Tag: Tawee Walker

Best photos from Wisconsin’s impressive win over Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Best photos from Wisconsin’s impressive win over Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Wisconsin Badgers defeated Rutgers 42-7 on Saturday afternoon on the road in Piscataway, New Jersey. The team improved to 6-0 all-time against the Scarlet Knights, while impressively notching its second-straight contest with 40 points and more than 500 total yards.

Running back Tawee Walker had himself a monster day, turning 24 carries into 198 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. It was his third straight multi-score game, as he’s notched eight rushing touchdowns over the last three contests.

As a whole, the Badgers churned out 309 rushing yards in the game, while both quarterback Braedyn Locke and running back Darrion Dupree also scored touchdowns with their legs.

As a passer, Locke completed 20 of 28 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown while also throwing an interception in the victory. Locke and wide receiver Will Pauling connected on a 16-yard score early in the first quarter, giving the Badgers an early 7-0 lead.

Wisconsin was also dominant on the defensive side of the ball, holding quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to 12 completions on 32 pass attempts for 103 yards and an interception (Preston Zachman, 3rd quarter). Additionally, Rutgers star running back Kyle Monangai was limited to just 72 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

The Badgers will look to make it three wins in a row when they head to Evanston to take on Northwestern in Week 8. In the meantime, here are some of the best photos from Wisconsin’s impressive win:

WATCH: Badgers RB Tawee Walker caps dominant first half with touchdown vs. Rutgers

WATCH: Badgers RB Tawee Walker caps dominant first half with touchdown vs. Rutgers

Wisconsin running back Tawee Walker continued his strong play during the first half of the Badgers’ Week 7 game at Rutgers.

The veteran running back took 18 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown during the half of the contest as the Badgers built a strong two-touchdown lead.

Walker was fantastic in most down-and-distance situations. He and the Badgers ran the ball well in short-yardage situations, on first-and-10 and in every scenario in between, excelling behind a Wisconsin offensive line that continues to play like the best unit on the team.

Walker’s strong first half is highlighted by this two-yard touchdown plunge with time winding down in the first quarter. Wisconsin faced a 4th-and-1 from the Rutgers 2-yard-line. QB Braedyn Locke handed the shotgun snap to Walker, who had little trouble crossing the goal line.

Wisconsin failed to add any further points onto its lead over Rutgers. The Badgers currently sit in halftime with a 14-0 advantage on the scoreboard after a dominant half in every facet.

Walker’s continued emergence is great news for a Wisconsin team that is in search of an offensive identity. He should continue to be a focal point once the second half kicks off.

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Best photos from Wisconsin’s dominant win over Purdue Boilermakers

Photo gallery from Wisconsin’s dominant win over Purdue Boilermakers

The Wisconsin Badgers defeated Purdue 52-6 on Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall Stadium. It was the team’s 18th consecutive victory against their Big Ten rival and the largest margin of victory in the series’ history.

Quarterback Braedyn Locke completed 20 of 31 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns while also throwing two interceptions. He became the first Wisconsin QB to throw for more than 300 yards in a Big Ten game since Joel Stave in 2015.

On the receiving end, wide receiver Trech Kekahuna had himself a day, reeling in six catches for 134 yards and two touchdowns, including a 69-yard score in the third quarter. Vinny Anthony also added a touchdown through the air, scoring with a 52-yard catch and run in the first half.

The Badgers’ dominance wasn’t only through the air, however, as the team also combined for 228 rushing yards on 41 carries. Tawee Walker led the way with 19 totes for 94 yards and three touchdowns, securing his second straight multi-touchdown performance.

The Badgers will look to make it back-to-back wins when they travel to face Rutgers in Piscataway on Saturday in Week 7. In the meantime, here are some of the best photos from Wisconsin’s big win:

Wisconsin lead running back reaches end zone three times against Purdue

Wisconsin lead running back reaches end zone three times against Purdue

Wisconsin senior running back Tawee Walker continued his dominance on the ground for UW on Saturday against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Walker, who recorded a pair of touchdowns in the Badgers’ Week 5 loss to the No. 13 USC Trojans, finished with 94 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns before a packed crowd at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.

The former Oklahoma running back’s final touchdown of the day encapsulated his performance for the entirety of Saturday’s game. On third down, Walker fielded a handoff from quarterback Braedyn Locke and powered through multiple Purdue defenders before crossing the goal line.

Here’s the full sequence:

On the day, Walker averaged a stellar 4.9 yards per carry. As opposed to UW wide receivers Trech Kekahuna and Vinny Anthony II, who ripped off plays of 50+ yards against Purdue, Walker’s longest rush of Saturday was 17 yards.

