STEVE MEGARGEE
University of Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez speaks during a press conference following an event marking his retirement announcement at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)
Barry Alvarez, AD who reshaped Wisconsin sports, to retire

By Steve Megargee Apr. 06, 2021 10:18 AM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — As he announced his retirement, longtime Wisconsin

FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020 file photo, Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) plays against the Washington Football Team during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit. Former Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021 against the university that he was used as a scapegoat during a sexual assault investigation that resulted in his temporary expulsion.(AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Ex-Wisconsin receiver Cephus sues school over 2018 expulsion

By Steve Megargee Feb. 23, 2021 05:10 PM EST
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Former Wisconsin wide receiver Quintez Cephus said in a

FILE - In this Dec. 12, 2020, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck yells instructions during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb. Fleck and other college coaches across the country communicated with recruits via Zoom and offered virtual campus tours to prospects as pandemic-imposed restrictions prevented face-to-face contact. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Virtual recruiting strategies could stay after pandemic ends

By Steve Megargee Feb. 04, 2021 05:20 PM EST
Recruiting restrictions brought about by the pandemic forced coaching staffs to

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks to his team during their NCAA college football practice, in Columbus, Ohio. As Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Florida prepared to play for conference championships, they signed top-10 recruiting classes for 2021 they hope to fuel their next title contenders..(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Alabama follows up title by finalizing star-studded class

By Steve Megargee Feb. 03, 2021 06:41 PM EST
Alabama continues recruiting at a level that should strengthen the reigning

FILE - Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Indiana during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Columbus, Ohio, in this Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, file photo. Fields threw a Sugar Bowl-record six touchdown passes and accumulated 385 yards passing in the third-ranked Buckeyes’ 49-28 College Football Playoff semifinal victory over No. 2 Clemson. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
Alabama's Smith, Ohio State's Fields lead all-bowl team

By Steve Megargee Jan. 07, 2021 01:35 PM EST
Alabama and Ohio State advanced to the championship game in part because their

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) runs against Florida during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
STAT WATCH: Numbers reflect dominance of Alabama, Clemson

By Steve Megargee Dec. 21, 2020 02:18 AM EST
It should come as no surprise to see Alabama and Clemson fill the top two seeds

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) passes while getting pressured by Iowa defensive end Joe Evans (13) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Gophers, Badgers cherish second chance to renew rivalry

By Steve Megargee Dec. 17, 2020 05:37 PM EST
Minnesota and Wisconsin managed to avoid interrupting the most-played Football

Wisconsin wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) runs from Iowa linebacker Barrington Wade (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wisconsin trying to find ways to spark sputtering offense

By Steve Megargee Dec. 15, 2020 06:12 PM EST
Quarterback Graham Mertz and the Wisconsin Badgers vow to keep trying to find

FILE - Duke head coach David Cutcliffe watches his team play against Virginia Tech during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., in this Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, file photo. The personal touch that helps coaches sell their programs to blue-chip prospects is missing from this year’s recruiting cycle. Restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic prevent face-to-face communication between players and coaches. (Nell Redmond/Pool Photo via AP, File)
'It's just weird': Pandemic uncertainty on recruiting trail

By Steve Megargee Dec. 15, 2020 02:39 PM EST
The personal touch that helps coaches sell their programs to blue-chip

Indiana defensive back Tiawan Mullen (3)and defensive back Bryant Fitzgerald (31) break up a pass intended for Wisconsin's Kendric Pryor during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Tuttle, D lift No. 10 Indiana past No. 18 Wisconsin 14-6

By Steve Megargee Dec. 05, 2020 07:12 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Indiana made sure the loss of its star quarterback didn't

Indiana running back Stevie Scott III (8) runs past Maryland's Durell Nchami (30) for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Bloomington, Ind. Indiana won 27-11. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 10 Indiana's Tuttle awaits challenge at No. 18 Wisconsin

By Steve Megargee Dec. 03, 2020 12:27 PM EST
Indiana’s Jack Tuttle says his sudden role change won’t alter his approach as

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) is sacked by Northwestern cornerback Cam Ruiz, left, and linebacker Blake Gallagher during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Northwestern won 17-7. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Mertz ready to bounce back as No. 18 Badgers host 10 Indiana

By Steve Megargee Dec. 02, 2020 04:56 PM EST
After doing little wrong in his first two starts, Wisconsin quarterback Graham

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) is sacked by Northwestern cornerback Cam Ruiz, left, and linebacker Blake Gallagher during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Northwestern won 17-7. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota matchup helps No. 18 Badgers turn page after loss

By Steve Megargee Nov. 23, 2020 06:56 PM EST
No. 18 Wisconsin believes it still has plenty of incentive even though it no

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald talks to players on the bench during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
This year's Big Ten title chase shows defense still matters

By Steve Megargee Nov. 19, 2020 12:22 PM EST
As the Big Ten prepares to have its version of “Separation Saturday,” it

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Chryst 'hopeful' about No. 13 Wisconsin's QB situation

By Steve Megargee Nov. 12, 2020 01:21 PM EST
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said Thursday he was “hopeful” about his

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst talks to players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 13 Wisconsin confident it will play Saturday at Michigan

By Steve Megargee Nov. 09, 2020 01:19 PM EST
No. 13 Wisconsin expects to return to play Saturday at Michigan after canceling

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst talks to players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin-Purdue game off amid Badgers' coronavirus outbreak

By Steve Megargee Nov. 03, 2020 12:36 PM EST
Wisconsin has canceled Saturday's home game against Purdue, the second straight

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst talks to players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 9 Wisconsin cancels Nebraska game; Chryst tests positive

By Steve Megargee Oct. 28, 2020 11:34 AM EDT
The pandemic hit Big Ten football just two weeks into its season Wednesday as

Wisconsin's Graham Mertz tries to run past Illinois's Tarique Barnes during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Nightmare scenario: What happens when outbreak hits QB room?

By Steve Megargee Oct. 27, 2020 05:49 PM EDT
Wisconsin may be facing the type of nightmare scenario that coaches feared as

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Wisconsin coach stays mum on QB Mertz with Huskers up next

By Steve Megargee Oct. 26, 2020 12:52 PM EDT
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst isn’t discussing quarterback Graham Mertz’s status