Wisconsin Badgers football

Team name origin

The team's nickname originates in the early history of Wisconsin. In the 1820s and 1830s, prospectors came to the state looking for minerals, primarily lead. Without shelter in the winter, the miners had to "live like badgers" in tunnels burrowed into hillsides.^[3]

The early years (1889–1912)

The first Badger football team took the field in 1889, losing the only two games it played that season. In 1890, Wisconsin earned its first victory with a 106–0 drubbing of Whitewater Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater), still the most lopsided win in school history. However, the very next week the Badgers suffered what remains their most lopsided defeat, a humiliating 63–0 loss at the hands of the University of Minnesota. Since then, the Badgers and Gophers have met 127 times, making Wisconsin vs Minnesota the most-played rivalry in the Football Bowl Subdivision.^[4]

Upon the formation of the Big Ten conference in 1896, Wisconsin became the first-ever conference champion with a 7–1–1 record. Over the next ten years, the Badgers won or shared the conference title three more times (1897, 1901, and 1906), and recorded their first undefeated season, going 9–0–0 (1901). With the exception of their second undefeated season in 1912, in which they won their fifth Big Ten title.

Moderate successes (1913–1941)

The 1912 season would be their last conference title until 1952. The team posted mostly winning seasons over the next several seasons however.

The climb back to dominance (1942–1962)

1942 was an important year for Wisconsin football. On October 24, the #6 ranked Badgers defeated the #1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall, catapulting Wisconsin to the #2 spot in the AP poll. Unfortunately for the Badgers, their national championship hopes were dashed in a 6–0 defeat by the Iowa Hawkeyes the following week. Nevertheless, Wisconsin won the remainder of its games, finishing the season 8–1–1 and #3 in the AP, while garnering the Helms Athletic Foundation vote for National Champion, giving the program its only National Championship to date (The AP National Champions were the Ohio State Buckeyes, whom Wisconsin beat during the season). Afterwards, the Badgers struggled to regain their momentum, with their efforts hampered by many of their star players leaving as a result of World War II. In the late 1940s, fans began insisting that head coach Harry Stuhldreher resign, many times chanting "Goodbye Harry", especially during 1948, where the Badgers finished 2-7. Stuhldreher stepped down as head coach, while keeping his duties as athletic director. Stuhldreher then named Ivy Williamson as head coach

The Badgers experienced great success during the 1950s under Williamson, finishing in the AP Top 25 eight times that decade. In one stretch, from 1950-1954, the Badgers went 26-8-3. The Badgers' success during those seasons was defined by a stout defense, dubbed "The Hard Rocks", which usually finished in the top 5 of the nation in overall defense, including leading the nation in 1951. In 1952, the team received its first #1 ranking by the Associated Press. That season, the Badgers again claimed the Big Ten title and earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl. There they were defeated 7–0 by the Southern California, and would finish the season ranked #11 in the AP. In 1954 after a 7-2 season, Wisconsin's Alan Ameche became the first Badger to win the Heisman Trophy. Ivy Williamson stepped down as head coach in 1955 to become athletic director, and was replaced by his former assistant coach, Milt Bruhn. Bruhn would continue Wisconsin's success, after an initial setback with a 1-5-3 record in 1956. Wisconsin returned to the Rose Bowl as Big Ten Champions in 1959, but fell to the Washington Huskies, 44-8.

Continuing under the direction of Bruhn in 1962, the Badgers had another landmark season, spearheaded by the passing combination of Ron Vander Kelen to All-American Pat Richter. The Badgers standout victory was an upset of #1-ranked Northwestern, who were coached then by the legendary Ara Parseghian. The Badgers finished 8-1, earned their eighth Big Ten title, and faced the top-ranked USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl. Despite a narrow 42–37 defeat, the Badgers still ended the season ranked #2 in both the AP and Coaches polls (post-bowl rankings were not introduced until later in the decade).

