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Wisconsin snaps 10-game Big Ten losing streak with upset win over No. 23 Washington as punter leads team in passing

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Wisconsin Finally Secures a Big Ten Win, Thanks to Punter Sean West’s Unconventional Contribution

The Wisconsin Badgers snapped a daunting 10-game Big Ten conference losing streak with a hard-fought 13-10 victory over No. 23 Washington. Remarkably, this breakthrough win featured punter Sean West leading the team in passing, highlighting a unique and memorable performance for Wisconsin.

The Badgers’ Conference Struggles

Wisconsin’s conference losing streak stretched back to October 19, 2024. The team ended the 2024 season on a five-game skid and opened 2025 with another five consecutive conference losses. This lengthy drought had placed significant pressure on the program and its coaching staff.

Coaching Stability Amid Uncertainty

Just days before the win, Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh confirmed that head coach Luke Fickell would return for the 2026 season. Fickell’s future had been uncertain throughout the rough stretch, but McIntosh publicly voiced his support in September, providing some reassurance to fans and players alike.

The Game: Scoring and Key Plays

Wisconsin scored the final 10 points to secure the victory. Carter Smith tied the game at 10-10 during the third quarter before kicker Nathanial Vakos nailed a go-ahead field goal with 1:58 remaining in the third. Washington missed a crucial field goal on the following drive, and both teams combined for four more drives that resulted in no points. Wisconsin ultimately ran out the clock over 22 plays, covering 69 yards amid cold rain and snowflakes.

Sean West’s Surprising Passing Role

One of the game’s standout moments was punter Sean West leading Wisconsin in passing yards. West was one of four Badgers players to attempt a pass on Saturday and caught the spotlight with a 24-yard completion to Jackson Acker on a fake punt early in the third quarter. This single play accounted for half of Wisconsin’s total passing yards.

Quarterback Performance and Injuries

The team’s quarterbacks struggled for much of the game. Hunter Simmons, Carter Smith, and Danny O’Neil combined to complete just 5 of 17 passes for 24 yards. O’Neil, who began the season as the backup but took over starting duties after Billy Edwards’ Week 1 knee injury, threw only two passes before leaving the game with a lower-body injury.

Freshman Carter Smith stepped in and played the entire second half, going 3 for 12 passing for 8 yards. Simmons also contributed late in the first half, completing 2 of 3 passes for 16 yards.

Defense Seals the Win

Wisconsin’s defense played a critical role in the victory, forcing two turnovers and limiting Washington’s explosive offense to just 251 total yards. The Huskies’ lone touchdown came on a 1-yard drive following a blocked punt recovered near the end zone.

Looking Ahead

This long-awaited Big Ten win could be a turning point for Wisconsin football, providing renewed confidence and momentum as they move forward in the season. With strong defensive play and creative special teams efforts like West’s passing, the Badgers have shown resilience and adaptability on their path back to competitiveness.
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/wisconsin-snaps-10-game-big-ten-losing-streak-with-upset-win-over-no-23-washington-as-punter-leads-team-in-passing-011141601.html

“This team hasn’t had a challenge like that in a while”- Dani Busboom Kelly opens up about Nebraska Volleyball’s match against Wisconsin

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**Nebraska Volleyball Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly Previews Key Match Against Wisconsin Badgers**

The Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team is gearing up to face off against the Wisconsin Badgers tomorrow at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin. In a recent press conference, head coach Dani Busboom Kelly shared insights about the much-anticipated matchup and the team’s strategy.

Despite Nebraska having won all three matches against Wisconsin last season, Coach Kelly emphasized that the Huskers are not taking the upcoming game lightly. When asked if the team is ready, she responded,

*“Feels like they are hungry and just excited to play in a crazy environment and, you know, take on another great player. I think it’s always fun to, um, go into a match, you know, hoping to perform at a high level and be able to slow somebody down. Um, but you know, I also think this team hasn’t had a challenge like that in a while. So, you know, hopefully it doesn’t come out that we’ve been complacent or that, you know, we need this.”* [00:31 onwards]

The Nebraska Volleyball team is currently on an impressive winning streak, having secured 20 consecutive victories this season. Even more remarkable is that the last 11 games were clean sweeps, with the Huskers not conceding a single set.

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**Rebekah Allick Highlights Nebraska’s Drive for a National Championship**

Nebraska player Rebekah Allick recently spoke about the team’s ultimate goal: reclaiming the NCAA Championship. The Cornhuskers haven’t won the national title since 2017, and Allick stressed that the current winning streak means little without securing the championship.

In a pre-game press conference, Allick reflected on the team’s perspective:

*“It’s an accolade, but it’s nothing more than an Instagram post. It doesn’t decide if you won the national championship or a conference title or anything. Becoming fixated on the outcome has never ever worked in anyone’s favor. So just staying in the moment is huge. And a big takeaway that I have from John Cook, like just coaching me over the last few years, he almost used to come with a little bit of an attitude when we were ranked number one. He was like, ‘So you think you guys can just coach this week because you’re ranked number one?’”*

Since their last NCAA Championship win in 2017, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have come agonizingly close on three occasions, finishing as runners-up in 2018, 2021, and 2023.

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With momentum on their side and a focused mindset, the Nebraska Cornhuskers aim to continue their dominance and push closer to their championship aspirations as they take on the Wisconsin Badgers tomorrow. Fans can expect a thrilling showdown at the UW Field House.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/olympics/news-this-team-challenge-like-while-dani-busboom-kelly-opens-nebraska-volleyball-s-match-wisconsin