Still, he captained a group responsible for 236 total rush yards against Purdue’s struggling defensive unit. UW’s offensive line prevented the Boilermakers from wrecking any type of havoc during the second half and enabled Walker and company to flourish.

While Wisconsin has utilized a committee of running backs throughout the entirety of 2024, Walker’s contributions will only increase going forward. UW veteran running back Chez Mellusi recently announced his departure from the program, creating an opportunity for Walker to become Wisconsin’s starting back for the rest of the year.

Wisconsin reaches home game scoring milestone in win vs. Purdue

Wisconsin reaches home game scoring milestone in win vs Purdue

Wisconsin football recorded its most points in a Big Ten home game since 2014 in its 52-6 victory over Purdue on Saturday.

The last time UW surpassed the 52-point mark at home came against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2014 (59 points). Former UW running back legend Melvin Gordon recorded an FBS-record 408 rushing yards in the triumph. At the time, Nebraska held the No. 16 ranking in the country while Wisconsin boasted the Associated Press’ No. 20 position in the nation’s hierarchy.

The Badgers absolutely dominated the Boilermakers on both the offensive and defensive end in the blowout home victory. The win marks UW’s 18th consecutive triumph over Purdue and the most points against the Boilermakers since the Badgers’ 62-point output in 2011.

Wisconsin accumulated 597 combined passing and rushing yards on the day. Quarterback Braedyn Locke threw for 359 passing yards and three touchdowns on the day, and wide receiver Trech Kekahuna reeled in a career-best six passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

Running back Tawee Walker also led Wisconsin’s backfield with 94 rushing yards three touchdowns. He, alongside Dilin Jones, Cade Yacamelli, Darrion Dupree and Gideon Ituka, accounted for 234 rushing yards behind a sturdy offensive line.

While Purdue is far from the Big Ten’s best, the output is a big victory for the Badgers following a 38-21 debacle against the USC Trojans a weekend ago. The team will continue its journey towards bowl season against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Oct. 12.

Wisconsin running back rotation gains clarity entering Week 6 matchup vs. Purdue

Wisconsin has a new starting running back:

This story was updated to add new information.

Wisconsin’s running back depth chart is gaining clarity entering the team’s Week 6 matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers.

The team had been rotating several primary running backs through the first four games of the season. Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker split the bulk of the carries, with Cade Yacamelli and true freshman Darrion Dupree also seeing work.

Related: 10 keys to Wisconsin Badgers bounce-back victory over Purdue Boilermakers

The stats through four games were as follows:

  • Mellusi: 4 games 56 carries, 232 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns
  • Walker: 3 games 38 carries, 147 yards, 3 touchdowns
  • Yacamelli: 4 games, 21 carries, 153 yards
  • Dupree: 3 games, 16 carries, 61 rushing yards

Mellusi’s surprising departure from the program on Thursday indicated what could soon follow at the position: Walker emerging as the Badgers’ lead running back.

WOZN’s Zach Heilprin’s observations from early warmups confirms that move to Walker as the No. 1 running back:

Heilprin’s note that Walker is ‘still wearing a large brace on his right knee’ is worth monitoring as Saturday’s game kicks off. The distribution of snaps and carries will be one big storyline to watch when the Badgers have the football.

Wisconsin and Purdue will kick off at noon ET, 11 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

UPDATE (11:31 a.m. ET): Wisconsin’s team warmups saw Dupree as the No. 2 running back behind Walker, then Yacamelli at No. 3

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BREAKING: Wisconsin leading rusher stepping away from Badgers program

Some big news for the Badgers entering Saturday vs Purdue

Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi is stepping away from the Badgers program, according to a report from BadgerExtra’s Colten Bartholomew.

The Wisconsin program said in a release that Mellusi is stepping away “to continue rehabbing injuries that prevented him from playing to his expectation.”

Related: A look at Wisconsin football’s updated two-deep depth chart after Chez Mellusi’s departure

Those injuries cost Mellusi significant time in 2021, 2022 and 2023, each of his three seasons with the Badgers. They include a torn ACL (2021), a broken arm (2022) and a broken leg and ankle (2023).

The veteran returned to the field for the Badgers in 2024. However, according to the program’s statement to BadgerExtra, Mellusi’s “body hasn’t responded the way he expected.”

Here is the full report:

Mellusi leads Wisconsin with 232 rushing yards through four games in 2024. Cade Yacamelli is next with 153 yards followed by Tawee Walker with 147.

The Clemson transfer is up to 392 carries, 1,826 yards and 18 touchdowns in his four-year Wisconsin career. Those totals come in 26 games.

This news comes days after Luke Fickell publicly expressed his desire for the Badgers to find a lead running back during the rest of the 2024 season. The room has been crowded with snaps going to Mellusi, Walker, Yacamelli and true freshman Darrion Dupree.