Limited successes (1963–1989)

Following the successful 1962 campaign, Wisconsin football scuffled, and Milt Bruhn resigned in 1966 after three straight losing seasons. Wisconsin chose former assistant coach John Coatta. The Badgers finished even worse under Coatta, going winless for 23 straight games from 1967-1969, and winning only 3 games overall during Coatta's short reign, each of the wins occurring during the 1969 season. What stung even worse for Badger fans during the three season, was the coach that Wisconsin supposedly turned down for the head coaching role, Bo Schembechler, who would become a coaching legend at Michigan.

In 1970, new athletic director Elroy Hirsch named John Jardine as head coach. While the Badgers weren't a consistent winner under Jardine, the program regained stability, and also brought excitement in running backs Rufus "Roadrunner" Ferguson and Billy Marek. The Badgers went 37-47-3 under Jardine, who stepped down in 1977.

After more subpar seasons from 1978-1980, the team had a string of seven-win seasons from 1981–84 under Dave McClain. During that time the Badgers played in the Garden State Bowl (1981), Independence Bowl (1982), and Hall of Fame Classic Bowl (1984). McClain's death during spring practice in 1986 sent the Badgers into free fall. From 1986 to 1990, the Badgers won a total of nine games.

Barry Alvarez era, "From Red Ink to Roses" (1990–2005)

By the end of the 1989 season, the Wisconsin football program was in disarray, shouldering a debt of over $2 million and with only 30,000 fans attending games at the 77,000-capacity stadium. New athletic director Pat Richter named Barry Alvarez, the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, as the new head coach. To bring stability and interest to the program again, Alvarez targeted the top high school players in Wisconsin, "building a wall" around the state, and also encouraged players not recruited to join the program as walk-ons. Though Alvarez won his first game as head coach over Ball State, the Badgers finished 1-10 in 1990. The Badgers finished 5-6 in the next two seasons, but there were encouraging signs for the future. They were actually in bowl contention on the last day of the 1992 season, but a narrow loss to Northwestern kept them from going to a bowl.

Everything finally came together for the Badgers in 1993. They steamrolled through the season, finishing 10-1-1, winning their first Big Ten championship since 1962 and beating UCLA 21–16 to claim their first Rose Bowl victory.

After the surprise success of 1993, the Badgers fell back into mediocrity, though remaining competitive, going 2-1 in bowl games from 1994 to 1997, with victories in the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1994, and the Copper Bowl in 1996. Alvarez retooled the team with a new batch of talented recruits during this stretch of seasons, and they came to full fruition in 1998 and 1999. Among the standouts were corner back Jamar Fletcher, wide receiver Chris Chambers, quarterback Brooks Bollinger, offensive linemen Aaron Gibson, Chris McIntosh, and Mark Tauscher, and running back Ron Dayne. With "The Great Dayne" leading the way, the Badgers won back-to-back Big Ten championships and back-to-back Rose Bowls over UCLA in 1999 and Stanford in 2000. The 1998 team won a school-record 11 games, while the 1999 team won its first outright Big Ten title since 1962. Ron Dayne set a new NCAA record for career rushing yardage, and won the Heisman Trophy in 1999.

In 2000, there were hopes of the Badgers winning their third consecutive Big Ten championship and an unprecedented three straight Rose Bowls. However early in the season, Wisconsin's football and basketball programs were hit with "The Shoe Box scandal", when a local shoe store gave university athletes discounts on footwear. Wisconsin athletic programs were put on five years of probation and several players were suspended by the NCAA. The Badgers finished 9-4, with a victory over UCLA in the Sun Bowl.

Due to the loss of scholarships as a result of the NCAA investigation, the Badgers struggled through the 2001-2003 seasons, never finishing higher than seventh in the Big Ten. The Badgers returned to the top 20 in the AP polls in 2004 and 2005, with a victory in the Capitol One Bowl in 2005. In 2004, Alvarez was named athletic director, replacing the retiring Pat Richter. The strain of holding both roles became too much for Alvarez, and he stepped down as head coach after the 2005 season.

Alvarez coached the Badgers for 16 seasons, finishing with a 118-73-4 record, three times finishing in the Top 10 in the AP polls, and the only Big Ten head coach to win back-to-back Rose Bowls.

