In a chilly night under the lights at Camp Randall Stadium, the Wisconsin Badgers' hopes for a Big Ten turnaround took a hit as they fell 24-10 to the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday evening. Hunter Simmons, the redshirt junior quarterback thrust into the starting role amid ongoing offensive woes, couldn't quite steady the ship in his first full outing for the Badgers.
The game kicked off with Michigan asserting dominance early, their ground game churning out yards like clockwork. Justice Haynes, the Wolverines' elusive running back, ripped off 117 yards and two touchdowns, including a 22-yard scamper that silenced the home crowd just before halftime. Wisconsin's defense, usually a stout unit, looked a step slow, allowing Michigan to control the clock and the tempo. Indeed, the Badgers managed only 10 points, their lone score coming from a gritty 5-yard run by their own tailback in the third quarter.
Simmons, who transferred from Southern Illinois and had seen limited action before this, completed 14 of 25 passes for 162 yards but threw a costly interception in the red zone that Michigan turned into momentum. However, the pressure mounted quickly; the offensive line, plagued by injuries all season, gave him little time to breathe. Moreover, the Badgers' rushing attack fizzled out, totaling just 78 yards on the ground. It was a frustrating display, one that highlighted the depth issues plaguing Luke Fickell's squad this year.
Post-game, Simmons spoke briefly to reporters, acknowledging the team's execution flaws without excuses. "We had chances, but we didn't capitalize," he said, his voice carrying a hint of resolve amid the disappointment. Michigan, now 2-0 in conference play, moves on with quiet confidence, while Wisconsin drops to 2-4 overall, staring down a tough stretch ahead.
As the Badgers head into their next matchup, questions linger about the quarterback carousel and whether this loss marks another chapter in a rebuilding narrative—or something more concerning.