It wasn’t pretty, but the Wisconsin Badgers 3-6 (1-5) found a way to get it done Saturday, knocking off the No. 23 Washington Huskies 6-3 (3-3) 13-10 as sleet — and thousands of students — poured onto the field.
The win is Wisconsin’s first against a ranked team since 2021 and snaps a six game losing streak in a vintage Big Ten thriller few saw coming.
It was also a glimmer of hope for Badger fans who rushed the field, with thousands spilling out of the north end zone when time expired.
True freshman quarterback Carter Smith made his Badger debut midway through the first quarter after Danny O'Neil sustained a lower body injury.
Despite going 3-of-12 on pass attempts and averaging 3.1 yards per carry, the freshman showed glimmers of promise in a run-heavy scheme, providing a rushing touchdown and a 16-yard carry on the night.
When asked what Smith gave to the team, head coach Luke Fickell said, “A chance. He gave us hope.”
Similar to Wisconsin, Washington’s offense didn’t produce anything in the first quarter, turning the ball over on downs and being forced into two three-and-outs.
A missed 48-yard field goal attempt by Nathaniel Vakos left the Badgers scoreless in the first quarter as well. However, the kicker’s successful 42-yard redeeming field goal with 13:39 in the second quarter put the Badgers on the board first.
Washington responded with a 42-yard field goal of their own, followed by a 8-yard sack on O’Neil. Washington junior linebacker Anthony Ward blocked the resulting punt attempt, and the Huskies recovered on Wisconsin’s 1-yard line. Washington quickly scored, taking a 10-3 lead with 07:44 in the second quarter.
After another failed offensive drive by the Badgers, the teams’ defense stepped up, with Ricardo Hallman intercepting a poorly thrown ball in the endzone for a touchback.
On the first drive of the second half, the Badgers went deep in their bag of tricks to jump their offense. Punter Sean West delivered a 24-yard strike to tight end Jackson Acker on a fake punt, converting the fourth down. The drive would go on to stall out at midfield, but that 24-yard pass was good enough to make West the Badger’s leading passer for the game — a testament to how sloppy and disjointed Saturday was.
Wisconsin true freshman linebacker Mason Posa forced a fumble on the next drive and recovered the ball on Washington’s 7-yard line.
Smith ran for five yards before punching the ball in on 2nd and 2 to even the score at 10 with 6:29 on the clock.
Wisconsin’s defense remained relentless, getting a stop on the ensuing possession. Their offense managed to get upfield on the next drive, which resulted in a 32-yard field goal from Vakos.
Even amidst a snowstorm, Wisconsin’s student section was revived going into the fourth quarter with a 13-10 lead.
The Huskies decided to test a 50-yard field goal with 10:48 left to go in the game, amid swirling, snowy skies and were denied by the long reach of 6’5” Badger defensive lineman Ben Barten, who blocked the attempt.
The Badgers held the lead behind valiant defensive efforts from Posa and true freshman linebacker Cooper Catalano.
Posa ended the contest with six solo tackles, 2.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Catalano put up 19 total tackles, with 12 solo tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
After the Badgers stalled out on their last drive, Washington had one final shot from their own 20 yard line with 2:53 left. And when his team needed him, it was Posa again who came up with the huge stop, sacking quarterback Demond Williams Jr. on a 4th and 6 to seal it.
The students rushed the field, bringing energy back into what has been a lifeless Camp Randall Stadium for months.
Players and coaches alike expressed feelings of relief after the game.
“It just feels incredible," Wisconsin offensive tackle Riley Mahlman said after the game. “You kind of have these thoughts in the back of your mind. I didn't know if I was ever going to win another game as a Wisconsin Badger. That was just the reality.”
Fickell said, “It feels really good; let’s just say that.”
The Badgers will travel to No. 2 Indiana next Saturday at 11 a.m, looking to carry their momentum and salvage an otherwise disappointing season.
