2023 Wisconsin Badgers football team
American college football season
The 2023 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a member of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Badgers were led by first-year head coach Luke Fickell .[ 1] The team played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin .
Offseason
2023 NFL Draft
Transfers
Wisconsin outgoing transfers
Name
Number
Pos.
Height
Weight
Year
Hometown
Transfer to
Deacon Hill
#10
QB
6'3
262
Freshman
Santa Barbara, CA
Iowa
Logan Brown
#50
OL
6'6
310
Junior
Grand Rapids, MI
Kansas
Stephan Bracey
#10
WR
5'10
182
Junior
Grand Rapids, MI
Central Michigan
Graham Mertz
#5
QB
6'3
216
Junior
Overland Park, KS
Florida
Titus Toler
#41
S
5'11
180
Junior
Bellflower, CA
Boise State
Tristan Monday
#91
DE
6'4
274
Freshman
Scottsdale, AR
Arizona State
Isaac Guerendo
#20
RB
6'0
223
Senior
Clayton, IN
Louisville
Semar Melvin
#20
CB
5'11
178
Junior
Pembroke Pines, FL
Michigan State
Jaylan Franklin
#81
TE
6'4
243
Senior
Brownstown, MI
Michigan State
Dean Engram
#6
WR
5'9
170
Senior
Washington, DC
Julius Davis
#32
RB
5'10
201
Senior
Menomonee Falls, WI
Montana State
Spencer Lytle
#7
ILB
6'2
234
Senior
Redondo Beach, CA
Stanford
Avyonne Jones
#8
CB
5'11
187
Freshman
Southlake, TX
Coastal Carolina
Vito Calvaruso
#91
K
6'3
198
Senior
Jefferson City, MO
Al Ashford III
#30
CB
6'0
181
Sophomore
Denver, CO
Utah State
A'Khoury Lyde
#4
CB
5'9
191
Freshman
Wayne, NJ
Delaware
Marshall Howe
#12
QB
6'1
187
Freshman
Pacific Palisades, CA
Yale
Markus Allen
#14
WR
6'1
190
Sophomore
Clayton, OH
Drew Evans
#77
OL
6'5
260
Freshman
Fort Atkinson, WI
Indiana
Keontez Lewis*
#3
WR
6'2
196
Junior
East St. Louis, IL
Southern Illinois
Dylan Barrett*
#61
OL
6'5
320
Junior
St. Charles, IL
Iowa State
Myles Burkett*
#16
QB
6'0
202
Freshman
Franklin, WI
Albany
Ross Gengler*
#53
OLB
6'2
230
Junior
Delavan, WI
Wisconsin–La Crosse
Chimere Dike *
#13
WR
6'1
200
Senior
Waukesha, WI
Florida
Skyler Bell*
#11
WR
6'0
195
Sophomore
Bronx, NY
UConn
Jordan Mayer*
#95
OLB
6'4
235
Freshman
Jefferson Hills, PA
Penn State
Trey Wedig*
#78
OL
6'7
315
Junior
Oconomowoc, WI
Indiana
Jordan Turner*
#54
ILB
6'1
238
Junior
Farmington, MI
Michigan State
Rodas Johnson*
#56
DE
6'2
295
Senior
Columbus, OH
Texas A&M
Darian Varner*
#19
DE
6'3
275
Junior
Norfolk, VA
Cincinnati
Keane Bessert*
#60
LS
6'2
230
Freshman
Fruita, CO
Kansas State
*Entered NCAA transfer portal midseason or prior to bowl game
Wisconsin incoming transfers
Name
Number
Pos.
