Wisconsin football

Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Jay Shaw (1) shows the Badgers W before the team photo as part of Wisconsin Badgers football media day at Camp Randall Stadium in ...

With how much Wisconsin lost, specifically in the linebacker room, it’s remarkable how we are talking about this defense headed into 2022. This is a game where a second quarterback may come in late with the outcome already decided, but which quarterback will it be? Instead, he took on the role of kickoff specialist that will go to Jack Van Dyke for the Badgers. After an injury to backup quarterback Chase Wolf that will likely result in missing the entire season, where does Wisconsin go at backup quarterback? The Badgers will be featuring a defense with limitless potential and a number of new faces. While the outcome likely won’t be in question late into the Madison night, there are a number of key areas Wisconsin can show improvement in.

The Redbirds of Illinois State University will make the 200 mile trip north on Saturday to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in each team's opening game of the 2022 ...

[Cedrick Dort](https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/cedrick-dort-jr-/11064) will start at nickleback on Saturday. [Jay Shaw](https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/jay-shaw/11066) is another transfer who will start in the defensive backfield for Wisconsin Saturday. The Badgers met Spack and the Boilermakers [ eight times ](https://uwbadgers.com/documents/2022/8/29/Gm1_WIS_ISU_Game_Notes_220903.pdf)in those 12 seasons, with Wisconsin winning five of the eight games. [17 starters ](https://goredbirds.com/news/2022/8/31/football-redbirds-set-to-open-2022-season-under-the-lights-at-wisconsin.aspx)from a season ago. In five Read…](https://badgerherald.com/sports/2022/04/28/football-how-braelon-allen-fits-mold-to-be-non-quarterback-heisman-trophy-winner/) [Mellusi, ](https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/roster/chez-mellusi/11018)a Clemson transfer in his second year at Wisconsin, was the Badgers starting running back for the first nine games last season. Vandenburgh is a hard-hitting linebacker that has played in [41 games ](https://goredbirds.com/sports/football/roster/zeke-vandenburgh/10283)at Illinois State. Allen arrived at Wisconsin as a linebacker, but was quickly moved to the offensive side of the ball. Mertz, now in his third season as a starter, has struggled for the majority of his Wisconsin career. The Montana transfer was a monster last season in his first year at Illinois State. Mueller is a preseason second-team all Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) selection after finishing 15th in the FCS in rushing yards a season ago. [ 14th season](https://goredbirds.com/news/2022/8/31/football-redbirds-set-to-open-2022-season-under-the-lights-at-wisconsin.aspx) in Normal, Spack is the program’s all-time leader for wins with 89 [.](https://goredbirds.com/news/2022/8/31/football-redbirds-set-to-open-2022-season-under-the-lights-at-wisconsin.aspx) He has brought the Red Birds five playoff appearances, including a trip to the FCS National Championship in 2014.

Just a few moments later, Braelon Allen was able to break off the longest run in Wisconsin football history. The Fond Du Lac native took it 96 yards after ...

The Wisconsin Badgers will play against a Division II opponent, the Illinois State Redbirds, in an early-season tune-up Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Camp Randall ...

- Follow: Regional restrictions may apply.) After a 9-4 record last season and a win in the Las Vegas Bowl, Wisconsin is coming in with an eye to spark another quality season.

As expected, the Wisconsin football is making life hard for the Illinois State Redbirds, and perhaps no play has summed up how wide the...

After this assignment against the Redbirds, the Badgers will take on the Washington State State Cougars and the New Mexico State Aggies over the next two weeks before a major showdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus. In 2021, Wisconsin football was fifth in the nation with a 63.98 rush play percentage and 18th overall with 210.8 rushing yards per game. In his freshman year in Madison in 2021, He rushed for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns on 186 rushing attempts.

Find out how to watch, live stream or TV channel and game time information for the College Football matchup between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Illinois ...

Illinois State at Wisconsin Illinois State Players to Watch Wisconsin and Illinois State Stats - Wisconsin turned the ball over 23 times last year, while Illinois State had two takeaways. Illinois State Keep reading below for all the info you need, which includes

Braelon Allen and John Torchio both did something in the first half that never before had been done in the history of Wisconsin Badgers football.

