an even further step with wins over Penn State or Oregon. They could factor into what will be a down-to-the-wire Big Ten race.

For what it’s worth, ESPN’s Bill Connelly listed the Badgers among the teams significantly overachieving compared to SP+ projects as of late. One of those signature upset victories could make the team one of the surprises of the college football season.

The Badgers and Nittany Lions will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT at Camp Randall Stadium. The game will be broadcast on NBC — streaming on Peacock.

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

How much are tickets for Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State football?

How much are tickets for Wisconsin Badgers vs. Penn State football?

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) return to Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday for a premier matchup with the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten).

The game’s weight has steadily increased over the Badgers’ three-game win streak. The team has improved from 2-2 to 5-2 in the process, showing significant growth on both sides of the football. The team’s resurgence may be great enough to bring a program-defining upset into the picture.

Penn State, meanwhile, enters Saturday after a bye week. Its upcoming two-game stretch of at Wisconsin and home against No. 4 Ohio State will mostly define its season.

Those still looking to make the trip to Camp Randall Stadium to see Saturday’s primetime contest, the ticket prices are only rising as we approach game time:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 26

Kickoff: 7:30 ET, 6:30 p.m. CT

Lowest price: $88

Median price: $170 (approximately)

Top price: $2,287

Check out all available tickets on StubHub.

For more, here is how much tickets are going for on StubHub for every Wisconsin football game this season.

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

Is ESPN College GameDay coming to Wisconsin vs. Penn State in Week 9?

Is ESPN College GameDay coming to Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Penn State in Week 9?

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) exit Week 8 winners of three consecutive games — 52-6 over Purdue, 42-7 over Rutgers and a 23-3 triumph over Northwestern.

They return home to host No. 3 Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) in Week 9. The game, which is a primetime national broadcast on NBC, has quickly become one of the biggest of the sport’s Week 9 schedule.

Related: Big Ten Power Rankings after Week 8: Wisconsin makes a charge

Other notable matchups include Nebraska at No. 4 Ohio State, No. 12 Notre Dame at No. 24 Navy, No. 20 Illinois at No. 1 Oregon, No. 21 Missouri at No. 16 Alabama, No. 5 Texas at No. 25 Vanderbilt and No. 8 LSU at No. 14 Texas A&M.

College GameDay will not be visiting any of the listed matchups. It also won’t be in Madison, Wisconsin for the Badgers’ big game against the Nittany Lions.

GameDay announced on Sunday that it would be traveling to Bloomington, Indiana for No. 13 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) against Washington (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten).

Indiana enters off a statement 56-7 victory over Nebraska. Starting QB Kurtis Rourke was injured during the win, and is now expected to miss the Washington game. But that storyline won’t overshadow Indiana becoming the talk of the college football world.

Head coach Curt Cignetti has the Hoosiers on the doorstep of College Football Playoff contention in only his first season on the job — that after taking over a program that went 3-9 in the final year under Tom Allen in 2023.

Wisconsin could potentially host GameDay in mid-November when No. 1 Oregon comes to town. The Badgers would need a win over Penn State or Iowa, or both, in order to generate sufficient hype before the matchup.

For now, the Badgers are still a step away from the national spotlight.

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

WATCH: Big Ten Network analyst explains resurgence of Phil Longo’s Wisconsin offense

WATCH: Big Ten Network analyst explains resurgence of Phil Longo’s Wisconsin offense

Big Ten Network analyst and former Michigan tight end Jake Butt took to the video board this week to break down Wisconsin’s recent resurgence, specifically on the offensive side of the football.

That resurgence has seen point totals of 52 and 42 over the last two weeks in the Badgers’ blowout victories over Purdue and Rutgers, respectively. The unit has suddenly found a balance with RB Tawee Walker running the ball effectively and QB Braedyn Locke improving by the week.

Related: 10 keys to a Wisconsin Badgers victory over the Northwestern Wildcats

Butt explained some of the reasons for Wisconsin’s night-and-day improvement on the offensive side of the football:

“It starts with the run game, and they’re finding something with Tawee Walker,” Butt began. “Well, off that run game you can start to affect the linebackers with play-action. Tawee has been a physical back, Rutgers knows they have to come downhill — bang, we’re going to rip a post right in that vacated area.”

His demonstration continued to show the different concepts and schemes Longo can build off of a strong, successful, downhill rushing attack. It also continued to show Locke’s improvement under center and his ability to threaten defenses sideline-to-sideline.

Here is the full two-minute breakdown:

Butt went on to stress the importance of the Badgers’ upcoming trip to Northwestern.

“The big question was ‘who are they going to be as a team?'” he continued. “Luke Fickell comes in and he wanted to reidentify, offensively, defensively. And that’s why these past two weeks, and this weekend, are so important. Because you talk about Wisconsin playing those opponents, now all of the sudden it’s ‘Penn State has to play Wisconsin, Oregon has to play Wisconsin.’ They’ve become a dangerous team there in the middle of the conference.”

Wisconsin is next on the field on Saturday at noon ET, 11 a.m. CT against Northwestern. Another decisive victory would build substantial momentum entering a big-time home matchup with top-ranked Penn State on Oct. 26.

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