Troy Fumagalli

Badgers shot at playoffs ends in Indy

December 3, 2017 By Bill Scott

The Wisconsin Badgers chance at a berth in the College Football Playoffs disappeared with a 27-21 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis. The loss ended a perfect season and Wisconsin’s 13-game winning streak, which dated back to their Cotton Bowl victory over Western Michigan last season.

The College Football Playoff committee will release its final top four teams at 11am CT on Sunday morning. The Badgers, with their soft schedule, won’t be among the final four teams. But the Badgers could still secure a spot in a New Years Day bowl game.

Wisconsin (12-1) fell to Ohio State (11-2) for the sixth straight game and dropped their third Big Ten title game since 2014.

The Buckeyes beat the Badgers with the big play. Quarterback J.T. Barrett tossed touchdown passes of 84 and 57 yards and running back J.K. Dobbins added a 77-yard run that set up a 1-yard touchdown keeper by Barrett.

The Buckeyes, who entered the game averaging 43.8 points and 529.8 yards a game, racked up 309 yards in the first half alone and took a 21-10 lead into the locker room at halftime. [Read more…]

Chryst named Big Ten Coach of the Year

November 30, 2017 By Bill Scott

Paul Chryst

Last season, Wisconsin Badger coach Paul Chryst shared Big Ten Coach of the Year honors with Penn State’s James Franklin. After leading the Badgers to a 12-0 record this season, Chryst was voted unanimously as the Coach of the Year by the coaches and media.

Chryst is the first back-to-back winner since Northwestern’s Gary Barnett captured consecutive honors in 1995 and 1996. His Badgers will face Ohio State in the Big Ten title game on Saturday night (7:17 p.m.) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Tight end Troy Fumagalli was named the Kwalick-Clark tight end of the year. The former walk-on leads Wisconsin in receptions with 38 and is second in receiving yards (471) and is tied for second in touchdown catches with four.

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor was named the league’s freshman of the year after capturing Freshmen of the Week honors a record eight times during the regular season.

Taylor led the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 150.5 yards a game. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns.

Penn State’s Saquon Barkley was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. Iowa’s Josey Jewell was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Badgers survive upset bid by Georgia State

September 18, 2016 By Bill Scott

The Wisconsin Badgers went into Saturday’s game against Georgia State as 34 1/2 point favorites. The outcome was much different from what was anticipated.

Wisconsin’s defense was stellar as usual in the first half, but the Badgers managed a 6-0 lead at the break.

The Badgers came out of the locker room and increased that lead to 13-0, after Paul Chryst pulled quarterback Bart Houston for redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook.

It was at that point that the Panthers scored a pair of touchdowns and jumped out in front 17-13 early in the fourth quarter.

Georgia State used a quick passing game and didn’t allow the Badger pass rushers to make an impact.

The Badgers were able to regain the lead when Hornibrook tossed a short touchdown pass. They would add a Rafael Gaglianone field goal and then get a big defensive stop to hang on for the win. [Read more…]

Erickson provides endorsement for proud walk-on program

December 2, 2015 By Bill Scott

Badger WR Alex Erickson (86) (Photo by David Stluka)

Wide receiver Alex Erickson has provided another ringing endorsement for the Wisconsin football team’s walk-on program.

The former walk-on from Darlington was named a first-team all-Big Ten pick by the media and a second-team pick by the coaches.

Erickson leads the Badgers in receptions (72) and receiving yards (924).

Erickson is third in the Big Ten in receiving yards per game (77.0) and needs 76 more yards in Wisconsin’s upcoming bowl game to become the fourth player in school history with a 1,000-yard receiving season.

Redshirt senior offensive tackle Tyler Marz was named a second-team pick by the media and a third-team pick by the coaches.

Redshirt sophomore tight end Troy Fumagalli was a consensus honorable mention pick and redshirt freshman Michael Deiter was named honorable mention by the media.

Badgers could be shorthanded against Nebraska

October 6, 2015 By Bill Scott

Alex Erickson (Photo by David Stluka)

The Wisconsin Badgers are preparing to be without two of their top offensive weapons when they take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday.

Tight end Austin Traylor suffered an arm injury in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s Big Ten opener against Iowa and is out indefinitely. Wide receiver Alex Erickson suffered a concussion in the third quarter of the 10-6 loss to the Hawkeyes and is going through the teams concussion protocol. He is not expected to be ready to play this week.

Erickson leads the Badgers in receptions with 26 and receiving yards with 350. Traylor has 10 catches for 156 yards and three touchdowns.

Troy Fumagalli is expected to take Traylor’s spot and be backed up by Eric Steffes.