Why UW would get in: The Badgers were the third-highest-ranked team to not win a conference title. The Badgers tallied ranked wins against Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota, the last of which clinched the Big Ten West division. What made the Badgers good: A stellar defense posted four shutouts and Jonathan Taylor put together a second Doak Walker-award winning season. The Badgers had an undefeated regular season featuring two wins over ranked opponents, and their lone loss was a one-possession game against a one-loss Ohio State team. Only three opponents scored 20 or more points against UW, and the Badgers were 2-1 in those games. What made the Badgers good: A stellar backfield of Montee Ball, John Clay and James White led the way while quarterback Scott Tolzien completed 72.9% of his passes, a school record that still stands. 5 in the final BCS bowl standings and earning a trip to the Rose Bowl. Montee Ball, James White and Melvin Gordon ran wild in the backfield and UW scored 44.1 points per game. The board voted for a 12-team model consisting of the six highest-ranked conference champions and six highest-ranked at-large teams. However, the Badgers only played one AP-ranked team — No. Here are the five most recent times the Badgers would have been playoff-bound had 12 teams qualified for the playoffs. The sophomore broke the record held by James White, who ran for a 93-yard touchdown against Indiana on Nov.

Braelon Allen is settling into the 2022 season, and he was off to the races on a huge carry early in action against Illinois State.

Both scores for the Badgers in the Week 1 opener have come from long range. One defender was able to stick with Allen for a little while, but his desperation dive came up short. Check it out:

Paul Chryst's team produced over 440 total yards and scored 38 points while holding the Redbirds to just 243 yards of total offense – kicking the 2022 college ...

The Jewelry Thief took one 100 yards to the house – somewhere, Collin Wilder is smiling. QB Graham Mertz: After a difficult season as the Badgers QB1, all eyes were on the Kansas native in the season opener. Despite carrying the ball just 14 times, the Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin native, ran for 148 yards and two touchdowns. The sophomore running back looked patient, strong, and intentional with his runs. That is until ‘the jewelry thief,’ John Torchio, read Illinois State quarterback Zack Annexstad like an open book and recorded a 100-yard pick-six to put the Badgers up 7-0. Wisconsin’s Graham Mertz (5) thrpws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois State Saturday, Sept.

The Wisconsin Badgers will play against a Division II opponent, the Illinois State Redbirds, in an early-season tune-up on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Camp ...

The Badgers ended up 9-4 last season and capped things off with a win over the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Las Vegas Bowl, so they are on the hunt for another strong season. The Wisconsin Badgers will play against a Division II opponent, the Illinois State Redbirds, in an early-season tune-up on Saturday at 7 p.m. What a way to start the season 🤌— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball)

The Badgers defeated the Redbirds 38-0 behind strong performances from Graham Mertz, Braelon Allen and their defense.

That is a program record for the longest interception return. Much of that is because of the on-field success demonstrated by the Badgers across the decades. Torchio read the eyes of Illinois State (0-1) quarterback Zack Annexstad and snagged a pass over the middle, then sprinted down the Badgers’ sideline for a 100-yard touchdown, the longest play in program history. Plays like that that move that chains and avoid drives ending will only make the Badgers better down the road. The Badgers appeared to be playing in quicksand early in their season opener, as they were a step late to a number of plays and made costly mental errors that kept Illinois State drives alive. UW knew it wouldn’t match last season’s defense in terms of being great from the first snap.

A collection of photos from the Wisconsin Badgers football team's season opener against Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium.

Jim Polzin grades the Wisconsin Badgers football team's performance in its season opener against Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium. A collection of photos from the Wisconsin Badgers football team's season opener against Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium. Photos: Wisconsin opens football season against Illinois State

Wisconsin's John Torchio celebrates his interception return for a touchdown during Saturday's game against Illinois State at Camp Randall Stadium. Morry Gash, ...

The two on defense led to Illinois State first downs. Jake Kocorowski has covered University of Wisconsin football since 2013 and joined the Wisconsin State Journal team in May 2022. Fifth-year senior John Torchio perfectly read Illinois State quarterback Zack Annexstad on a third-and-7 from the UW 9, picking off a pass at the goal line and taking it 100 yards to the south end zone to nullify the Redbirds’ scoring opportunity. Fourth-year junior Graham Mertz finished 6 of 7 for only 59 yards, but all of his throws were on target. UW fans witnessed some spectacular snaps during the first half that included two 90-yard plus plays touchdowns. Here are three observations from the first half.

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers defeated Illinois State 38-0 at Camp Randall Stadium. Both times the Badgers saw the end zone in the ...

Chryst was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Illinois State in 1995. “You got to make sure our guys are prepared and we play good football and sound football.” This is the first meeting between Wisconsin and Illinois State.