STEVE MEGARGEE
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

Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, left, and associate head coach Mickey Joseph watch from the sideline during the second half of Nebraska's NCAA college football annual red-white spring game at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, April 9, 2022. The white team defeated the red team 43-39. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Coordinator changes add intrigue to Big Ten spring practices

By Steve Megargee Apr. 20, 2022 02:09 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — During an offseason in which more than one out of every five

FILE - Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is shown during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Las Vegas. Wisconsin’s fortunes the last two seasons generally have depended on how well quarterback Graham Mertz has protected the football. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow, File)
Badgers QB Mertz remains upbeat after offseason speculation

By Steve Megargee Apr. 04, 2022 04:25 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz says his confidence hasn’t

FILE - Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi (6) leaves the game against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Mellusi says he has reached out to former Clemson teammate and current Green Bay Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers for advice on recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)
Badgers' Mellusi hopeful he can be ready for start of season

By Steve Megargee Mar. 28, 2022 04:07 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi says he has reached out to

FILE - Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Chryst says he never personally spoke with Caleb Williams when the former Oklahoma quarterback was considering potential transfer destinations before choosing Southern California. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)
Badgers' Chryst says he never spoke directly to Williams

By Steve Megargee Mar. 21, 2022 04:38 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst says he never personally spoke with

Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis (1) falls after a collision with Minnesota guard Sean Sutherlin during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, in Minneapolis. Davis was called for charging. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
March Madness: Wisconsin's Johnny Davis rises to stardom

By Steve Megargee Mar. 16, 2022 02:49 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin guard Johnny Davis drives to the basket with the same

Baylor linebacker Terrel Bernard celebrates after being named most valuable player in the team's Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Mississippi in New Orleans, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
AP All-Bowl Team: Top performers from the Alamo to Sun bowls

By Steve Megargee Jan. 06, 2022 02:37 AM EST
When two of Ohio State’s top receivers opted out of the Rose Bowl to prepare for the

Wisconsin's Johnny Davis (1) is defended by Purdue's Isaiah Thompson (11) during the second half of an NCAA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
NBA Prospect Watch: Wisconsin's Davis breaking out

By Steve Megargee Jan. 05, 2022 04:17 PM EST
Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis spent his freshman year coming off the bench and playing a

FILE - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, center, is greeted by his wife Mary Beth Smart, right, after a win over Florida in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. Smart was named The Associated Press All-SEC coach of the year in results released Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Texas A&M joins 'Bama, Georgia in race for recruiting title

By Steve Megargee Dec. 14, 2021 12:24 PM EST
Alabama and Georgia are competing for the honor of having the nation’s top-ranked

Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables answers a question at an NCAA college football news conference, Monday, Dec. 6, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Coaching changes cause uncertainty as signing period arrives

By Steve Megargee Dec. 12, 2021 11:25 AM EST
There is no doubt the arrival of an early signing period in college football

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.

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost argues a call with linesman Bruce Keeling during the second half against Ohio State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 26-17. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Coaching stability separates Big Ten from other conferences

By Steve Megargee Nov. 23, 2021 05:06 PM EST
Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck sees the rampant coaching turnover going on this season

Mouthguards are displayed in Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 17, 2021. The mouthguards that some college football players are wearing this season have a dual purpose. Not only does the equipment provide the obvious protection for teeth and jaws, it also includes sensors collecting data to help research the best way to prevent serious head injuries. Ten NFL teams already had been using these sensors for the last few years. (Ryan M. Kelly/AP Images for NFL)
Mouthguard sensors help provide research on player safety

By Steve Megargee Nov. 23, 2021 12:01 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The mouthguards that some college football players are

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

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost argues a call with linesman Bruce Keeling during the second half against Ohio State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. Ohio State defeated Nebraska 26-17. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
After overhauling staff, Nebraska faces No. 19 Wisconsin

By Steve Megargee Nov. 18, 2021 03:10 AM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s top-ranked defense faces the challenge of

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) throws a pass against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Mertz making strides during No. 19 Wisconsin's win streak

By Steve Megargee Nov. 17, 2021 04:10 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s remarkable turnaround seems like a personally

Northwestern's Stephon Robinson Jr. catches a pass in front of Wisconsin's Caesar Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Allen's big day helps No. 20 Wisconsin rip Northwestern 35-7

By Steve Megargee Nov. 13, 2021 03:20 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Braelon Allen understood the importance of his role

FILE - Illinois running back Joshua McCray sticks the ball over the goal line to avoid a safety as Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen (92) and Collin Wilder (18) make the tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. Across the country, college football teams once again are discovering that establishing a rushing attack is even tougher than it was the year before.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
What's the rush? Teams struggle to establish ground attacks

By Steve Megargee Nov. 11, 2021 03:11 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Across the country, teams once again are discovering that

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) and head coach Paul Chryst talk during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin upset Iowa 27-7. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Long memories motivate No. 20 Badgers against Northwestern

By Steve Megargee Nov. 11, 2021 12:42 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin vows it won’t overlook Northwestern as the 20th

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) and head coach Paul Chryst talk during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin upset Iowa 27-7. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Defense carries Wisconsin to 27-7 triumph over No. 9 Iowa

By Steve Megargee Oct. 30, 2021 03:32 PM EDT
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin safety Collin Wilder was planning his Halloween