Paul Chryst

Illinois running back Chase Brown is stopped during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Mertz, No. 14 Wisconsin rout Illinois 45-7 in Big Ten opener

By Steve Megargee Oct. 23, 2020 11:31 PM EDT

The seats at Camp Randall Stadium are empty as players warm up before an NCAA college football game between Wisconsin and Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Illinois at Wisconsin 10/23/2020

Oct. 23, 2020 07:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin running back Nakia Watson (14) carries during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin’s rushing attack will look quite a bit different this season without Jonathan Taylor in the backfield. Wisconsin begins adjusting to life without Taylor on Friday night, Oct. 23, 2020, when the 14th-ranked Badgers host Illinois in their pandemic-delayed season opener.(AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)

No. 14 Wisconsin's rushing attack adapts to post-Taylor era

By Steve Megargee Oct. 22, 2020 12:17 AM EDT

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 safety Reggie Pearson (2) waits for action during an NCAA football game on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019 in Tampa, Fla. Wisconsin has welcomed back offensive lineman Jon Dietzen and lost Pearson as it resumes practice to prepare for the pandemic-delayed season. The Badgers released a roster Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 that didn’t include Pearson but added Dietzen, who had announced in February 2019 that he was stepping away from football due to injuries.(AP Photo/Mark Lomoglio, file)

Dietzen returns to Badgers; Pearson out for medical reasons

Sep. 23, 2020 03:06 PM EDT

FILE - In this June 4, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren talks to reporters after being named Big Ten Conference Commissioner during a news conference in Rosemont, Ill. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play.(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

Big Ten's Warren, under fire, elaborates on virus concerns

By Eric Olson Aug. 19, 2020 07:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) looks on as Oregon plays Auburn in an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. After the Power Five conference commissioners met Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. to discuss mounting concern about whether a college football season can be played in a pandemic, players took to social media to urge leaders to let them play. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)

College football in the spring: When? How much? Who plays?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 12, 2020 03:26 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 2019, file photo, Indiana coach Tom Allen watches the second quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa. The Big Ten and Pac-12 became the first Power Five conferences to cancel their fall football seasons because of concerns about COVID-19. The Big Ten said it hopes to compete in the spring, and the Pac-12 pushed even basketball back to Jan. 1. “My heart breaks for our players. I couldn’t be prouder of the commitment and focus they have demonstrated from the start of this pandemic," Allen said of the Big Ten's decision Tuesday, Aug. 11. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)

Coaches' emotions on edge as pandemic questions linger

By Hank Kurz Jr. Aug. 11, 2020 06:33 PM EDT

View of the Eiffel Tower from the deserted Concorde square during nationwide confinement measures to counter the Covid-19, in Paris, Friday, May 8, 2020. France continues to be under an extended stay-at-home order until May 11 in an attempt to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

The Latest: Wisconsin AD Barry Alvarez asked to take pay cut

By The Associated Press May. 09, 2020 12:13 PM EDT

Colleges thrown for big losses in sports budget crunch

By Dave Campbell May. 08, 2020 08:51 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With the end of this virus-disrupted school year drawing nearer, a predictably bleak financial outlook for major college sports has emerged...

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin will head into spring practice with plenty of questions as the Badgers attempt to replace their top playmakers from a team that reached the Rose Bowl last season. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)

Chryst stays patient as Badgers prepare for spring practice

By Steve Megargee Mar. 09, 2020 03:25 PM EDT

Ex-Packers WR coach Whitted takes same position at Wisconsin

Mar. 04, 2020 05:51 PM EST
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Former Green Bay Packers wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted has accepted the same position at Wisconsin. Wisconsin...

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day watches during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in Indianapolis. Ohio State is back on top in Big Ten recruiting, with Day wrapping up his first full signing class on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Buckeyes on top in Big Ten recruiting; Huskers best in West

By Eric Olson Feb. 05, 2020 04:32 PM EST

Eastern Michigan defensive back Kevin McGill (4) is escorted to the locker room after being disqualified during the second half of the Quick Lane Bowl NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Pitt rallies to beat Eastern Michigan in Quick Lane Bowl

By Larry Lage Dec. 27, 2019 12:04 AM EST

Ducks, Badgers approach pomp of Rose Bowl in different ways

By Dan Greenspan Dec. 26, 2019 06:51 PM EST
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Oregon and Wisconsin are taking contrasting approaches to everything that comes before the Rose Bowl. Ducks coach...