November 09, 2026 | Football
Freshman quarterback threw for 3 TDs in his first career start
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin freshman quarterback Ryan Hopkins was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for his performance in Wisconsin's 31-10 win over Rutgers on Saturday.
Hopkins, a true freshman from Newport Beach, California, threw for 241 yards and three scores on 18-of-24 passing in the victory. His 241 passing yards were the 3rd most for a Badger freshman in their debut, trailing Graham Mertz (2020) and Jim Sorgi (2000).
Hopkins' 3 passing TDs and 200.6 passer rating were the best marks for any freshman in the nation this week. Hopkins threw scores of 66, 21 and 11 yards, all to different Badger receivers. Eight different Badgers caught passes in the win.
Hopkins is the first Wisconsin to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors since LB Mason Posa earned the accolade last fall for his performance in UW's win over No. 23 Washington (Nov. 8). Hopkins joins QB Colton Joseph (OPOW - Oct. 5) and OLB Sebastian Cheeks (DPOW - Oct. 26) to round out a group that has earned Big Ten weekly honors this season.
Coming off of the win over Rutgers, the Badgers head to College Park, Maryland to take on the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT, with live coverage provided by FS1.