Height
Weight
Year
Hometown
Previous team
Nick Evers
#7
QB
6'3
186
Freshman
Flower Mound, TX
Oklahoma
Tanner Mordecai
#8
QB
6'3
214
Graduate Student
Waco, TX
SMU
Jason Maitre
#3
S
5'10
188
Graduate Student
Orlando, FL
Boston College
Darian Varner
#9
DE
6'2
260
Junior
Norfolk, VA
Temple
Joe Huber
#60
OT
6'5
310
Junior
Dublin, OH
Cincinnati
Jake Renfro
#56
OL
6'3
290
Senior
Mokena, IL
Cincinnati
Jeff Pietrowski
#47
DE
6'1
250
Junior
Lakewood, OH
Michigan State
Braedyn Locke
#16
QB
6'1
195
Freshman
Rockwall, TX
Mississippi State
Nathanial Vakos
#90
K
6'1
188
Sophomore
Avon, OH
Ohio
Will Pauling
#19
WR
5'10
165
Sophomore
Chicago, IL
Cincinnati
Quincy Burroughs
#12
WR
6'2
202
Freshman
Jacksonville, FL
Cincinnati
C.J. Williams
#8
WR
6'2
190
Sophomore
Santa Ana, CA
USC
Bryson Green
#9
WR
6'0
203
Junior
Allen, TX
Oklahoma State
Nyzier Fourqurean
#12
CB
6'1
185
Junior
Mentor, OH
Grand Valley State
Michael Mack
#9
CB
6'1
180
Junior
Potomac, MD
Air Force
Preseason
Spring game
The Badgers held a spring game titled "The Launch" on April 22, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium .[ 2]
Preseason Big Ten poll
Although the Big Ten Conference has not held an official preseason poll since 2010, Cleveland.com has polled sports journalists representing all member schools as a de facto preseason media poll since 2011. For the 2023 poll, Wisconsin was projected to finish first in the West Division.[ 3]
Media poll (West Division)
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Wisconsin
233 (20)
2
Iowa
232 (16)
3
Minnesota
176 (1)
4
Illinois
152
5
Nebraska
116
6
Purdue
89
7
Northwestern
38
Schedule
Date Time Opponent Rank Site TV Result Attendance September 2, 2023 2:30 p.m. Buffalo * No. 19 FS1 W 38–1776,224
September 9 6:30 p.m. at Washington State * No. 19 ABC L 22–3133,024
September 16 11:00 a.m. Georgia Southern * Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI BTN W 35–1475,610
6:00 p.m. at Purdue FS1 W 38–1755,529
October 7 11:00 a.m. Rutgers Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI Peacock W 24–1374,885
October 14 3:00 p.m. Iowa FOX L 6–1576,205
October 21 2:30 p.m. at Illinois FS1 W 25–2154,205
October 28 6:30 p.m. No. 3 Ohio State Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI NBC L 10–2476,453
November 4 11:00 a.m. at Indiana BTN L 14–2045,466
November 11 2:30 p.m. Northwestern Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI FS1 L 10–2476,124
November 18 6:30 p.m. Nebraska NBC W 24–17 OT 72,237
November 25 2:30 p.m. at Minnesota FS1 W 28–1448,119
11:00 a.m. vs. No. 13 LSU * ESPN2 L 31–3531,424
*Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time Source: [ 4]
Personnel
Coaching staff
Roster
2023 Wisconsin Badgers football roster
Quarterback
Running back
0 Braelon Allen – junior (6'2, 245)
1 Chez Mellusi – graduate student (5'11, 212)
20 Nate White – freshman (5'11, 170)
25 Cade Yacamelli – freshman (6'0, 213)
34 Jackson Acker – sophomore (6'1, 235)
43 Grover Bortolotti – sophomore (5'9, 192)
44 Zach Gloudeman – freshman (6'2, 218)
Wide receiver
4 C.J. Williams – freshman (6'1, 197)
5 Quincy Burroughs – freshman (6'3, 208)
9 Bryson Green – junior (6'0, 215)
11 Skyler Bell – sophomore (6'0, 195)
12 Trech Kekahuna – freshman (5'10, 180)
13 Chimere Dike – senior (6'1, 200)
15 Tommy McIntosh – freshman (6'5, 205)
19 Will Pauling – sophomore (5'10, 187)
21 Cam Fane – freshman (6'1, 184)
23 Davion Thomas – freshman (5'11, 174)
26 Grady O'Neill – freshman (5'11, 160)
27 Haakon Anderson – junior (6'1, 210)
30 Alex Moeller – sophomore (5'11, 180)
84 Christopher Brooks Jr. – freshman (6'2, 225)
86 Vinny Anthony II – sophomore (6'0, 183)
Tight end
37 Riley Nowakowski – junior (6'1, 243)
38 Tucker Ashcraft – freshman (6'5, 245)
41 JT Seagreaves – sophomore (6'6, 245)
48 Cole Dakovich – junior (6'5, 255)
49 Cam Large – junior (6'3, 237)
81 Angel Toombs – freshman (6'5, 245)
87 Hayden Rucci – senior (6'4, 253)
89 Jack Pugh – sophomore (6'5, 257)
Offensive lineman
56 Joe Brunner – freshman (6'5, 317)
57 Jake Renfro – junior (6'4, 310)
60 Joe Huber – junior (6'5, 311)
61 Dylan Barrett – junior (6'5, 320)
62 Max Rader – freshman (6'6, 283)
63 Tanor Bortolini – junior (6'4, 313)
64 Sean Timmis – sophomore (6'4, 305)