Bret Bielema era (2006–2012)

Following the 2005 season, Alvarez resigned as head coach in order to focus on his duties as athletic director, a position he had assumed in 2004. He named his defensive coordinator, Bret Bielema, as his successor.Wisconsin's 2006 team went 12-1 and won the Capital One Bowl over Arkansas 17-14. Wisconsin finished the season ranked 5th in coaches poll and 7th in the AP Poll.From 2006 to 2011, Bielema led the Badgers to six consecutive bowl appearances, going 2–4. In 2010, the Badgers won a share of the Big Ten Championship and returned to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2000. There they were defeated 21–19 by the #3 ranked TCU Horned Frogs. In 2011, the Badgers were once again crowned Big Ten Champs when they defeated Michigan State in the first-ever conference championship game. The victory sent Wisconsin back to the Rose Bowl for a second consecutive year, where they were defeated by the Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks, 45-38.

The 2012 season ended with the Badgers winning a third consecutive Big Ten title. Despite finishing with a 7-5 record and third in the Leaders Division, the Badgers advanced to the Big Ten Championship game by virtue of the fact that Penn State and Ohio State were ineligible for postseason play. A dominating rushing performance led Wisconsin to a 70-31 victory over #12 ranked Nebraska in the Big Ten Championship game. Only days later, Brett Bielema resigned to become the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Gary Andersen, formerly coach of Utah State University, was named head coach on December 19, 2012. At the request of the team captains, Barry Alvarez named himself interim coach for the 2013 Rose Bowl, where the Badgers lost, 20-14 to Stanford.^[5]

Gary Andersen era (2013–2014)

Gary Andersen was hired in December 2012 after Bret Bielema resigned to become the head coach for the University of Arkansas. Andersen was previously the head coach for Utah State where he went 26-23 in his four years at Utah State with his last season being 11-2 and finishing first in the Western Athletic Conference. Andersen's first win as the Badgers coach was a 45-0 win against Massachusetts. His first Big Ten football victory was a 41-10 victory over Purdue. The Badgers ended 2013 with a 9-4 record after losing to #8 South Carolina Gamecocks in the Capital One Bowl.

The Badgers started out the 2014 season ranked #14 in the AP Poll and their season opener was against #13 LSU Tigers in Houston, after leading the Tigers through three quarters the Tigers came back from a 24-7 deficit to defeat the Badgers 28-24.^[6] The Badgers recorded their first road shutout since 1998 in a 37-0 victory over the Big Ten newcomers Rutgers Scarlet Knights.^[7] On November 15, junior running back Melvin Gordon broke the all-time FBS single-game rushing yards record with 408 yards in a 59-24 victory against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.^[8] However that record only lasted a week as Samaje Perine from Oklahoma rushed for 427 yards the very next week. The 2014 regular season ended with the Badgers taking 1st place in the West Division with a 10-2 record. Wisconsin played Ohio State for the conference title in the 2014 Big Ten Championship Game where the Badgers lost to Ohio State 59-0. It was the first time since 1997 that the Badgers were shutout and the worst loss since 1979 when Ohio State defeated the Badgers 59–0.^[9]

Andersen departed Wisconsin four days later, taking the vacant head coaching position at Oregon State.^[10] Andersen cited family as his rationale for taking the Oregon State position; however, it was reported by some media outlets, such as Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated, that Andersen was frustrated with the University's high academic standards for athletes.^[11][12] Those reports turned out to be accurate, and were confirmed by Andersen in January 2015.^[13] Andersen had to pay a $3 million buyout for departing within the first two years of his contract, which was set through January 2019.^[14] At the request of the teams' seniors, Barry Alvarez named himself interim coach for the 2015 Outback Bowl vs. Auburn on January 1, 2015.^[15] Wisconsin won the game 34–31 in overtime.^[16]

Paul Chryst era (2015–present)

