Tag: Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin vs Nebraska injury report: Badgers without two star players vs. Cornhuskers

Wisconsin vs Nebraska injury report: Badgers without two star players vs. Cornhuskers

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) will be without two of their star players when they battles Nebraska (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) on Saturday.

Those are safety Hunter Wohler and wide receiver Will Pauling. Both left the second half of the team’s Week 12 loss to Oregon with injuries. Neither was ready to return for Saturday’s matchup.

Wohler leads Wisconsin in tackles (63) and pass deflections (six) through 12 games. He’s arguably the team’s most important player on either side of the football. Pauling, meanwhile, is second on the team in receiving yards (407) and leads in receiving touchdowns (three).

In other recent news, Nebraska will be without starting cornerback Tommi Hill against Wisconsin. The veteran had been battling a foot injury since the start of the season. Rhule announced this week that he’d miss the team’s final two regular season games.

As Wisconsin and Nebraska near kickoff, here are the official injury reports from each team:

Wisconsin injury report

OUT: S Hunter Wohler, WR Will Pauling, RB Chez Mellusi (for season), QB Tyler Van Dyke (for season), WR Joseph Griffin (for season), S Kamo’i Latu, QB Cole LaCrue, OL Evan Brown, OL Leyton Nelson, TE Rob Booker

QUESTIONABLE: DL James Thompson Jr., LB Jaheim Thomas

Nebraska injury report

OUT: CB Tommi Hill, K Tristan Alvano, OL Turner Corcoran, OT Tyler Knaack

QUESTIONABLE: RB Rahmir Johnson, OL Micah Mazzccua

Hunter Wohler injury update

Wohler left the end of Wisconsin’s narrow loss to Oregon with an injury after a tough collision. He went straight into the locker room, indicating the injury was serious. He is out against Nebraska.

Will Pauling injury update

Pauling exited during the second half of Wisconsin’s loss to Oregon. He was a key factor of the Badgers’ win over Nebraska in 2023. His absence is a big loss on an offense that needs a spark.

James Thompson Jr. injury update

James Thompson Jr. suffered a significant upper-body injury during training camp. He’s been listed as ‘out’ all season leading up to this week. The top lineman is now ‘questionable’ against Nebraska.

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Wisconsin football schedule: Are the Badgers playing today? 

Is Wisconsin playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come. 

Will the Wisconsin Badgers be on the field today in Week 13 of the 2024 college football season?

Following a tough Week 12 loss to No. 1 Oregon, the Badgers are back on the field on Saturday against the rival Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Wisconsin enters the matchup with a 5-5 overall record and a 3-4 mark in Big Ten play. It needs one more win over its final two games to clinch bowl eligibility. Nebraska enters Saturday in the same situation — 5-5 on the season, amid a long losing streak and badly needing one more win to clinch a postseason berth.

Wisconsin and Nebraska will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. CT from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The game will be available on the Big Ten Network and streaming on Fox Sports.

Here is a full look at what Wisconsin has left before the 2024 regular season concludes.

Wisconsin 2024 football schedule

  • Aug. 30: vs. Western Michigan (W, 28-14)
  • Sept. 7: vs. South Dakota (W, 27-13)
  • Sept. 14: vs. Alabama (L, 42-10)
  • Bye Week
  • Sept. 28: at USC (L, 38-21)
  • Oct. 5: vs. Purdue (W, 52-6)
  • Oct. 12: at Rutgers (W, 42-7)
  • Oct. 19: at Northwestern (W, 23-3)
  • Oct. 26: vs. Penn State (L, 28-13)
  • Nov. 2 at Iowa (L, 42-10)
  • Bye Week
  • Nov. 16 vs. Oregon (L, 16-13)
  • Nov. 23 at Nebraska
  • Nov. 30 vs. Minnesota
  • Record: 5-5 (3-4 Big Ten)

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Expert score prediction: Nebraska vs. Wisconsin

Who will win on Saturday?

Another week, another attempt to get win number six. Nebraska hosts the Wisconsin Badgers with both teams sitting at 5-5 and signs point to the Huskers defeating the Badgers.

Wisconsin’s got a big disadvantage. They’re on a three-game skid, lost a low-scoring 16-13 battle with No. 1 Oregon, fired its offensive coordinator and are playing in Lincoln on Senior Day. 