65 James Durand – freshman (6'5, 303)
66 Nolan Rucci – sophomore (6'8, 300)
67 JP Benzschawel – sophomore (6'6, 312)
70 Barrett Nelson – freshman (6'6, 292)
71 Riley Mahlman – sophomore (6'8, 315)
72 Zack Mlsna – freshman (6'7, 328)
73 Kerry Kodanko – junior (6'2, 315)
74 Michael Furtney – graduate student (6'5, 315)
76 John Clifford – freshman (6'5, 304)
77 Peyton Lange – freshman (6'9, 340)
78 Trey Wedig – junior (6'7, 315)
79 Jack Nelson – junior (6'7, 310)
Defensive lineman
19 Darian Varner – DE – junior (6'3, 275)
56 Rodas Johnson – DE – senior (6'2, 295)
58 Gabe Kirschke – DT – freshman (6'5, 250)
68 Ben Barten – DE – junior (6'5, 303)
76 Tommy Brunner – DE – senior (6'3, 250)
77 Will McDonald – DT – freshman (6'4, 254)
84 Manny Mullens – DE – sophomore (6'2, 276)
85 Nolan Vils – DT – freshman (6'2, 271)
90 James Thompson Jr. – DE – junior (6'5, 288)
91 Jamel Howard – DT – freshman (6'2, 318)
92 Curtis Neal – NT – freshman (6'0, 290)
93 Isaac Townsend – DE – senior (6'5, 277)
94 Gio Paez – DE – senior (6'3, 310)
96 Cade McDonald – DE – junior (6'6, 285)
97 Mike Jarvis – DE – sophomore (6'4, 288)
99 Isaiah Mullens – DE – graduate student (6'4, 298)
Long snappers
47 Peter Bowden – senior (6'2, 242)
60 Keane Bessert – freshman (6'2, 230)
64 Duncan McKinley – junior (6'2, 224)
69 Zach Zei – sophomore (6'2, 217)
Kicker
22 Jack Van Dyke – senior (6'5, 228)
29 Nate Van Zelst – sophomore (5'11, 200)
90 Nathanial Vakos – freshman (6'1, 200)
97 Gavin Lahm – sophomore (6'0, 216)
Punter
28 Gavin Meyers – junior (6'1, 203)
49 Atticus Bertrams – freshman (6'3, 225)
Linebacker
3 T.J. Bollers – OLB – sophomore (6'2, 270)
17 Darryl Peterson – OLB – sophomore (6'1, 245)
27 Tyler Jansey – ILB – freshman (6'0, 230)
28 Christian Alliegro – freshman (6'4, 228)
32 Marty Strey – OLB – graduate student (6'2, 235)
36 Jake Chaney – ILB – junior (5'11, 235)
39 Tatum Grass – ILB – senior (6'2, 234)
44 Jeff Pietrowski – OLB – junior (6'2, 243)
45 Garrison Solliday – ILB – sophomore (5'11, 233)
47 Evan Van Dyn Hoven – freshman (6'3, 228)
50 Aidan Vaughan – ILB – freshman (6'2, 224)
51 Bryan Sanborn – ILB – sophomore (6'1, 233)
52 Kaden Johnson – OLB – junior (6'2, 248)
53 Ross Gengler – OLB – junior (6'2, 230)
54 Jordan Turner – ILB – junior (6'1, 238)
55 Maema Njongmeta – ILB – senior (6'0, 240)
59 Aaron Witt – OLB – junior (6'6, 254)
95 Jordan Mayer – OLB – freshman (6'4, 235)
98 C.J. Goetz – OLB – graduate student (6'3, 240)
Defensive back
2 Ricardo Hallman – CB – sophomore (5'10, 185)
7 Michael Mack – CB – junior (6'1, 180)
9 Austin Brown – S – sophomore (6'1, 210)
10 Nyzier Fourqurean – CB – junior (6'1, 190)
11 Alexander Smith – CB – graduate student (5'11, 187)
12 Max Lofy – CB – junior (5'10, 189)
13 Kamo'i Latu – S – senior (6'0, 207)
14 Preston Zachman – S – sophomore (6'1, 208)
16 Amare Snowden – CB – freshman (6'4, 199)
18 Owen Arnett – S – sophomore (5'11, 212)
20 Braedyn Moore – S – freshman (6'2, 200)
21 Jonas Duclona – CB – freshman (5'10, 188)
22 Jace Arnold – CB – freshman (5'9, 186)
23 Jason Maitre – CB – senior (5'10, 188)
24 Hunter Wohler – S – junior (6'2, 210)
25 Justin Taylor – freshman (6'0, 195)
26 Travian Blaylock – S – graduate student (5'11, 208)
29 AJ Tisdell – CB – freshman (5'11, 189)
34 Charlie Jarvis – S – freshman (6'1, 205)
37 Bryce Carey – S – junior (6'1, 198)
43 Jackson Trudgeon – S – freshman (6'1, 202)
46 Deven Magli – S – freshman (6'1, 198)
Source: [ 6]
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Final AP 19 19 RV RV RV RV RV — RV — — — — — — — Coaches 21 19 RV — — RV RV — RV — — — — — — — CFP Not released — — — — — — Not released
Game summaries
Buffalo
Buffalo vs. No. 19 Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Bulls
7
3
0 7 17
No. 19 Badgers
7
7
14 10 38
at Camp Randall Stadium , Madison, Wisconsin
Date : September 2, 2023Game time : 2:30 p.m.Game weather : 88 °F (31 °C); Sunny; Wind at S13 MPHGame attendance : 76,224Referee : Kole KnueppelTV announcers (FS1 ) : Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Devin Gardner (analyst)[1]
Game information
First quarter
WIS – Chez Mellusi 1-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 7:16 Wisconsin 7–0 Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 3:53.
