Tawee Walker rushed for 126 yards in another impressive game, while Braedyn Locke threw for a touchdown and ran for another, leading Wisconsin to a 23-3 victory over Northwestern on Saturday.
The Badgers (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) enjoyed another easy win, dominating the Wildcats (3-4, 1-3) after previously defeating Purdue and Rutgers by a total score of 94-13.
“You see it in all three phases,” said coach Luke Fickell. “You see this complementary ball, you see this opportunistic team. That happens when you have poise and you have some confidence.”
Walker, who had a career-high 198 yards against Rutgers last week, performed well again. He carried the ball 23 times, including a 24-yard run that helped set up Wisconsin’s first touchdown, facing a defense ranked ninth in the nation against the run.
Locke passed for 160 yards, completing 14 of 24 passes with one interception, in his fourth start since Tyler Van Dyke got injured in a loss to Alabama on September 14. He also scored an 8-yard touchdown run that put Wisconsin ahead 7-0 early in the second quarter.
Cade Yacamelli added a 3-yard touchdown after John Pius forced a fumble just before halftime. Sebastian Cheeks and Curt Neal stripped the ball from Jack Lausch at the start of the fourth quarter, extending the score to 23-3.
Strength coach Brady Collins had a memorable moment on Saturday when he jumped into Lake Michigan as promised if the Badgers won. This victory also avenged a 24-10 loss to Northwestern at Camp Randall Stadium last year.
“I think the whole week was just a reminder of what happened last year,” said safety Hunter Wohler. “They came into our place and beat the brakes off, really. Last year, we did not play well. They executed and did their thing and beat us bad at home.”
Northwestern missed several key chances and struggled to keep drives going, resulting in a tough afternoon during their fifth and final game this year at their temporary lakefront stadium.
The Wildcats will face No. 4 Ohio State and No. 22 Illinois at Wrigley Field on November 16 and 30. A new Ryan Field is set to open in 2026. Quarterback Lausch completed only 9 of 24 passes for 82 yards.
“A lot of uncharacteristic stuff showing up today,” said coach David Braun. “At the end of the day, that’s something that comes back on me. I’ll own it. We’ve got to be better.” Wisconsin was ahead 14-0 at halftime after a big turnover in the final minute.
Northwestern had Lausch, who was 4 for 14 in the half, attempt to pass with the ball on their own 8-yard line. Pius got a strip-sack, and Elijah Hills recovered the ball at the 3-yard line. Cade Yacamelli took the pitch on the next play and scored.
Wisconsin’s first touchdown came in the opening minute of the second quarter when Locke ran in from the 8-yard line. This completed a 66-yard drive after Northwestern’s Luke Akers missed a 51-yard field goal attempt.
After Wisconsin scored, Northwestern advanced to the 10-yard line. However, Ben Barten from Wisconsin blocked Akers’ field goal attempt. The Wildcats then returned the favor when Jaiden Cameron blocked Nathanial Vakos’ 41-yard attempt.
Akers got a 26-yard field goal to make it 14-3 midway through the third quarter. The Wildcats then took over at the Wisconsin 44-yard line when Greyson Metz knocked the ball away from Locke as he was passing. But instead of scoring, they went three and out.