But this is still Nebraska, a team whose last trip to a bowl game occurred in 2016, a team on a 10-game losing streak against Wisconsin, a team that any opponent would prefer to play in November. 

Nebraska’s issues remain the same. Outside of a Ceyair Wright’s pick-six, the Trojans sliced up the Blackshirts secondary. Though some passes found a USC receiver’s hands by luck, others fell right into an open Trojan’s hands. 

It also struggled to stop running back Woody Marks, the second running back this year Nebraska fully allowed to get the better of it. 

However, the Badgers’ struggles do allow for potential rebound by the Huskers. Along with its offense making a sudden change at play caller, Nebraska’s defense is presented with a chance to hold an opponent to 20 or fewer points for the first time since the first week of October. 

Indiana and Ohio State are some of the toughest teams in the nation. UCLA was building momentum, and USC’s quarterback fit more into Lincoln Riley’s system. All played a part in Nebraska’s already struggling defense being pressured further. 

Braedyn Locke has been inconsistent this season. His main strength is hitting the deep shot receiver or the quick slant, both of which Nebraska needs to prioritize. However, the run game is just as important, with Tawee Walker averaging 4.8 yards per carry this season. 

Locke’s inconsistency lately gives the Blackshirts an opportunity to bounce back properly compared to their previous four quarterbacks. However, Wisconsin’s change in offensive coordinator makes it more unpredictable than ever, which in turn acts more as a disadvantage for the Blackshirts until proven otherwise. 

As for Wisconsin’s defense just held No. 1 Oregon to 16 points, its fewest in a game all season. But in Oregon’s defense, it played in Madison under the lights and looked to control the game offensively instead of dominating it. 

Holgorsen now has a game under his belt as offensive coordinator for the Huskers and knows more of the offense’s strengths and weaknesses during a game. 

But it’s likely going to be another one-score game, and once again, recent history shows a win by Nebraska in November by one-score is more surprising than anything else.  

Unfortunately, despite the look, history is most likely going to continue. 

Score Prediction: Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 21

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Florida men’s basketball to compete in 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational

The Gators join Kansas, Providence and Wisconsin in the 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational.

Florida men’s basketball is set to participate in the 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational in San Diego, Sports San Diego officials announced on Thursday.

The Gators will compete alongside the Kansas Jayhawks, Providence Friars and Wisconsin Badgers, with first round games held on Thanksgiving Day and the championship and third place games following on Friday.

Tip off times and matchups will be revealed later, with all games set to air nationally on FOX or FS1.

“Quite simply this is an amazing field,” said Mark Neville, CEO of Sports San Diego. “It was our goal to bring top college basketball teams to our event and these teams fit that mold. We can’t wait for next year.”

Kansas is expected to be one of the headliners while Providence and Wisconsin bring strong traditions of success. For the Gators, this event offers an opportunity to measure themselves against elite competition early in the season.

With a national audience tuning in, the tournament could serve as a critical moment for the Gators to showcase their growth and build momentum for the season ahead.

The 2025 Rady Children’s Invitational is scheduled for Nov. 27-28, 2025. $5 from every ticket sold will be going to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

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Wisconsin’s 2012 running back room might be the best of all-time

Wisconsin’s 2012 running back room might be the best all-time

The Wisconsin Badgers’ 2012 running back room may go down as one of the greatest in college football history.

That season, the Badgers rostered Melvin Gordon, Montee Ball and James White. Both Ball (2012) and Gordon (2014) would go on to win a Doak Walker Award, an honor annually awarded to the nation’s top running back, while White left Wisconsin ranked No. 4 all-time in rushing yards.

When considering the best backfields ever, one typically envisions USC’s duo of Reggie Bush and LenDale White in 2005, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy on the 2010 Alabama Crimson Tide, or even Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb and Sony Michel on the 2014 Georgia Bulldogs.

While the debate surrounding the most prestigious college football backfield may be unanswered, the trio’s most dominant output in a single game is unrivaled.

In the Badgers’ 71-30 victory over Nebraska at the 2012 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the three combined for 524 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

Gordon, who would become the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2014, tallied nine carries for a team-high 219 yards and one 56-yard touchdown.