BUF – Cole Harrity 7-yard pass from Cole Snyder (Alex McNulty kick), 5:07. Tied 7–7. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 2:09.
Second quarter
WIS – Chimere Dike 29-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Nathanial Vakos kick), 1:00. Wisconsin 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:08.
BUF – Alex McNulty 53-yard field goal, 0:07. Wisconsin 14–10. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 0:53.
Third quarter
WIS – Chez Mellusi 89-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 8:28 Wisconsin 21–10 Drive: 1 plays, 89 yards, 0:15.
WIS – Braelon Allen 6-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 2:37 Wisconsin 28–10 Drive: 8 plays, 97 yards, 3:13.
Fourth quarter
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 37-yard field goal, 13:45. Wisconsin 31–10. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 2:56.
BUF – Cole Harrity 3-yard pass from Cole Snyder (Alex McNulty kick), 7:43. Wisconsin 31–17. Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 0:40.
WIS – Braelon Allen 22-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 6:38 Wisconsin 38–17 Drive: 3 plays, 46 yards, 1:05.
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Chez Mellusi – 13 rushes, 157 yards, 2 TD
BUF – Mike Washington – 12 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers
WIS – Will Pauling – 5 receptions, 55 yards
BUF – Cole Harrity – 5 receptions, 47 yards, 2 TD
Top defenders
WIS – Hunter Wohler – 11 tackles
BUF – Shaun Dolac – 8 tackles, 1 TFL, INT
at Washington State
No. 19 Wisconsin vs. Washington State – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 19 Badgers
3
6
13 0 22
Cougars
7
17
0 7 31
at Martin Stadium , Pullman, Washington
Date : September 9, 2023Game time : 6:30 p.m.Game weather : 84 °F (29 °C); Sunny; Wind at NE6 MPHGame attendance : 33,024Referee : Tyler WadekamperTV announcers (ABC ) : Mark Jones (play-by-play), Louis Riddick (analyst), and Quint Kessenich (sideline)[2]
Game information
First quarter
WSU – Kyle Williams 4-yard pass from Cam Ward (Dean Janikowski kick), 5:34. Washington State 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 4:02.
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 49-yard field goal, 1:07. Washington State 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 29 yards, 4:21.
Second quarter
WSU – Lincoln Victor 1-yard pass from Cam Ward (Dean Janikowski kick), 14:10. Washington State 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 87 yards, 1:44.
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 34-yard field goal, 10:17. Washington State 14–6. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 3:53.
WSU – Dean Janikowski 46-yard field goal, 7:14. Washington State 17–6. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 3:03.
WSU – Brennan Jackson 2-yard fumble return (Dean Janikowski kick), 2:08. Washington State 24–6. 0:41.
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 29-yard field goal, 0:21. Washington State 24–9. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 1:47.
Third quarter
WIS – Chez Mellusi 2-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 6:15 Washington State 24–16 Drive: 7 plays, 34 yards, 3:58.
WIS – Skyler Bell 16-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (failed 2-point conversion attempt by Chez Mellusi), 0:25. Washington State 24–22. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:08.
Fourth quarter
WSU – Nakia Watson 1-yard run (Dean Janikowski kick), 5:30. Washington State 31–22 Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 3:49.
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Chez Mellusi – 12 rushes, 49 yards, 1 TD
WSU – Cam Ward – 17 rushes, 43 yards
Top receivers
Top defenders
Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern vs. Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Eagles
0
7
7 0 14
Badgers
0
7
21 7 35
at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Date : September 16, 2023Game time : 11:00 a.m.Game weather : 69 °F (21 °C); Cloudy; Wind at NW4 MPHGame attendance : 75,610Referee : Tim O'DeyTV announcers (BTN ) : Mark Followill (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analyst) and Elise Menaker (sideline)[3]
Game information
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
WIS – Tanner Mordecai 1-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 14:18 Wisconsin 7–0 Drive: 11 plays, 70 yards, 4:40.
GASO – OJ Arnold 4-yard run (Michael Lantz kick), 12:11 Tied 7–7 Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 2:03.
Third quarter
GASO – Jjay Mcafee 25-yard pass from Davis Brin (Michael Lantz kick), 12:33. Georgia Southern 14–7. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:04.
WIS – Braelon Allen 4-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 10:53 Tied 14–14 Drive: 5 plays, 58 yards, 1:35.
WIS – Tanner Mordecai 18-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 7:40 Wisconsin 21–14 Drive: 6 plays, 40 yards, 1:59.
