Faion Hicks
FILE - Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in Madison, Wisc., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Wisconsin has produced defenses that have ranked among the nation’s stingiest virtually every year since Jim Leonhard took over as coordinator in 2017. Leonhard faces perhaps his biggest challenge in maintaining that standard this year. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Wisconsin defense faces major challenge in bid to stay elite

By Steve Megargee Apr. 22, 2022 11:27 AM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin has boasted one of the nation's stingiest defenses

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) throws the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Wisconsin at Minnesota 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 05:57 PM EST

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass as Nebraska linebacker Damian Jackson (38) closes in during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Gophers lean on leader Morgan as surging Badgers, Axe arrive

By Dave Campbell Nov. 26, 2021 10:11 AM EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tanner Morgan got the game ball for Minnesota last week, a

Wisconsin safety Collin Wilder (18) celebrates after intercepting a Nebraska pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Grit helped No. 18 Wisconsin bounce back from slow start

By Steve Megargee Nov. 24, 2021 05:37 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin is on the verge of completing a rare turnaround.

Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen (0) breaks away for a touchdown run against Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Allen carries No. 19 Wisconsin to 35-28 win over Nebraska

By Steve Megargee Nov. 20, 2021 07:14 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Braelon Allen continued a tradition of Wisconsin running

Wisconsin wide receiver Stephan Bracey (10) returns a kickoff for a touchdown against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Nebraska at Wisconsin 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 05:39 PM EST

Michigan players Luke Schoonmaker (86) and Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrate after defeating Penn State 21-17 in an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Big Ten in A1 position for CFP berth, or even being shut out

By Tom Canavan Nov. 16, 2021 03:42 PM EST
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — With two weeks left in the regular season, the Big Ten

Wisconsin's Braelon Allen breasks into the end zone for a topuchdwon run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Northwestern at Wisconsin 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 01:17 PM EST

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson, right, is tackled by Maryland defensive back Tarheeb Still after making a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. Penn State won 31-14. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Catching on: Big Ten receivers putting up some big numbers

By Andrew Seligman Nov. 09, 2021 02:58 PM EST
Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba cut toward the middle, turned and caught a

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral is hit by Illinois defensive back Sydney Brown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Vedral left the game for medical attention but returned later. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Hot Wisconsin brings nation's top-ranked defense to Rutgers

By Tom Canavan Nov. 04, 2021 11:51 AM EDT
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — A month into the season, there was a lot of discussion

Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) celebrates a touchdown on an interception against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Wisconsin at Purdue 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 04:51 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Chez Mellusi runs past Army's Jaylen Jacobs during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 25 Purdue tries to build momentum against Wisconsin

By The Associated Press Oct. 21, 2021 05:10 PM EDT
Wisconsin (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) at No. 25 Purdue (4-2, 2-1), Saturday at 3 p.m.

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watchs his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against Michigan Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Michigan at Wisconsin 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 11:41 AM EDT

Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame at Wisconsin 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws against Purdue during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stingy Wisconsin defense readies for Coan, Fighting Irish

By Steve Megargee Sep. 20, 2021 03:45 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin ranks second in the nation in total defense. The

Eastern Michigan's Freddie McGee III breaks up a pass intended for Wisconsin's Danny Davis III during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Mellusi powers No. 18 Wisconsin past Eastern Michigan 37-7

By Tamira Madsen Sep. 11, 2021 10:33 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin tight end Jake Ferguson likes the direction that

Penn State's Sean Clifford tries to get away from Wisconsin's Nick Herbig during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Penn State at Wisconsin 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 01:47 PM EDT

FILE - Penn State football coach James Franklin, second from front right, congratulates freshman cornerback Kalen King (4) after winning a 1-on-1 against a wide receiver during an NCAA college football practice in State College, Pa., in this Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, file photo. Penn State coach James Franklin believes new play-caller Mike Yurcich will help the Nittany Lions return to their 2016-2019 form where they scored 30 or more in 35 of 53 games and never averaged less than 34 points per game. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)
No. 12 Wisconsin opens season by hosting No. 19 Penn State

By The Associated Press Sep. 02, 2021 03:38 PM EDT
No. 19 Penn State (0-0) at No. 12 Wisconsin (0-0), Saturday at noon EDT (FOX).

Fans walk down steps in Kinnick Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Wisconsin, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wisconsin at Iowa 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 02:17 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2017, file photo, Wisconsin's Isaiahh Loudermilk (97) and Leon Jacobs celebrate after a sack of Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin traditionally wins games primarily because of its running game and defense. Now that Jonathan Taylor has moved on to the NFL, that would seem to put more pressure on the defense to carry the load as the Badgers’ offense adjusts to life without the two-time Doak Walker Award winner. The defense looks forward to that challenge. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Wisconsin's veteran defense ready for bigger responsibility

By Steve Megargee Oct. 19, 2020 05:10 PM EDT
Wisconsin traditionally wins games because of its running game and defense.