Ball, who received the Doak Walker Award just five days after the blowout win, registered 21 touches for 202 yards and three touchdowns. Like Gordon, he also ripped off a 50-yard score.

White, Wisconsin’s all-purpose back, accounted for 119 rushing yards and four touchdowns with a long run of 68 yards in the third quarter.

All three would go on to play in the NFL, with White winning three Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots.

Now, Wisconsin deploys running back Tawee Walker, a veteran back with the sixth-most rushing yards in the Big Ten. Wisconsin running backs have a long history of dominance over the rival Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Badgers need Walker to channel that form for the team to pull off a much-needed victory on Saturday.

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers: Series history, all-time record

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers: Series history, all-time record

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) will travel to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-5, 2-5 Big Ten) at Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 p.m. CT. It will be the 18th all-time meeting between the two programs.

The Badgers own a 13-4 overall advantage. They’ve won the last 10 matchups dating back to 2012 — that streak began with Wisconsin defeating Nebraska 70-31 in the Big Ten Championship game in December of 2012.

In that contest, the Badgers compiled 529 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground with their three-headed backfield attack. Montee Ball turned 21 carries into 202 yards and three touchdowns, James White had 109 yards and four scores on 15 carries, while Melvin Gordon added nine carries for 216 yards and a touchdown.

Wisconsin fell to No. 1 Oregon 16-13 in Week 12 and they were in a very similar position when they squared off with Nebraska last season, entering the game with a 5-5 overall record. The Badgers knocked off the Cornhuskers in overtime 24-17 at Camp Randall.

Nebraska enters Saturday’s matchup having lost four games in a row after a 5-1 start to the year, dropping their contest against USC 28-20 on the road last weekend.

Although the Badgers have a 13-4 advantage all-time, they are just 4-3 in games against the Cornhuskers on the road, leaving the door open for Nebraska to snap its extensive losing streak.

Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time flip of Jaylen Williams from Michigan

Where Wisconsin’s class of 2025 ranks nationally after big-time flip of Jaylen Williams from Michigan

Wisconsin made a significant move in the class of 2025 on Wednesday, flipping four-star defensive lineman Jaylen Williams from Big Ten rival Michigan.

Williams instantly becomes the second-highest-rated commit in the Badgers’ class of 2025. He trails only four-star linebacker Mason Posa, 247Sports’ No. 163 player in the class.

Related: Everything Luke Fickell said about the Phil Longo firing, Badgers’ offensive plan moving forward

The addition moves Luke Fickell’s 2025 group to 24 total commitments. His addition led to a sizable jump in the 247Sports national team rankings, rising from No. 29 up to No. 25.

That rise brought the class up to No. 9 in the new Big Ten, now trailing Ohio State (No. 2 overall), Oregon (No. 8), USC (No. 13), Michigan (No. 14), Penn State (No. 16), Washington (No. 18), Nebraska (No. 21) and Maryland (No. 24).

Importantly, Williams’ addition also brings Wisconsin’s Blue Chip Ratio (portion of four and five-star recruits in the overall class) to 29%.

Wisconsin’s class has been in flux with several recent additions (Williams, DL Drayden Pavey, TE Emmett Bork) and decommitments (DL Wilnerson Telemaque, LB Brenden Anes). Williams appears to be one of the program’s final moves in the class.

Attention will now turn to four-star QB Carter Smith, who was on campus for the Badgers’ game against Oregon and is now reportedly deciding between Wisconsin and Florida State.

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Badgers class of 2025 LB commit named Wisconsin’s top senior linebacker

Badgers class of 2025 LB commit named Wisconsin’s top senior linebacker

Wisconsin class of 2025 linebacker commit Cooper Catalano was named the 2024 recipient of the John Anderson Award on Wednesday.

The honor annually recognizes the most outstanding senior linebacker in Wisconsin. Catalano, who committed to UW’s program nearly one year ago, was the obvious choice for the honor.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound game-wrecker registered 178 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, one fumble recovery, three forced fumbles and three interceptions for Germantown High School this season. On top of that, he became Wisconsin’s all-time career tackles leader in late September after he recorded tackle No. 463 with the program.

Since that point, he’s added over 100 more tackles to his total.

247Sports considers Catalano the No. 894 overall recruit, No. 92 linebacker and No. 7 recruit from the state of Wisconsin for the class of 2025. He earned offers from the likes of Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, and Michigan State before ultimately deciding to join the Badgers.