WIS – Braelon Allen 2-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 0:39 Wisconsin 28–14 Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:05.
Fourth quarter
WIS – Chez Mellusi 1-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 5:51 Wisconsin 35–14 Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 3:41.
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Braelon Allen – 12 rushes, 94 yards, 2 TD
GASO – OJ Arnold – 10 rushes, 66 yards, 1 TD
Top receivers
WIS – Chimere Dike – 3 receptions, 57 yards
GASO – Derwin Burgess Jr. – 8 receptions, 124 yards
Top defenders
WIS – Hunter Wohler – 10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 2 INT
GASO – Marques Watson-Trent – 8 tackles
at Purdue
Wisconsin vs. Purdue – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Badgers
14
7
6 11 38
Boilermakers
3
0
14 0 17
at Ross-Ade Stadium , West Lafayette, Indiana
Date : September 22, 2023Game time : 6:00 p.m.Game weather : 79 °F (26 °C); Cloudy; Wind at SE4 MPHGame attendance : 55,529Referee : Jeffrey ServinskiTV announcers (FS1) : Tim Brando (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analyst)[4]
Game information
First quarter
WIS – Tanner Mordecai 14-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 10:05 Wisconsin 7–0 Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 3:25.
WIS – Tanner Mordecai 6-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 3:26 Wisconsin 14–0 Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 2:44.
PUR – Julio Macias 34-yard field goal, 0:17. Wisconsin 14–3. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 3:09.
Second quarter
WIS – Braelon Allen 14-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 6:36 Wisconsin 21–3 Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 8:41.
Third quarter
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 38-yard field goal, 11:44. Wisconsin 24–3. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 3:07.
PUR – Tyrone Tracy Jr. 19-yard run (Julio Macias kick), 8:42 Wisconsin 24–10 Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:02.
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 22-yard field goal, 3:54. Wisconsin 27–10. Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 4:48.
PUR – Hudson Card 6-yard run (Julio Macias kick), 0:00 Wisconsin 27–17 Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:54.
Fourth quarter
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 48-yard field goal, 12:52. Wisconsin 30–17. Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 2:01.
WIS – Braelon Allen 4-yard run (Tanner Mordecai pass), 3:35 Wisconsin 38–17 Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 1:27.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top defenders
WIS – James Thompson Jr. – 6 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 1 PD
PUR – Sanoussi Kane – 9 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 PD
Rutgers
Rutgers vs. Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Scarlet Knights
0
0
6 7 13
Badgers
3
14
0 7 24
at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Date : October 7, 2023Game time : 11:00 a.m.Game weather : 49 °F (9 °C); Sunny; Wind at NW13 MPHGame attendance : 74,885Referee : Ron SnodgrassTV announcers (Peacock ) : Brendan Burke (play-by-play), Kyle Rudolph (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (sideline)[5]
Game information
First quarter
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 39-yard field goal, 11:44. Wisconsin 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 3:16.
Second quarter
WIS – Braelon Allen 18-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 4:28 Wisconsin 10–0 Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 2:29.
WIS – Ricardo Hallman 95-yard interception (Nathanial Vakos kick), 0:04 Wisconsin 17–0
Third quarter
RUT – Aaron Young 10-yard pass from Evan Simon (Jai Patel missed kick), 1:26. Wisconsin 17–6 Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 5:02.
Fourth quarter
WIS – Tucker Ashcraft 3-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Nathanial Vakos kick), 10:51. Wisconsin 24–6 Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 5:35.
RUT – Ian Strong 11-yard pass from Gavin Wimsatt (Jai Patel kick), 4:07. Wisconsin 24–13 Drive: 3 plays, 21 yards, 0:35.
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Braelon Allen – 21 rushes, 101 yards, 1 TD
RUT – Gavin Wimsatt – 9 rushes, 43 yards
Top receivers
WIS – Will Pauling – 8 receptions, 68 yards
RUT – Isaiah Washington – 3 receptions, 53 yards
Top defenders
WIS – C.J. Goetz – 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL
RUT – Wesley Bailey – 4 tackles, 2 sack, 2 TFL
Iowa
Iowa vs. Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Hawkeyes
0
7
0 8 15
Badgers
0
0
6 0 6
at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Date : October 14, 2023Game time : 3:00 p.m.Game weather : 54 °F (12 °C); Cloudy; Wind at N17 MPHGame attendance : 76,205Referee : Chris CoyteTV announcers (FOX ) : Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), and Allison Williams (sidelines)[6]
Game information
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
IOWA – Leshon Williams 82-yard run (Drew Stevens kick), 11:49 Iowa 7–0 Drive: 3 plays, 90 yards, 1:20.
Third quarter
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 36-yard field goal, 9:55. Iowa 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 5:01.
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 52-yard field goal, 3:58. Iowa 7–6. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:55.
