(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – Wisconsin football scored a 36-9 win over Western Illinois in the 2026 home opener at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday night.
The Badgers’ (1-1) win over the Leathernecks (1-2) marks their 29th consecutive win against a non-conference opponent in their home opener, a streak that dates back to 1995.
Wisconsin wasted no time getting on the board; in an explosive start, RB Abu Sama III ran 72 yards down the side for a touchdown on the first snap of the game. The impressive run marked the Iowa State transfer’s first ever TD in a Badger uniform.
The following drive, Sama got loose again, this time for 31 yards. On just three carries, the senior picked up 100 rushing yards in the first five minutes of the game. The Badgers completed the drive with a 30-yard field goal by K Gavin Lahm to go up 10-0 with 10:15 remaining in the first.
It was safety Carson Van Dinter who boosted Badger spirits even further in the first, when he blocked a Western Illinois punt from their own 30-yard line. Van Dinter quickly recovered the ball at the Leatherneck’s 3-yard line and marched into the end zone for Wisconsin’s second touchdown of the quarter.
Wisconsin’s 17-0 lead was shortened with 1:52 remaining in the first, when Western Illinois scored their first points on a 27-yard field goal, and brought the score to 17-3.
Going into the second quarter, there was no let up. Instead, the Badgers brought the score to 20-3, this time on a 49-yard field goal from Lahm.
The next possession ended in Western Illinois’ second field goal of the game. Wisconsin responded immediately, and a 42-yard kickoff return by running back Nate Palmer put the Badgers in excellent field position on their own 42-yard line. This ultimately set up Lahm for yet another field goal and a score of 23-6. At 51 yards, it was the longest of the senior’s career.
The first points of the second half brought the score to 23-9 when Western Illinois made a 34-yard field goal.
Wisconsin went up again 30-9 when running back Darrion Dupree broke away for a 28-yard rushing touchdown. These were the first points of the season for the Wisconsin veteran, who’s entering his third season with the team.
It was Wisconsin’s passing game that stole the show for the final moments of the night. With 5:14 remaining in the fourth quarter,
Quarterback Colton Joseph threw for 51 yards to wide receiver Tyrell Henry, putting the Badgers on Western Illinois’ 33-yard line. From there, wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr. was set up for a 33-yard touchdown pass, the first of his career to round out the scoring.
Sama led the game in rushing yards, totaling 107 yards. Henry had 91 receiving yards and Joseph ended the night 12 for 22 with 173 yards through the air. On the defensive end, LB Cooper Catalano logged 13 tackles, the second highest of his career.
UP NEXT: Wisconsin will stay at home next weekend to welcome Eastern Michigan (1-2) back to Camp Randall for the first time since 2021. Kickoff is slated for 11:30 a.m.,
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