After the departure of Gary Andersen, former Badgers offensive coordinator (2005-2011) and Pitt head coach (2012-2014) Paul Chryst, was hired as the next head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers. The only assistant coach to remain on the coaching staff after Andersen's departure was defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Chryst brought over six coaching staff from the University of Pittsburgh, Joe Rudolph (OC), John Settle (RB coach), Inoke Breckterfield (D-line), Chris Haering (special teams), Mickey Turner (TE coach) and Ross Kolodziej (strength and conditioning). From 2005 to 2011 Rudolph (TE coach) and Settle (RB coach) were assistant coaches under Chryst (OC). Mickey Turner and Ross Kolodziej are both former Badgers players, Turner was a tight end from 2006-2009 and Kolodziej was a defensive tackle from 1997-2000.^[17]

In Chryst's first season the Badgers went 10–3 and finished 1st nationally in scoring defense (13.7 points per game) and 2nd in total defense (268.5 yards per game). All three losses came to teams that were in the AP top 25 at the end of the season, eventual national champions #1 Alabama, #9 Iowa and #23 Northwestern. Chryst also won the Holiday Bowl against USC, whom the Badgers had a 0-6 record against before the game, with their last meeting being the 1963 Rose Bowl. Two days after their victory over USC it was announced that the Badgers defensive coordinator, Dave Aranda, would be taking the same role for the LSU Tigers, whom the Badgers open the 2016 season against at Lambeau Field.

Aranda was replaced with Justin Wilcox, who was previously USC's defensive coordinator from 2014 to 2015, he was fired in early December 2015 after the Trojans finished 50th nationally in scoring defense (25.7 points per game) and 65th in total defense (400.8 yards per game).^[18] The Badgers started 2016 on a high note by upsetting the #5 ranked LSU Tigers 16-14 in their season opener at Lambeau Field, the first ever major college football game in the historical stadium.^[19] The Badgers stayed in the AP top 10 for most of the season, with two losses to Michigan and Ohio State. Wisconsin lost the Big 10 championship game to Penn State, then won the Cotton Bowl Classic over Western Michigan to finish 11-3, finishing the season ranked 8th in the nation.

Wisconsin came into the 2017 season ranked #9 in the AP poll and was ranked in the top 10 all season. Undefeated during the regular season, the Badgers were ranked fourth in the nation before the Big 10 championship, which the Badgers lost to Ohio State, 27-21. The team then won the Orange Bowl over Miami to finish the season with a 13-1 record. Wisconsin was ranked as high as 3rd in the nation in week 14 in the AP poll and Coaches poll and received 10 first place votes in the AP poll and 21 first place votes in the Coaches poll. Wisconsin finished the season ranked 6th in the nation. Wisconsin has a 48-11 record since the start of the 2014 season, trailing only Alabama 55-5, Clemson 54-6 and Ohio State 53-6 in victories and winning percentage among FBS programs during that time.Wisconsin comes into the 2018 season ranked #4 in the AP poll.

National championships

Wisconsin has one national championship from an NCAA-designated major selector.^[20] The school makes no formal claim of this championship.^[21] Two additional national championships were awarded by Nutshell Sports Football Ratings (1906) and The State's National Champions (1928).^[22]

Conference championships

Wisconsin has won 14 conference championships, eight outright and six shared.^[23]

† Co-champions

Minnesota

Badgers celebrating their win by carrying Paul Bunyan's Axe around the stadium after the 2009 game

The UW-U of M series is the nation’s most-played rivalry in Division I football and has been played continuously since 1907. Much prestige was always associated with the game, and the significance was emphasized with its place on the schedule. Between 1933 and 1982, the Wisconsin-Minnesota game was always the final regular-season contest for each school. The series took an added twist in 1948 when more than state bragging rights were on the line. After a 16-0 setback that season, the Wisconsin lettermen's group, the National 'W' Club, presented Minnesota with an axe wielded by Paul Bunyan. He was the mythical giant of Midwestern lumber camps. Each year since, the winner of the annual battle between the Big Ten rivals is presented with the axe, complete with scores inscribed on the handle, for display on its campus. Wisconsin leads the series 60-59-8.^[25]