Fourth quarter
IOWA – Drew Stevens 48-yard field goal, 13:08. Iowa 10–6. Drive: 6 plays, 28 yards, 2:44.
IOWA – Braedyn Locke sacked for a safety, 12:55. Iowa 12–6 .
IOWA – Drew Stevens 40-yard field goal, 1:55. Iowa 15–6. Drive: 5 plays, 17 yards, 1:06.
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Braelon Allen – 18 rushes, 87 yards
IOWA – Leshon Williams – 25 rushes, 174 yards, 1 TD
Top receivers
WIS – Bryson Green – 5 receptions, 86 yards
IOWA – Erick All – 2 receptions, 19 yards
Top defenders
WIS – Alexander Smith – 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL
IOWA – Sebastian Castro – 7 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 PD
at Illinois
Wisconsin vs. Illinois – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Badgers
0
7
0 18 25
Fighting Illini
7
7
7 0 21
at Memorial Stadium , Champaign, Illinois
Date : October 21, 2023Game time : 2:30 p.m.Game weather : 69 °F (21 °C); Sunny; Wind at NW21 MPHGame attendance : 54,205Referee : Kole KnueppelTV announcers (FS1 ) : Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Devin Gardner (analyst)[7]
Game information
First quarter
ILL – Tanner Arkin 1-yard pass from Luke Altmyer (Caleb Griffin kick), 6:07. Illinois 7–0 Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 2:39.
Second quarter
ILL – Tip Reiman 3-yard pass from Luke Altmyer (Caleb Griffin kick), 2:12. Illinois 14–0 Drive: 12 plays, 82 yards, 7:53.
WIS – Braelon Allen 4-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 0:31 Illinois 14–7 Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 1:37.
Third quarter
ILL – Kaden Feagin 12-yard run (Caleb Griffin kick), 4:30 Illinois 21–7 Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 4:57.
Fourth quarter
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 41-yard field goal, 14:13. Illinois 21–10. Drive: 12 plays, 52 yards, 5:17.
WIS – Will Pauling 20-yard pass from Braedyn Locke (Riley Nowakowski pass), 7:21. Illinois 21–18 Drive: 10 plays, 82 yards, 3:25.
WIS – Nolan Rucci 3-yard pass from Braedyn Locke (Nathanial Vakos kick), 0:27. Wisconsin 25–21 Drive: 14 plays, 83 yards, 2:57.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top defenders
No. 3 Ohio State
No. 3 Ohio State vs. Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
No. 3 Buckeyes
3
7
7 7 24
Badgers
0
3
7 0 10
at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Date : October 28, 2023Game time : 6:30 p.m.Game weather : 40 °F (4 °C) • Wind: S at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h) • Weather: CloudyGame attendance : 76,453Referee : Larry SmithTV announcers (NBC ) : Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), and Kathryn Tappen (sideline reporter)[8]
Game information
First quarter
OSU – Jayden Fielding 27-yard field goal, 8:09. Ohio State 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 2:53.
Second quarter
OSU – Marvin Harrison Jr. 16-yard pass from Kyle McCord (Jayden Fielding kick), 10:36. Ohio State 10–0 Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 2:57.
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 19-yard field goal, 0:00. Ohio State 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 5:09.
Third quarter
WIS – Will Pauling 13-yard pass from Braedyn Locke (Nathanial Vakos kick), 12:30. Tied 10–10 Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:30.
OSU – Marvin Harrison Jr. 19-yard pass from Kyle McCord (Jayden Fielding kick), 7:14. Ohio State 17–10 Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:16.
Fourth quarter
OSU – TreVeyon Henderson 33-yard run (Jayden Fielding kick), 5:15 Ohio State 24–10 Drive: 3 plays, 45 yards, 1:30.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top defenders
at Indiana
Wisconsin vs. Indiana – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Badgers
0
7
7 0 14
Hoosiers
7
10
0 3 20
at Memorial Stadium , Bloomington, Indiana
Date : November 4, 2023Game time : 11:00 a.m.Game weather : 61 °F (16 °C) • Wind: SW at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) • Weather: SunnyGame attendance : 45,466Referee : Mark KluczynskiTV announcers (BTN ) : Cory Provus (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst), and Brooke Fletcher (sideline reporter)[9]
Game information
First quarter
IU – Brendan Sorsby 8-yard run (Chris Freeman kick), 9:59 Indiana 7–0 Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:53.
Second quarter
IU – Chris Freeman 27-yard field goal, 8:08. Indiana 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 33 yards, 3:12.
WIS – Bryson Green 54-yard pass from Braedyn Locke (Nathanial Vakos kick), 4:11. Indiana 10–7 Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 1:50.
IU – Donaven McCulley 7-yard pass from Brendan Sorsby (Chris Freeman kick), 0:41. Indiana 17–7 Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 3:24.
Third quarter
WIS – Will Pauling 18-yard pass from Braedyn Locke (Nathanial Vakos kick), 10:14. Indiana 17–14 Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:46.
