Wisconsin Badgers
Eastern Michigan
Badgers wrap up non-conference play against Eastern Michigan
September 17, 2026 | Football
Wisconsin hosts Eastern Michigan at Camp Randall on Saturday
MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin football team (1-1) is set to face off against Eastern Michigan (1-2) on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin’s fifth all-time meeting with the Eagles will be available to stream on Peacock.
Last weekend, the team celebrated a 36-9 win over Western Illinois. The Badgers were aided production from all three phases, including multiple rushing touchdowns, a fourth quarter passing score, and a returned blocked punt.
The Eagles are currently ranked first in the MAC and their lone win was over Sacramento State on Saturday, Aug. 29 (28-17). Eastern Michigan is coming off a 35-7 loss against Michigan State last weekend.
HOME CROWD HYPE
Luke Fickell spoke candidly this week about what a difference it makes to be playing at Camp Randall again.
“It was great to be at home. It was great to play at night. Once you actually get to kickoff, there is something special. The environment was awesome. I thought our crowd did a great job. That’s what we love.”
The Badgers will continue to soak up UW’s high energy this weekend before they head to Happy Valley to play Penn State next week.
RUSHING INTO THE SEASON
Abu Sama III and Darrion Dupree continue to build up Wisconsin’s run game. Each running back had a rushing touchdown in Saturday’s game against the Leathernecks, and Sama finished with 107 total rushing yards, posting his fifth career 100-yard rushing performance.
A PAIR OF PUNT BLOCKS
Carson Van Dinter's first quarter blocked punt set the tone for Wisconsin's eventual win. Van Dinter’s ensuing touchdown recovery marked the first time a blocked punt has been returned for a Badger touchdown since Aaron Henry did it on Oct. 31, 2009 vs. Purdue. The play gave UW blocked punts in back-to-back games after OLB Liam Danitz blocked Notre Dame's first punt attempt in game one.
SERIES HISTORY
Wisconsin meets Eastern Michigan for the fifth time in program history and for the first time since the Badgers secured a 34-7 victory in 2021. Wisconsin has outscored the Eagles 135-16 and is 4-0 in the series, with all four previous meetings taking place at Camp Randall Stadium.
The Badgers have won three-straight games at Camp Randall dating back to last season. The last time Wisconsin has scored four consecutive home wins was a stretch between the 2021 and 2022 season when the Badgers earned five-straight wins in Madison.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT - ILB THOMAS HEIBERGER
Thomas Heiberger has experienced different roles during his Wisconsin career, moving between linebacker positions before settling in at inside linebacker. The experience has given the junior a broader understanding of Wisconsin’s defense and how the pieces fit together.
“I enjoy it. I think this is where I am supposed to be,” said Heiberger. “I think I played both well, but playing both has opened my mind up to understand the whole defense and what we’ve got going on.”
Now at inside linebacker, Heiberger is part of a position group that takes pride in its depth and confidence in one another on and off the field.
“We pride ourselves in being the best linebacker core in the country, whoever we need out there, everyone’s got confidence in each other.”