Iowa

Iowa is Wisconsin's other archrival. Although the rivalry started in 1894, the Heartland Trophy was inaugurated in 2004 and goes each year to the winner. The trophy was designed and crafted by artist and former Iowa football player Frank Strub. The trophy, which is a bull mounted on a walnut base (native to both Wisconsin and Iowa), has been inscribed with the scores of all games in the long-time series. With Big Ten expansion, the Wisconsin and Iowa football teams were placed in separate divisions, thus ending their annual rivalry. However, with the addition of Maryland and Rutgers, Iowa and Wisconsin were placed back in the same division in 2014. Wisconsin leads the series at 47-43-2.

Nebraska

Wisconsin linebacker Chris Borland tackles Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez during the 2012 Big Ten Football Championship Game

Nebraska is Wisconsin's newest rival. With the inclusion of the Cornhuskers in the Big Ten in 2011 the first three games between the two programs were significant, the third being the 2012 Big Ten Football Championship Game where the unranked Badgers defeated the heavily favored #14 ranked Cornhuskers, 70-31. Prior to their next matchup in 2014, the University of Nebraska and the University of Wisconsin announced that moving forward the two schools would play for the Freedom Trophy. The trophy sits on a wooden base and features a depiction of Nebraska's Memorial Stadium on one side and Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium on the other. The trophy has an inscription honoring the nation's veterans and symbolizes that Memorial Stadium was built in their honor at Nebraska while Camp Randall Stadium in Wisconsin was built on the site of a former Civil War training site. The score of each year's contest is inscribed on the trophy. Wisconsin leads the overall series 9-4-0.

Marquette

From 1904 to 1960 Wisconsin forged an intense rivalry with the Marquette Golden Avalanche. During this time these two schools were the only two Division I football in the state of Wisconsin (Marquette being located in Milwaukee). These two schools played every year from 1932 to 1960 until Marquette terminated their football program. The Badgers won the series record 32-4. Marquette no longer has a Division I football program.

Victories over #1 ranked teams

Source: Wisconsin State Journal, October 16, 2010

All-time Big Ten records

This chart includes both the overall record the University of Wisconsin Badgers have with the all-time Big Ten members, as well as the matchups that counted in the Big Ten standings. Wisconsin has been a member of the Big Ten since its creation in 1896. Michigan rejoined the league in 1917 after leaving in 1906. Chicago withdrew after 1939, and then Michigan State (1953), Penn State (1993), and Nebraska (2011), Maryland and Rutgers (2014) joined the Big Ten conference bringing the league total to 14 teams. (As of November 25, 2017)

All Data from The Wisconsin Football Fact Book^[24]

The Fifth Quarter

The Fifth Quarter is a fan event that takes place following every Wisconsin home football game that originated in 1969. In the midst of a school-worst 24 game losing streak, athletic director Elroy Hirsch worked with the Wisconsin school band to create “the Fifth Quarter”, where the band plays fan favorites such as “On, Wisconsin”, “You’ve Said it All”, and, at the end of the Fifth Quarter, “Varsity”, the school’s alma mater.

Jump Around

"Jump Around" made its debut at Camp Randall on October 10, 1998, when the Badgers hosted the Purdue Boilermakers and their star Quarterback Drew Brees.^[26]

College GameDay

Lee Corso has worn the Badger head gear on 7 occasions.^[27]

The Badgers have appeared on ESPN's College Game Day 16 times since 1999, with 3 bowl appearances. Wisconsin is 6–10 in games played when College GameDay has traveled to Badger games. Wisconsin has hosted the program 7 times. The most recent visit came in 2017 when Michigan played in Madison. The Badgers have a 4–3 record when Gameday is on the Madison campus.