Fourth quarter
IU – Chris Freeman 50-yard field goal, 1:10. Indiana 20–14. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 2:57.
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Cade Yacamelli – 10 rushes, 48 yards
IU – Josh Henderson – 15 rushes, 40 yards
Top receivers
WIS – Bryson Green – 4 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD
IU – Donaven McCulley – 5 receptions, 67 yards, 1 TD
Top defenders
WIS – Jordan Turner – 8 tackles, 1 sack, 3.0 TFL, QB hurry
IU – Aaron Casey – 9 tackles, 2 sacks, 4.0 TFL, forced fumble
Northwestern
Northwestern vs. Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Wildcats
7
17
0 0 24
Badgers
3
0
0 7 10
at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Date : November 11, 2023Game time : 2:30 p.m.Game weather : 45 °F (7 °C) • Wind: S at 8 miles per hour (13 km/h) • Weather: CloudyGame attendance : 76,124Referee : Larry SmithTV announcers (FS1 ) : Chris Myers (play-by-play), Robert Smith (analyst)[10]
Game information
First quarter
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 33-yard field goal, 10:25. Wisconsin 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 4:30.
NU – A.J. Henning 23-yard pass from Ben Bryant (Jack Olsen kick), 4:12. Northwestern 7–3 Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 6:08.
Second quarter
NU – Ben Bryant 1-yard run (Jack Olsen kick), 12:54 Northwestern 14–3 Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:08.
NU – Camron Johnson 24-yard pass from Ben Bryant (Jack Olsen kick), 6:41. Northwestern 21–3 Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 3:32.
NU – Jack Olsen 28-yard field goal, 1:06. Northwestern 24–3. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 4:23.
Third quarter
No scoring
Fourth quarter
WIS – Jackson Acker 3-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 00:11 Northwestern 24–10 Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 3:27.
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Cade Yacamelli – 9 rushes, 47 yards
NU – Cam Porter – 18 rushes, 72 yards
Top receivers
Top defenders
WIS – Hunter Wohler – 10 tackles, 1.0 TFL
NU – Devin Turner – 10 tackles
Nebraska
Nebraska vs. Wisconsin – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Cornhuskers
14
0
0 3 0 17
Badgers
0
10
7 0 7 24
at Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin
Date : November 18, 2023Game time : 6:30 p.m.Game weather : 44 °F (7 °C) • Wind: W at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h) • Weather: ClearGame attendance : 72,237Referee : Chris CoyteTV announcers (NBC ) : Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst) and Kathryn Tappen (sideline reporter)[11]
Game information
First quarter
NEB – Chubba Purdy 55-yard run (Tristan Alvano kick), 11:33 Nebraska 7–0 Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:27.
NEB – Jaylen Lloyd 58-yard pass from Chubba Purdy (Tristan Alvano kick), 6:00. Nebraska 14–0 Drive: 6 plays, 76 yards, 3:35.
Second quarter
WIS – Jackson Acker 26-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Nathanial Vakos kick), 6:37. Nebraska 14–7 Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 3:47.
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 33-yard field goal, 1:54. Nebraska 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 35 yards, 2:00.
Third quarter
WIS – Braelon Allen 2-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 7:47 Wisconsin 17–14 Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 4:31.
Fourth quarter
NEB – Tristan Alvano 30-yard field goal, 0:04. Tie 17–17. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:33.
Overtime
WIS – Braelon Allen 3-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 0:00 Wisconsin 24–17 Drive: 8 plays, 25 yards, 0:00.
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
WIS – Will Pauling – 8 receptions, 79 yards
NEB – Billy Kemp – 8 receptions, 43 yards
Top defenders
WIS – Jordan Turner – 9 tackles, 1.0 sack, 1.5 TFL
NEB – Marques Buford Jr. – 10 tackles, 1.5 TFL
at Minnesota
Wisconsin vs. Minnesota – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Badgers
0
14
14 0 28
Golden Gophers
7
7
0 0 14
at Huntington Bank Stadium , Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date : November 25, 2023Game time : 2:30 p.m.Game weather : 31 °F (−1 °C) • Wind: SW at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy/Light snowGame attendance : 48,119Referee : Larry SmithTV announcers (FS1 ) : Jeff Levering (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst)[12]
Game information
First quarter
MINN – Jordan Nubin 1-yard run (Dragan Kesich kick), 12:21 Minnesota 7–0 Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 2:34.
Second quarter
WIS – Braelon Allen 5-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 13:04 Tie 7–7 Drive: 11 plays, 86 yards, 5:16.
MINN – Daniel Jackson 7-yard pass from Athan Kaliakmanis (Dragan Kesich kick), 4:30. Minnesota 14–7 Drive: 11 plays, 71 yards, 5:36.
WIS – Will Pauling 11-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Nathanial Vakos kick), 2:38. Tie 14–14 Drive: 4 plays, 75 yards, 1:52.