“We’re going to have to give some guys opportunities early in games and have to ride with them a little bit more,” Fickell said on Monday. “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.”

This news leaves Walker likely leading the backfield, with Yacamelli operating as the primary backup.

Mellusi’s future is uncertain after this news. He could redshirt this season, given he has only played in four games, and return for a seventh season in 2025.

Wisconsin’s new backfield will get a first shot at finding a new rhythm when Purdue (1-3) visits Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.

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Photo gallery from Wisconsin’s disappointing loss to No. 13 USC Trojans

Photo gallery from Wisconsin’s disappointing loss to No. 13 USC Trojans

The Wisconsin Badgers football team lost to USC 38-21 on Saturday. It was the second straight blowout loss for Luke Fickell’s squad.

Wisconsin was coming off of their bye week and quarterback Braedyn Locke took over as the full-time starter following Tyler Van Dyke’s season-ending knee injury versus Alabama on Sept. 14.

The Badgers took advantage of three first h-lf turnovers from the Trojans, taking a 21-10 lead into the break with running back Tawee Walker scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter.

The second half was the complete opposite story for Wisconsin as they fumbled a punt return, which led to a USC touchdown on the following possession. They also failed to convert on fourth down deep in Trojans’ territory in the third quarter.

USC quarterback Miller Moss hit his stride following halftime, throwing for two touchdowns in the second half, while also adding a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown.

Braedyn Locke finished his day with 180 passing yards and a touchdown, while also throwing a pick-six to Mason Cobb in the fourth quarter. Tawee Walker compiled 55 yards and two scores on 12 carries.

For USC, Miller Moss produced 308 passing yards and three touchdowns while adding 17 rushing yards and a score on five rushes. Wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane had a monster day, reeling in 10 catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns.

The Badgers will look to get back on track when they host Purdue at Camp Randall on Saturday in Week 6. In the meantime, here are some of the best pictures from Wisconsin’s Week 5 loss to the Trojans:

Wisconsin leaves two key players off pregame injury report vs. Alabama

Wisconsin two key players off pregame injury report vs. Alabama

Wisconsin key playmakers RB Tawee Walker and CB Xavier Lucas are off the pregame injury report for the Badgers’ marquee matchup against No. 4 Alabama.

Walker missed Wisconsin’s 27-13 Week 2 win due to an injury, while Lucas suffered a minor injury during the contest. Both appear good to go for Week 3 vs. the Crimson Tide.

Related: 10 keys to Wisconsin Badgers pulling a program-defining upset against Alabama

Walker’s return to the backfield is big news, though the Badgers did well in his absence with the combination of senior Chez Mellusi (16 carries, 60 yards, 2 touchdowns) and redshirt sophomore Cade Yacamelli (8 carries, 73 yards). The Oklahoma transfer will likely return to leading the Badgers’ rushing attack against a strong Alabama defense.

Lucas, meanwhile, will get to continue his breakout as only a true freshman. He is the only player on Wisconsin’s roster to record an interception through two weeks. His return to the lineup adds much-needed depth as the Badgers attempt to corral an explosive Alabama passing attack.

Those on the pregame status report include starting tight end Riley Nowakowski and depth offensive lineman Barrett Nelson, both listed as questionable.

Wisconsin and Alabama are set for a noon ET, 11 a.m. CT kickoff on Fox.

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Luke Fickell gives update on RB Tawee Walker, CB Xavier Lucas for Week 3 vs. Alabama

Luke Fickell gives update on RB Tawee Walker, CB Xavier Lucas for Week 3 vs. Alabama

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell offered no update on running back Tawee Walker and safety Xavier Lucas’ ability entering the Badgers Week 3 game vs. Alabama.

Walker, who rushed for 15 rushes for 66 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 vs. Western Michigan, missed the entirety of Wisconsin’s Week 2 bout vs. South Dakota.

True freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas, responsible for two total tackles (one solo) and an interception against the Broncos during UW’s opening contest, left the South Dakota game early after colliding with a concrete barrier following a pass-defending sequence.

Nonetheless, head coach Luke Fickell remains optimistic ahead of UW’s most significant game of the season against the No. 4 Crimson Tide.

“I’m hopeful and I would expect that everybody’s able to play, but we’ll have to push that as we get going during the week,” Fickell told reporters on Monday.

https://twitter.com/Evan_Flood/status/1833192752256794768

Ideally, both dynamic playmakers will lace up for the Badgers on Saturday. While UW’s running back committee of Cade Yacamelli, Chez Mellusi, Darrion Dupree and Jackson Acker performed well against South Dakota, Wisconsin will need all of its the playmakers to compete with one of college football’s best programs.