Catalano and Posa earn Big Ten weekly awards

November 10, 2025 | Football

True freshman tandem helped Wisconsin down #23 Washington on Saturday

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Badger freshman linebacker duo of Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa reeled in a pair of Big Ten weekly awards, as announced by the conference on Monday. Catalano was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and Posa was tabbed as the conference’s Co-Freshman of the Week after a 13-10 win over No. 23 Washington on Saturday.

Catalano finished the game with 19 tackles, two TFLs and a sack, posting the most tackles for a Power 4 freshman since 2017 and the most for any Badger since Mike Taylor registered 22 in 2011. Catalano became the first Big Ten player to have 19 tackles and a sack in a game since 2018.

Catalano is the first Badger to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors since Hunter Wohler in 2023. He’s the first Wisconsin freshman to earn the conference's defensive honor since Chris Borland in 2009.

Posa flourished alongside Catalano on Saturday, posting 11 tackles, 2.5 sacks and both a forced and recovered fumble. The fumble recovery was a turning point in the game, setting the Badgers offense up for an easy score in a game where offense came at a premium. On Washington's final offensive play, Posa sealed the Badgers' win with a fourth-down sack.

Posa became the first FBS player this season to have 10+ tackles, 2.0+ sacks, a FF and FR in a game. He’s the first Power 4 player to do so since 2020. He becomes the first Badger to win the freshman award since wide receiver Trech Kekahuna in 2024.

With Catalano and Posa both earning accolades, it marks the first time multiple defensive players from the same team have earned Big Ten weekly honors in the same week since 2020 (Northwestern).

The Badgers head to Bloomington, Indiana on Saturday to take on the No.2 Indiana Hoosiers. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.