Wisconsin Football kicks off its 2026 home schedule tonight with a matchup against Western Illinois at Camp Randall Stadium. The game begins at 6:15 p.m. CT and will be shown live on the Big Ten Network.
Recent performance
Last Sunday the Badgers fell 41‑13 to No. 4 Notre Dame at Lambeau Field. A solid defensive effort kept the halftime score close at 13‑10, but Notre Dame surged in the second half, scoring 14 points in the first seven minutes of the third quarter to pull away.
What the Badgers hope to achieve
Wisconsin looks to bounce back on Saturday, opening a two‑game stretch before beginning Big Ten play at Penn State on Sept. 26. The Badgers have won 101 games at Camp Randall over the past 20 seasons, a record surpassed by only ten FBS programs. Against unranked opponents at home, they are 87‑13 in that span.
Series history
This is the first meeting between the Badgers and the Leathernecks since 2014, when Wisconsin won 37‑3. The three all‑time contests have all been victories for Wisconsin, with a combined score of 102‑26.
Home opener tradition
The 2026 home opener marks the 110th season of Badgers football at Camp Randall. Wisconsin has won 28 consecutive home openers against non‑conference foes, a streak dating back to 1995.
Opponent scouting report
Western Illinois opened its season with a 41‑10 loss to Illinois State, falling behind 27‑3 at halftime. The Leathernecks managed only 52 rushing yards on 23 carries and threw for 263 yards, completing 26 of 40 attempts. Quarterback Cason Carswell was 9‑of‑18 for 140 yards; receiver Kennedy McGill caught 14 passes for 122 yards, while Christian Anaya added four catches for 78 yards. Illinois State’s ground game was strong, gaining 239 yards on 47 carries (5.7 ypc). Western Illinois converted just 4 of 15 third‑down attempts and was penalized ten times for 76 yards.
Looking ahead
With a supportive home crowd and a long tradition of success at Camp Randall, the Badgers aim to use this game as a springboard toward a competitive Big Ten season.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
