Badgers

General Information

Conference: Big Ten
NCAA Division: Division 1
City: Madinson, Wisconsin
Stadium: Camp Randall Stadium

Championships

• Championships: None
• National Championships: 1
• Conference Titles:14
• Divisional Championships:5

Past Conferences

N/A

Wisconsin Badgers Stats & Analysis

Check out all the information related to team stats.

All-Time Wisconsin Badgers Stats & Records

Passing Yards

• Darell Bevell: 7,685
• Joel Stave: 7,635
• John Stocco: 7,227
• Brooks Bollinger: 5,627
• Alex Hornibroom: 5,43

Rushing Yards

• Ron Dayne: 7,125
• Jonathan Taylor: 6,174
• Montee Ball: 5,140
• Melvin Gordon: 4,915
• Anthony Davis: 4,676

Receiving Yards

• Lee Evans: 3,468
• Jared Abbrederis: 3,140
• Brandon Williams: 2,924
• Nick Toon : 2,447
• Travis Beckum: 2,149

Wisconsin Badgers – NCAAF History

Team History

The University of Wisconsin Badgers football team began play in 1889 and joined the Big Ten in its inaugural 1896 season. In their first season, they won the first-ever Big Ten Championship after posting a 7-1-1 record.

The Badgers wouldn’t win another Big Ten championship for 40 years. In 1948, they named Ivy Williamson head coach. Wisconsin’s defense during the 50s was as solid as it came; they were given the nickname “The Hard Rocks.” In 1952, the Badgers were ranked first by the AP poll for the first time. They also won the Big Ten for the first time since 1912 and punched their tickets to the Rose Bowl for the first time in school history. Running back Alan Ameche won the Heisman in 1954. Ameche was the first Badger to ever win the award.

The 60s and 70s were filled with multiple disappointing seasons. In the early 80s, there seemed to be some light in the tunnel, as the Badgers put together three straight winning seasons, between 1981 and 1984, under head coach Dave McClain. McClain tragically passed away in 1986.

Barry Alvarez became head coach in 1990 and changed the culture immediately. Alvarez devised a plan to rebuild the program with recruiting. He recruited the top high-school players in the state and motivated them to stay in the state. Additionally, he lured players to become walk-on. In 1990, he wasn’t very successful; they finished 1-10, but soon after, in 1993, they went 10-1-1, won the Big Ten Championship, and won their first Rose Bowl.

Big Wins

The late 90s were big. In 1998, the team won the most games in Badger football history with 11. In 1999, they captured the Big Ten Championship for the first time in nearly 40 years. They were led by all-time NCAA rushing leader and 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne.

Alvarez was out in 2006 and finished 118-73-4. He’s still the lone Big Ten Coach to win two straight Rose Bowls. From 2006-2012, under Coach Bret Bielema, was possibly the best era for The Badgers. They won three straight Big Ten Titles from 2010-2012, under Coach Bielema. They went 68–24 in that stretch, finished top 10 three times, and then finished top 25 six times.

More recently, under Coach Paul Chryst, the Badgers have been consistent. The Badgers have finished with a winning record in each of the past seven seasons and have appeared in multiple Big Ten Championship games. The Badgers consistently boast one of the best offensive lines and best running games in the nation. The Badgers have over 30 players currently in the NFL, including stars like JJ Watt, TJ Watt, and Russell Wilson.