Rushing records

Melvin Gordon in 2014

• Most rushing attempts, career: 1220, Ron Dayne (1996–99)
• Most rushing attempts, season: 356, Montee Ball (2012)
• Most rushing attempts, game: 50, Ron Dayne (November 9, 1996, vs. Minnesota)
• Most rushing yards, career: 7,125, Ron Dayne (1996–99)^‡†
• Most rushing yards, season: 2,587, Melvin Gordon (2014)^†
• Most rushing yards, game: 408, Melvin Gordon (November 15, 2014, vs. Nebraska)^†
• Most rushing yards, single quarter: 189, Melvin Gordon (November 15, 2014, vs. Nebraska)
• Highest average yard per carry, career (min 300 att.): 7.8, Melvin Gordon (2011–14)
• Highest average yard per carry, season (min 100 att.): 7.81, Melvin Gordon (2013)
• Highest average yard per carry, game (min 10 att.): 19.5, Melvin Gordon (September 20, 2014, vs. Bowling Green)
• Most rushing touchdowns, career: 77, Montee Ball (2009-2012)^†
• Most rushing touchdowns, season: 33, Montee Ball (2011)^‡†
• Most rushing touchdowns, game: 5
  • Billy Marek (November 23, 1974, vs. Minnesota)
  • Anthony Davis (November 23, 2002, vs. Minnesota)
  • Brian Calhoun (September 3, 2005, vs. Bowling Green)
  • Brian Calhoun (October 29, 2005, vs. Illinois)
  • Melvin Gordon (September 20, 2014, vs. Bowling Green)
• Most games with at least 100 rushing yards, career: 33, Ron Dayne (1996–99)
• Most games with at least 100 rushing yards, season: 12, Melvin Gordon (2014)
• Most games with at least 200 rushing yards, career: 14, Ron Dayne (1996–99)
• Most games with at least 200 rushing yards, season: 6, Melvin Gordon (2014)

Passing records

Russell Wilson under center in 2011 against Purdue

• Most passing attempts, career: 1,052, Darrell Bevell (1992–95)
• Most passing attempts, season: 333, Tyler Donovan (2007)
• Most passing attempts, game: 54, Randy Wright (November 5, 1983, vs. Iowa)
• Most passing completions, career: 646, Darrell Bevell (1992–95)
• Most passing completions, season: 225, Russell Wilson (2011)
• Most passing completions, game: 35, Darrell Bevell (November 18, 1995, vs. Iowa)
• Most passing yards, career: 7,686, Darrell Bevell (1992–95)
• Most passing yards, season: 3,175, Russell Wilson (2011)
• Most passing yards, game: 423, Darrell Bevell (October 23, 1993, vs. Minnesota)
• Highest completion percentage, career: 68.1 (410–602), Scott Tolzien (2008–10)
• Highest completion percentage, season: 72.9 (194–266), Scott Tolzien (2010)
• Highest completion percentage, game (min 10 att.): 94.7 (18–19), Alex Hornibrook (September 16, 2017, vs. BYU)
• Most passing touchdowns, career: 59, Darrell Bevell (1992–95)
• Most passing touchdowns, season: 33, Russell Wilson (2011)
• Most passing touchdowns, game: 5, Darrell Bevell (September 4, 1993, vs. Nevada) and Jim Sorgi (November 15, 2003, vs. Michigan State)
• Highest pass efficiency rating, career: 191.8, Russell Wilson (2011)^‡†
• Highest pass efficiency rating, season: 191.8, Russell Wilson (2011)^‡†
• Highest pass efficiency rating, game (min 15 att.): 296.68, John Stocco (September 30, 2006, vs. Indiana)
• Most games with at least 200 passing yards, career: 17, John Stocco (2003–06)
• Most games with at least 200 passing yards, season: 8, John Stocco (2005), Russell Wilson (2011)

