Wisconsin Badgers during a Big Ten Conference NCAA college football game against the USC Trojans, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles, Cal. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)
2024 David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications

Football Andy Baggot

Baggot: Five things to know - Badgers host Boilermakers

Wisconsin looks to get back into the win column

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There are a couple ways you can look at how the Wisconsin football team has fared running the ball so far this season.

On one hand, the Badgers have a better per-game average than 10 of the other 17 schools in the Big Ten Conference. UW currently ranks a modest 71st nationally at 155.5 yards per outing, but ahead of a list of teams that, surprisingly, includes Oregon, Nebraska, Illinois, UCLA and Minnesota, programs that have recently finished among the top 30 in rushing offense.

On the other hand, UW has yet to have a 100-yard rusher after four games, is on pace to not have a 1,000-yard rusher in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2003 and ’04, and is flirting with the lowest average yards-per-game since it finished at 150.3 in 2015. Before that, the 1995 edition finished with an average of 128.9. Prior to that, the 1990 and ’91 clubs finished with 94.7 and 96.6 yards, respectively.  

If there’s a reason to feel good about the moment at hand is that the Badgers (2-2 overall, 0-1 in the Big Ten) host struggling Purdue at 11 a.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

UW has had an incredible run of success versus the Boilermakers (1-3, 0-1) with 17 consecutive victories going back to 2004. That includes eight straight wins at Camp Randall where Wisconsin has averaged 36.5 points and 240.3 rushing yards per outing.

Purdue, meanwhile, is currently allowing an average of 242 rushing yards per game overall, which ranks 131st out of 134 Football Bowl Subdivision programs.

Here are five more things to know:

WR CJ Williams had a career-high five catches last season versus Purdue

THEY'RE NOT ALONE

With 17 straight victories overall vs. Purdue, the Badgers currently own the fourth-longest active streak vs. a Power 4 conference opponent. The others: Ohio State vs. Indiana (29 games going back to 1991); Alabama vs. Vanderbilt (23 games going back to 1985); Florida State vs. Duke (22 games going back to 1992); Alabama vs. Arkansas (17 games going back to 2007); and Penn State vs. Rutgers (17 games going back to 1989). The Badgers are working on one other winning streak of 10 or more games vs. a Big Ten opponent. That would be Nebraska (10 games going back to 2012).

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 14: Wisconsin Badger running back Jonathan Taylor (23) looks to break a tackle to secure the game durning an college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Wisconsin Badgers on October 14th, 2017, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire)
RB Jonathan Taylor ran for 100+ yards versus Purdue three times

SPEAKING OF STREAKS

Since 2006, the Badgers have had nine different running backs turn in at least one 100-yard outing vs. Purdue. Braelon Allen did it three times, as did Jonathan Taylor and Montee Ball. Melvin Gordon and James White did it twice apiece. John Clay, Corey Clement, P.J. Hill and Chez Mellusi did it once each.  

The Wisconsin defense has only committed seven penalties this season

WAVING THE FLAG

An area where the Badgers have improved is in the number of penalties taken. They currently rank fourth nationally with 18 infractions for 103 yards (seven on defense, 11 on offense). That works out to 3.4 penalties per game and 25.8 yards per infraction. UW finished 53rd last season and 88th in 2022.

The Badger defense totaled 17 pressures last week versus USC

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

The UW defense had some quality moments vs. USC and quarterback Miller Moss, totaling 13 hurries, 17 pressures, one sack and forcing three turnovers overall.

Wisconsin has already played two schools ranked in the top-11 : No. 1 Alabama and No. 11 USC

THE ROAD AHEAD

Wisconsin hit the one-quarter pole of the regular season with a .500 record overall. The combined record of the teams the Badgers faced is 11-4 (Western Michigan 1-3, South Dakota State 3-1, Alabama 4-0 and USC 3-1). Things don’t look to get any easier in the weeks ahead. After dueling with the Boilermakers, UW must deal with Rutgers (4-0), Northwestern (2-2) and Penn State (4-0). Then comes a finishing kick that includes Iowa (3-1), Oregon (4-0), Nebraska (3-1) and Minnesota (2-3). In all, the Badgers will have faced the Nos. 1 (Alabama), 6 (Oregon), 7 (Penn State) and 11 (Southern Cal) clubs in the nation.

Hallman posed

1st & 10 with Ricardo Hallman

Is there a book that’s had a significant impact on your life?

I was in the African-American literature class this past semester and there was a Frederick Douglass autobiography, it was called “My Freedom, My Bondage.’’ I learned a lot from it. I was a really cool read and it inspired me a lot.

You have a second chance to relive any moment in your life, which do you choose?

I’ve messed up so many times in my life. I believe every failure I’ve had, every experience I had, really shaped me. What’s life without mistakes? So, I honestly feel like there’s nothing I’d go back and change because it all shaped me into the person I am today.

Is there a friend you consider family?

Darryl Peterson. That’s my brother. That’s my best friend.

A lie you tell yourself most often?

It’s usually around a sense of procrastinating. If it [involves] homework, [I think to myself] “I don’t feel like doing this; I’ll get to it later.’’ Getting to it later turns into, ‘I’ll get it done tomorrow.’’

A class you'd like to take again??

Anatomy and physiology or my African-American literature class because I learned so much. I’m a big anatomy and physiology geek. I love learning about the body. I want to learn as much as I can, so I would take either one of those classes.

What's something people would never guess by looking at you?

I’m really a nice guy. I’m the coolest dude and the easiest person to get along with. I think there’s a misconception there. I get a lot of talk from people that before they even talk to me, they see my face and feel like I’m a meaner guy. I’m a really nice and cool guy once you get to talk to me.

How do you deal with stress?

I pray a lot. I’m a Christian. I’m a firm believer in my relationship with God. Oftentimes, life can get stressful and overwhelming, especially with football and school.

What's your favorite thing about you?

I’m a great listener. I’ve heard from people that I’m a person that can be called on for quality advice.

What are you good at besides football?

I’m an everything sports guy. Love basketball. I’d say I’m pretty decent at basketball. I love sports.

What's your worst habit?

I hear from a lot of people that I’m a joker, that I don’t take a lot of things seriously. It’s something I’m trying to fix.

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2024 Schedule

After hosting Purdue, Wisconsin will be back at Camp Randall to host Penn State on Oct. 26

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