Badgers' Streak Snapped: A Tough Loss to Nebraska Highlights Challenges for Wisconsin Football
Wisconsin’s football dominance over Nebraska came to an abrupt and disappointing halt on Saturday. The Badgers fell 44-25 to the Cornhuskers in front of a raucous sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium, marking Nebraska’s 403rd consecutive home sellout. This game wasn’t just any win for the Huskers—it broke a 10-game losing streak to the Badgers and clinched their sixth victory of the season, making them bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016.
For Wisconsin, it was a game riddled with missed opportunities and a lack of the physical edge fans are used to seeing. Despite some bright spots, like redshirt sophomore quarterback Braedyn Locke’s solid performance, the Badgers couldn’t match Nebraska’s energy or execution. Locke delivered an impressive stat line, completing 20 of 30 passes for 292 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
Key Takeaways from Wisconsin’s Loss
Here’s a deeper look at how the Badgers came up short against Nebraska:
1. Defense Falters After Strong Showing Against Oregon
One of the silver linings from last week’s loss to Oregon was Wisconsin’s defense, which had managed to hold the Ducks to their lowest point total and second-lowest yardage total of the season. Unfortunately, that defensive effort didn’t carry over to Lincoln.
Nebraska, playing in only its second game under a new offensive coordinator, looked unstoppable at times. The Cornhuskers racked up 471 yards, their second-highest total of the season, and displayed their best offensive performance since a 418-yard game against Purdue in September.
The ground game was a particular sore spot for the Badgers. Nebraska tallied 180 rushing yards, the second-highest total against Wisconsin this season, including five runs that went for 20 yards or more. Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola also shone, completing 28 of 38 passes for 293 yards and a touchdown. His efficiency rating of 147.1 underscored the Badgers’ inability to contain him.
2. A Missed Fourth-Down Conversion Highlights Line-of-Scrimmage Struggles
Physical dominance at the line of scrimmage has long been a hallmark of Wisconsin football, but that identity was noticeably absent on Saturday.
The struggles were epitomized during a pivotal moment in the third quarter. Facing a fourth-and-2 at Nebraska’s 25-yard line, Wisconsin loaded up the front, seemingly prepared to grind out the short yardage. Instead, running back Tawee Walker was stuffed for a 1-yard loss, ending the drive with 6:25 remaining in the quarter.
Although the Badgers averaged 4.5 yards per carry through three quarters, they failed to deliver when it mattered most. The issues weren’t limited to offense—Wisconsin’s defensive line also struggled to assert itself, allowing Nebraska to win the physical battle on both sides of the ball.
3. A Costly Fumble Before Halftime
Sometimes, one moment can shift the momentum of a game, and that moment came late in the first half for Wisconsin.
Trailing 21-10, head coach Luke Fickell made the controversial decision to run one more play with time winding down. The move backfired spectacularly when Tawee Walker fumbled the ball for the first time this season. Nebraska’s Stefon Thompson recovered the ball at Wisconsin’s 31-yard line with just 11 seconds left.
The Cornhuskers capitalized immediately, with kicker John Hohl nailing a 37-yard field goal to extend their lead to 24-10 as the first half ended. Hindsight might make the decision look worse, but even at the moment, the risk seemed to outweigh the potential reward, especially with Nebraska gaining momentum after scoring touchdowns on two of their previous three possessions.
4. Special Teams Woes Continue
Field goals were another sore spot for Wisconsin. Kicker Nathanial Vakos struggled in the first half, going 1-for-3 on field goal attempts. He missed from 34 and 41 yards, both from the right hash, which is well within his range.
To make matters worse, the Badgers hurt themselves with a delay-of-game penalty that negated a 29-yard field goal Vakos had made earlier in the game. Those missed points loomed large, especially as Nebraska turned around and scored touchdowns on the ensuing possessions. Instead of closing the gap, Wisconsin found itself trailing 14-7 and then 21-10 by halftime.
Bright Spots Amid the Struggles
Despite the overall disappointment, a few individual performances stood out for the Badgers.
- Braedyn Locke’s Growth: Locke continues to show promise as Wisconsin’s quarterback. His ability to connect on deep passes and orchestrate drives kept the Badgers competitive for stretches of the game.
- Rushing Duo: Freshman Darrion Dupree made the most of his limited carries, racking up 63 yards on just eight attempts. Walker, though he had a tough day overall, managed 55 yards on 14 carries.
However, even these performances couldn’t compensate for the team’s broader struggles. Nebraska outgained Wisconsin 499-407, showcasing better execution in nearly every facet of the game.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Badgers?
The loss to Nebraska not only snapped Wisconsin’s decade-long dominance in the rivalry but also raised serious questions about the team’s ability to adapt and execute under pressure.
With the regular season nearing its end, the Badgers must regroup quickly to salvage their campaign. Their next matchups will test whether they can address the issues that plagued them in Lincoln—particularly their struggles on the line of scrimmage, inconsistent defense, and special teams errors.
Final Thoughts
For Nebraska, this win was monumental. Becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016 is a testament to the progress they’ve made this season. For Wisconsin, the game served as a harsh reminder of the work still needed to compete at a high level consistently.
The Badgers will need more than talent to bounce back—they’ll need grit, better execution, and the ability to capitalize on critical moments. Fans will be watching closely to see how this team responds in the weeks to come.
If you’re a Badgers supporter, there’s still reason for hope. Wisconsin has faced adversity before and emerged stronger. The question now is whether they can find that strength again.
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