Outside Catalano, two other class of 2025 linebackers have committed to Wisconsin — four-star Mason Posa and three-star Samuel Lateju.

The award is named after John Anderson, a former Waukesha South star in the 1970s who became the Green Bay Packers’ all-time leader in tackles before his retirement in 1989.

Badgers class of 2025 commit earns Kevin Stemke Award for top Wisconsin specialist

Badgers class of 2025 commit earns Kevin Stemke Award for top Wisconsin specialist

Wisconsin class of 2025 commit Erik Schmidt was named the 2024 recipient of the Kevin Stemke Award on Wednesday.

The award is presented annually to the top Wisconsin high school senior specialist — kicker or punter. Schmidt joins fellow in-state 2025 recruit Cooper Catalano to receive an honor from the Wisconsin Sports Network Senior Football Awards — Catalano who notably set the state record for tackles at the high school level in September.

Schmidt is widely considered one of the nation’s best kickers in the class, and is ranked as a five-star by Kohl’s. The outlet has Schmidt as the No. 1 punter in the nation and No. 8 kicker, per the Wisconsin Sports Network.

This season, Schmidt has converted 9-of-12 field goals and all 57 extra-point attempts. He also averaged over 45 yards per punt. Most notably, the Marquette University High School attendee drilled a 55-yard field goal in the 2024 playoffs.

The 6-foot-1 prospect committed to Wisconsin in late June over walk-on opportunities at Notre Dame, Boston College and Michigan. He projects to join a specialist group currently headlined by kicker Nathanial Vakos and punter Atticus Bertrams.

Based off his recruiting profile, he won’t take long to contribute for Luke Fickell’s program.

Dan Lanning weaponized the Jump Around dance to lead Oregon to beat Wisconsin

Oregon was prepared to hear Jump Around and it REALLY paid off.

Oregon football head coach Dan Lanning has continued to embarrass his opponents this season, now adding Wisconsin as a new target.

During the latest episode of “Ducks vs Them” released on Tuesday, fans got an inside look at how Lanning was able to rally Oregon during a comeback road victory against the Badgers on Saturday.

One of the main strategies was to use the song “Jump Around” as a primary motivator. Camp Randall Stadium, where Wisconsin plays home football games, has that song play between the third and fourth quarter like how the Ducks have “Shout” at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

Lanning spoke to his players and said that “everybody know what time it is” when that “Jump Around” song comes on.

The video then took fans behind-the-scenes to practice on Monday, when Lanning walked into a team meeting blasting “Jump Around” by House of Pain.

Relating it back to Pavlov’s dog, while showing videos of Wisconsin fans dancing to the song, he said when when Wisconsin plays this song, it is meant to evoke a response from the opposing players. Lanning agreed, but he wanted to control what message it sent.

“In this game and throughout this week, you are going to hear this song. It’s going to release dopamine in your mind. It’s going to tell you that you’re hungry to go win. Whenever we hear this, I want our temperature to change. I want the temperature in the room to change. When we hear it at practice, it’s about to get serious. When that song comes on at practice, I want you to reset your mind for what you’re about to do.”

Fans then saw Oregon players dancing to “Jump Around” during practices before the game.

The coach wanted his players to “enjoy the moment” when it shows up and to “take advantage” of it. The video then cuts to the Ducks enjoying themselves on the field when “Jump Around” actually plays between the third and fourth quarter.

Not only did the players dance but The Duck mascot also jumped around on a pogo stick.

Oregon then went for it on fourth down as Dillon Gabriel competed a very difficult pass to tight end Terrance Ferguson.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Ducks, who looked like the far better team following this sudden tonal change. Oregon eventually secured a pick to win the game with a much-needed interception by Matayo Uiagalelei.

Back in the locker room, Lanning chose to “crank that song” and play “Jump Around” to celebrate the win.

During postgame press conferences, several from the Ducks (including Lanning) explained their reasoning for the “Jump Around” celebration.

This was incredibly clever maneuvering from Lanning, who has shown boldness and creativity during Oregon’s first season in a new conference.

Oregon remains undefeated with one game left in the regular season and has earned a berth in the Big Ten Football Championship Game before the next College Football Playoff.

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