Receiving records

Jared Abbrederis in 2013

• Most receptions, career: 202, Brandon Williams (2002–05) and Jared Abbrederis (2009–13)
• Most receptions, season: 78, Jared Abbrederis (2013)
• Most receptions, game: 13, Matt Nyquist (November 18, 1995, vs. Iowa)
• Most receiving yards, career: 3,468, Lee Evans (1999–2003)
• Most receiving yards, season: 1,545, Lee Evans (2001)
• Most receiving yards, game: 258, Lee Evans (November 15, 2003, vs. Michigan State)
• Highest average yards per reception, career (min 50 rec.): 20.1, Tony Simmons (1994–97)
• Highest average yards per reception, season (min 30 rec.): 21.3, Larry Mialik (1970)
• Highest average yards per reception, game (min 3 rec.): 47.3, Larry Mialik (October 3, 1970, vs. Penn State Nittany Lions)
• Most touchdown receptions, career: 27, Lee Evans (1999–2003)
• Most touchdown receptions, season: 13, Lee Evans (2003)
• Most touchdown receptions, game: 5, Lee Evans (November 15, 2003, vs. Michigan State Spartans)
• Most consecutive games with a reception, career: 38, Lee Evans (1999–2003)

Scoring records

Montee Ball in 2012

• Most points scored, career: 500, Montee Ball (2009–2012)^‡†
• Most points scored, season: 236, Montee Ball (2011)^‡†
• Most points scored, game: 30
  • Billy Marek (November 23, 1974, vs. Minnesota)
  • Anthony Davis (November 23, 2002, vs. Minnesota)
  • Lee Evans (November 15, 2003, vs. Michigan State)
  • Brian Calhoun (September 3, 2005, vs. Bowling Green and October 29, 2005, vs. Illinois)
  • P.J. Hill (September 15, 2007, vs. The Citadel)
  • Melvin Gordon (September 20, 2014, vs. Bowling Green)
• Most touchdowns scored, career: 83, Montee Ball (2009–2012)^‡†
• Most touchdowns scored, season: 39, Montee Ball (2011)^‡†
• Most touchdowns scored, game: 5
  • Billy Marek (November 23, 1974, vs. Minnesota)
  • Anthony Davis (November 23, 2002, vs. Minnesota)
  • Lee Evans (November 15, 2003, vs. Michigan State)
  • Brian Calhoun (September 3, 2005, vs. Bowling Green and October 29, 2005, vs. Illinois)
  • P.J. Hill (September 15, 2007, vs. The Citadel)
  • Melvin Gordon (September 20, 2014, vs. Bowling Green)
• Most extra points, career: 202, Philip Welch (2008–11)
• Most extra points, season: 67, Philip Welch (2010)
• Most extra points, game: 11, Philip Welch (November 13, 2010, vs. Indiana)
• Most field goals made, career: 65, Todd Gregoire (1984–87)
• Most field goals made, season: 22, Rich Thompson (1992)
• Most field goals made, game: 4
  • Vince Lamia (November 20, 1976, vs. Minnesota)
  • Todd Gregoire (December 29, 1984, vs. Kentucky and November 7, 1987, vs. Ohio State)
  • Rich Thompson (September 19, 1992, vs. Bowling Green and October 17, 1992, vs. Purdue)
  • Matt Davenport (November 7, 1998, vs. Minnesota)
  • Vitaly Pisetsky (October 23, 1999, vs. Michigan State)
  • Philip Welch (September 27, 2008, vs. Michigan)

Kickoff/Punt return records

• Most kickoff return yards, career: 3,025, David Gilreath (2007–10)
• Most kickoff return yards, season: 967, David Gilreath (2007)
• Most kickoff return yards, game: 201, Jared Abbrederis (January 2, 2012, vs. Oregon)
• Most kickoff return touchdowns, career: 2, Danny Crooks (1969–71), Ira Matthews (1975–78), and Nick Davis (1998–2001)
• Most kickoff return touchdowns, season: 2, Ira Matthews (1976) and Nick Davis (1999)
• Most kickoff return touchdowns, game: 1, many times, most recent - Kenzel Doe (January 1, 2014, vs. South Carolina)
• Highest average per kickoff return, career (min 30 ret.): 25.8, Jared Abbrederis (2010–13)
• Highest average per kickoff return, season (min 10 ret.): 29.6, Ira Matthews (1976)
• Highest average per kickoff return, game (min 3 ret.): 42.7, Selvie Washington (September 21, 1974, vs. Nebraska)
• Most punt return yards, career: 1,347, Jim Leonhard (2001–04)
• Most punt return yards, season: 470, Jim Leonhard (2003)
• Most punt return yards, game: 158, Earl Girard (November 8, 1947, vs. Iowa)
• Most punt return touchdowns, career: 4, Ira Matthews (1975–78)
• Most punt return touchdowns, season: 3, Ira Matthews (1978)
• Most punt return touchdowns, game: 2, Earl Girard (November 8, 1947, vs. Iowa)
• Highest average per punt return, career (min 25 ret.): 13.7, Brandon Williams (2002–05)
• Highest average per punt return, season (min 15 ret.): 16.9, Ira Matthews (1978)
• Highest average per punt return, game (min 3 ret.): 52.7, Earl Girard (November 8, 1947, vs. Iowa)