Third quarter
WIS – Braelon Allen 4-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 9:24 Wisconsin 21–14 Drive: 2 plays, 54 yards, 0:25.
WIS – Riley Nowakowski 5-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Nathanial Vakos kick), 0:10. Wisconsin 28–14 Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 4:55.
Fourth quarter
No scoring
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Braelon Allen – 26 rushes, 165 yards, 2 TD
MINN – Jordan Nubin – 24 rushes, 93 yards , 1 TD
Top receivers
WIS – Chimere Dike – 2 receptions, 46 yards
MINN – Daniel Jackson – 9 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD
Top defenders
WIS – Hunter Wohler – 12 tackles, QB hurry
MINN – Cody Lindenberg – 11 tackles, 1.0 TFL
vs No. 13 LSU (ReliaQuest Bowl)
2024 ReliaQuest Bowl (January)
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Wisconsin
14
7
10 0 31
No. 13 LSU
0
14
14 7 35
at Raymond James Stadium , Tampa, Florida
Date : January 1, 2024Game time : 11:00 a.m.Game weather : 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind: N at 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/h) • Weather: CloudyGame attendance : 31,424Referee : Mark DuddyTV announcers (ESPN2 ) : Brian Custer (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst) and Lauren Sisler (sideline reporter)[13]
Game information
First quarter
WIS – Bryson Green 20-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Nathanial Vakos kick), 8:28. Wisconsin 7–0 Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards, 2:15.
WIS – Will Pauling 53-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Nathanial Vakos kick), 0:23. Wisconsin 14–0 Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards, 0:28.
Second quarter
LSU – Harold Perkins 1-yard run (Nathan Dibert kick), 6:00 Wisconsin 14–7 Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 3:11.
LSU – Kaleb Jackson 12-yard run (Nathan Dibert kick), 1:28 Tie 14–14 Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 2:28.
WIS – Will Pauling 9-yard pass from Tanner Mordecai (Nathanial Vakos kick), 0:47. Wisconsin 21–14 Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 0:41.
Third quarter
WIS – Jackson Acker 33-yard run (Nathanial Vakos kick), 12:14 Wisconsin 28–14 Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:46.
LSU – Brian Thomas Jr. 38-yard pass from Garrett Nussmeier (Nathan Dibert kick), 10:33. Wisconsin 28–21 Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:36.
LSU – Chris Hilton Jr. 14-yard pass from Garrett Nussmeier (Nathan Dibert kick), 4:44. Tie 28–28 Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 3:10.
WIS – Nathanial Vakos 21-yard field goal, 1:18. Wisconsin 31–28. Drive: 6 plays, 42 yards, 3:19.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
WIS – Jackson Acker – 14 rushes, 86 yards, 1 TD
LSU – Josh Williams – 12 rushes, 51 yards
Top receivers
Top defenders
Awards and honors
Weekly Awards
Player
Award
Date awarded
Ref.
Braedyn Locke
Big Ten Freshman Player of the Week
October 23, 2023
[ 7]
Individual Awards
Player
Award
Ref.
Braelon Allen
Second Team All-Big Ten Offense (Media)/Third Team All-Big Ten Offense (Coaches)
[ 8]
Hunter Wohler
Second Team All-Big Ten Defense (Media)/Third Team All-Big Ten Defense (Coaches)
[ 8]
Ricardo Hallman
Third Team All-Big Ten Defense (Media)/Honorable Mention Defense (Coaches)
[ 8]
Tanor Bortolini
Third Team All-Big Ten Offense (Media)/Honorable Mention Offense (Coaches)
[ 8]
Will Pauling
Third Team All-Big Ten Offense (Coaches)/Honorable Mention Offense (Media)
[ 8]
Nathanial Vakos
Honorable Mention Special Teams (Media)
[ 8]
2024 NFL Draft
References
^ Thamel, Pete (November 27, 2022). "Wisconsin brings in Cincinnati's Luke Fickell as coach" . ESPN .
^ "The Launch" . uwbadgers.com . Retrieved February 4, 2023 .
^ Baird, Nathan (July 25, 2023). "Michigan clear favorite over Ohio State in 13th annual cleveland.com Preseason Big Ten Football Poll" . Cleveland.com .
^ "2023 Football Schedule" . University of Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved December 19, 2022 .
^ "2023 Football Coaching Staff" . uwbadgers.com . Wisconsin Badgers. Retrieved December 21, 2022 .
^ "2023 Football Roster" . uwbadgers.com . Retrieved January 16, 2023 .
^ "Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin Earn Weekly Football Honors" . Big Ten Conference. October 23, 2023. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023 .
^ a b c d e f "Big Ten Conference Announces Football All-Conference Teams for Offense and Select Individual Honors" . Big Ten Conference . Big Ten Conference. November 29, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023 .
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