Owen Tyler
Writer
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers pulled off a gritty milestone in front of their home crowd Saturday, edging the Washington Huskies 13 to 10 at Camp Randall Stadium. The win snapped a six game overall losing streak and delivered Wisconsin’s first victory over a ranked opponent since 2021. It was also the first time head coach Luke Fickell has beaten a Top 25 team at Wisconsin.
Washington entered the day ranked number 23. The Huskies jumped out to a 10 to 3 halftime lead with a 42 yard field goal and a one yard touchdown pass from quarterback Demond Williams Jr. to receiver Denzel Boston. But Wisconsin flipped the script in the third quarter. Freshman quarterback Carter Smith powered in a two yard rushing touchdown to tie the game, and kicker Nathanial Vakos drilled a 32 yard field goal to give the Badgers a 13 to 10 lead. Neither team scored again in the fourth quarter.
Defensively, Wisconsin was as sharp as it has been all year. The Badgers held Washington to just over 200 total yards and forced two turnovers while committing none. On offense, Wisconsin leaned on the run game, with Gideon Ituka rushing for 73 yards on 19 carries and Smith adding 47 yards and the team’s only touchdown.
“This group showed toughness today,” Coach Luke Fickell said after the game. “We weren’t flawless, but we made enough plays and kept working. That’s what wins you games in the end.”
For Washington, the loss stings. The Huskies were favored by double digits and never found rhythm after halftime. “We know what the task was,” Washington coach Jedd Fisch said earlier in the week. “We just didn’t execute when it mattered.”
Key Takeaways
Wisconsin’s win marks a turning point. It is their first against a ranked opponent since 2021 and a major confidence boost for a young roster. The Badgers made it about defense and running the football, controlling tempo and limiting mistakes. Washington’s offense was quiet after halftime and failed to finish drives when it mattered most.
What’s Next
Wisconsin will try to build on this momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. The goal is to keep improving on offense while keeping the same defensive energy that carried them today. For Washington, the focus shifts to regrouping quickly before the loss snowballs
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