Defensive records

Chris Borland in 2013

• Most interceptions, career: 21, Jamar Fletcher (1998–2000) and Jim Leonhard (2001–04)
• Most interceptions, season: 11, Jim Leonhard (2002)
• Most interceptions, game: 4, Clarence Bratt (November 20, 1964, vs. Minnesota)
• Most interceptions returned for a touchdown, career: 5, Jamar Fletcher (1998–2000)
• Most interceptions returned for a touchdown, season: 3, Jamar Fletcher (1998)
• Most interceptions returned for a touchdown, game: 2, Bob Radcliffe (October 15, 1949, vs. Navy)
• Most tackles, career: 451, Pete Monty (1993–96)
• Most tackles, season: 181, Dave Lokanc (1972)
• Most tackles, game: 28, Dave Crossen (November 5, 1977, vs. Purdue)
• Most tackles for loss, career: 58, Tarek Saleh (1993–96)
• Most tackles for loss, season: 31, Tom Burke (1998)
• Most tackles for loss, game: 6.5, Alex Lewis (October 18, 2003, vs. Purdue)
• Most quarterback sacks, career: 33, Tarek Saleh (1993–96)
• Most quarterback sacks, season: 22, Tom Burke (1998)
• Most quarterback sacks, game: 6, Tim Jordan (October 19, 1985, vs. Northwestern)
• Most fumbles forced, career: 14, Chris Borland (2009–13)^‡†
• Most fumbles recovered, career: 9, Scott Erdmann (1975–78)
• Most fumbles recovered, season: 5, Ed Bosold (1972)
• Most fumbles recovered, game: 3, Michael Reid (November 16, 1985, vs. Ohio State)
• Most passes defended, career: 62, Mike Echols (1998–2001)
• Most passes defended, season: 25, Mike Echols (2000) and Jim Leonhard (2002)
• Most passes defended, game: 6, Mike Echols (November 6, 1999, vs. Purdue)
• Most blocked kicks, career: 8, Richard Johnson (1982–84)
• Most blocked kicks, season: 6, Richard Johnson (1984)
• Most blocked kicks, game: 3, Richard Johnson (September 15, 1984, vs. Missouri)

Note ‡-indicates NCAA FBS Record, †-indicates Big Ten Conference Record

All Data from The Wisconsin Football Fact Book^[28]

Retired numbers

Elroy Hirsch

¹ Shafer played only six games in 1944 before his death from injuries received in a game on November 11. He was 17 years old.^[29][30]

College Football Hall of Fame

Beginning with George Little and Dave Schreiner in the 1955 class, the Badgers have had 13 former players and coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Wisconsin has had 3 former players, graduates enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Big Ten West-division opponents

Wisconsin plays the other six Big Ten West opponents once per season.

Future Big Ten East-division opponents

Non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of July 13, 2018
In 2015, the Big Ten announced that starting in 2016 it will no longer allow its members to play Football Championship Subdivision teams, and will also require at least one non-conference game against a school in the Power Five conferences (ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC). Games against FBS independents Notre Dame and BYU will count toward the Power Five requirement.^[33] Any game schedule prior to the announcement were allowed to stay on the schedule.

██ P5 opponents

^[34]

National Football League

source:^[36][37]

Canadian Football League

• Devin Smith - Toronto Argonauts^[38]