Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Badgers football team kicked off the 2026 season with a resounding 36-9 win over the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday night. The triumph marked the Badgers’ 29th consecutive non‑conference home‑opener victory, a streak that dates back to 1995.
Explosive start sets the tone
Wisconsin struck first on the opening snap when senior running back Abu Sama III burst 72 yards for a touchdown, his first ever score in a Badger uniform after transferring from Iowa State. Sama continued his dominance, adding a 31‑yard rush later in the drive. He finished the first five minutes with 100 rushing yards on just three carries.
Following the touchdown, kicker Gavin Lahm nailed a 30‑yard field goal, giving the Badgers a 10‑0 lead with 10:15 left in the first quarter.
Special teams and defense add to the lead
Safety Carson Van Dinter blocked a Western Illinois punt at the opponent’s 30‑yard line, recovered the ball at the 3‑yard line and ran it in for a second Badger touchdown, extending the lead to 17‑0.
Western Illinois managed a 27‑yard field goal with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter, cutting the deficit to 17‑3.
Second quarter builds momentum
The Badgers answered with a 49‑yard field goal from Lahm, making it 20‑3. After a second Leatherneck field goal, Wisconsin’s special teams shone again when running back Nate Palmer returned the kickoff 42 yards to Wisconsin’s own 42‑yard line, setting up another Lahm field goal—this time a career‑long 51‑yard effort—pushing the score to 23‑6.
Second half highlights
Western Illinois added a 34‑yard field goal early in the third quarter, bringing the tally to 23‑9. Wisconsin responded with a 28‑yard rushing touchdown by senior running back Darrion Dupree, his first points of the season, widening the margin to 30‑9.
In the fourth quarter, quarterback Colton Joseph connected with wide receiver Tyrell Henry for a 51‑yard pass, placing the ball at the Leatherneck 33‑yard line. Wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr. then caught a 33‑yard touchdown pass—the first of his career—capping the scoring at 36‑9.
Statistical standouts
Sama led the game with 107 rushing yards. Henry contributed 91 receiving yards, while Joseph completed 12 of 22 passes for 173 yards through the air. On defense, linebacker Cooper Catalano recorded 13 tackles, the second‑highest total of his career.
Looking ahead
Wisconsin will remain at home next weekend to host Eastern Michigan, who enters the game with a 1‑2 record. The matchup is scheduled for a 11:30 a.m. kickoff at Camp Randall, marking the first Badgers‑Eastern Michigan meeting at the stadium since 2021.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
