Story by
Wisconsin football vs. Western Illinois: Recap, stats, and highlights
- Story by
- Wisconsin football vs. Western Illinois: Recap, stats, and highlights
Taking down Notre Dame in Week 1 would've been incredible, but Wisconsin Badgers fans always knew that was a nearly impossible feat.
Here in Week 2, Luke Fickell was able to get back on track with a 36-9 victory over Western Illinois .
Advertisement
The Badgers opened as five-plus-touchdown favorites in this one, and for good reason. They jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first eight minutes, all headlined by the opening play 72-yard touchdown run by Abu Sama.
Sama led the team with eight carries for 107 yards. Bryan Jackson was far more involved in the run game this week, as he had a team-high 10 carries for 40 yards. Darrion Dupree had four carries for 38 yards, which included a 28-yard touchdown.
Malachi Coleman didn't catch a pass in this game as he left in the second quarter. Colton Joseph was 12/22 for 173 yards with a touchdown to Chris Brooks Jr., which just so happened to be the first of his career. That said, Tyrell Henry led the way with four catches for 91 yards.
Cooper Catalano was the lone Badger to have double-digit tackles on the night (13). Mason Posa had a quiet night as he was banged up, but a trio of Badgers had a tackle for loss, and Matthew Jung was second on the team with seven total tackles.
Advertisement
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Jordon Lawrenz on X @ jordonlaw_pxp .
Final: Wisconsin 36, Western Illinois 9
10:26 PM ET, September 12 2026
The Badgers secure their first win of the season, improving to 1-1 while Western Illinois falls to 1-2.
Q4 - 5:14: Wisconsin 36, Western Illinois 9
10:10 PM ET, September 12 2026
Wisconsin's definitive drive of the game saw them go 84 yards down the field in just two plays. Colton Joseph's arm was on full display with passes of 51 and 33 yards.
Advertisement
The extra point was missed.
Q4 - 7:45: Wisconsin 30, Western Illinois 9
09:59 PM ET, September 12 2026
Neither team has had anything going for them in these last few minutes.
One would have to imagine this is Western Illinois' last big chance to try to mount a comeback!
End of 3rd Quarter: Wisconsin 30, Western Illinois 9
09:41 PM ET, September 12 2026
UW holds a 21-point lead, but it's Western Illinois' ball going into the final 15 minutes!
Turnover on downs
09:35 PM ET, September 12 2026
Wisconsin comes up with a huge stop on 4th and 3, so they'll take over in Western Illinois territory with 1:49 remaining in the third quarter.
Advertisement
Q3 - 5:39: Wisconsin 30, Western Illinois 9
09:26 PM ET, September 12 2026
Darrion Dupree made the most of his opportunity on this drive with a 28-yard touchdown!
Bryan Jackson really impressed on this drive with four carries for 18 yards.
All eight plays on this drive were on the ground.
Q3 - 10:24: Wisconsin 23, Western Illinois 9
09:18 PM ET, September 12 2026
Western Illinois committed a costly holding penalty that wiped away a touchdown, so they once again had to settle for three.
Injury update
09:03 PM ET, September 12 2026
Star wide receiver Malachi Coleman is listed as questionable to return.
Western Illinois begins the second half from its own 25-yard line.
Advertisement
Halftime stats
08:57 PM ET, September 12 2026
Colton Joseph is just 8/16 for 81 yards. He's carried the ball just one time for five yards.
Abu Sama leads the way with five carries for 101 yards with a touchdown. Darrion Dupree has added two carries for four yards, and then Tyrell Henry and Nate Palmer each have one carry for two yards.
Henry leads the way with three receptions for 40 yards while Eugene Hilton Jr. has two catches for 23 yards.
Cooper Catalano and Matthew Jung are leading the way with six tackles each. Tyreese Fearbry has the team's lone tackle for loss.
Halftime: Wisconsin 23, Western Illinois 6
08:42 PM ET, September 12 2026
Colton Joseph has completed just 50% of his passes, but UW carries a 17-point lead into halftime!
Advertisement
According to the broadcast, 23 points is the most Wisconsin has ever scored in the first half under Luke Fickell.
Q2 - 2:30: Wisconsin 23, Western Illinois 6
08:27 PM ET, September 12 2026
Gavin Lahm sets another new career high as he drills a 51-yard field goal to keep the Badgers' momentum rolling!
Q2 - 4:59: Wisconsin 20, Western Illinois 6
08:19 PM ET, September 12 2026
The Leathernecks go on another lengthy drive, but all they have is three more points to show for it.
Q2 - 12:48: Wisconsin 20, Western Illinois 3
08:08 PM ET, September 12 2026
A career-long 49-yard field goal for Gavin Lahm puts the Badgers ahead by 17!
Advertisement
End of 1st Quarter: Wisconsin 17, Western Illinois 3
07:55 PM ET, September 12 2026
A holding penalty wiped out a huge run in the final seconds, so Wisconsin will start the second quarter from its own 40-yard line!
Q1 - 1:52: Wisconsin 17, Western Illinois 3
07:50 PM ET, September 12 2026
Tyreese Fearbry made a huge third-down tackle, which held the Leathernecks to a field goal.
Q1 - 7:54: Wisconsin 17, Western Illinois 0
07:38 PM ET, September 12 2026
The blocked punt leads to a score! It was another three-and-out for Western Illinois, and Carson Van Dinter took advantage on special teams.
Q1 - 10:15: Wisconsin 10, Western Illinois 0
07:31 PM ET, September 12 2026
Abu Sama officially has 100 yards on his first three carries. Colton Joseph's throw to the end zone on third-and-goal was a bit high, but the Badgers were able to add a 30-yard field goal to take a two-possession lead.
Advertisement
Q1 - 14:40: Wisconsin 7, Western Illinois 0
07:19 PM ET, September 12 2026
Abu Sama nearly went untouched as he sprinted to the right and scored a 72-yard touchdown on the Badgers' first offensive play of the game!
Opening kickoff
07:16 PM ET, September 12 2026
Western Illinois will be kicking off, so it's Wisconsin's ball to start this one!
Kickoff in 15 minutes
07:00 PM ET, September 12 2026
Kickoff is right around the corner, and Hard Rock Bet now has the Badgers as 42.5-point favorites.
Injury update
06:32 PM ET, September 12 2026
On3's Evan Flood first reported the news.
Hear from Luke Fickell ahead of the game
05:58 PM ET, September 12 2026
Wisconsin arrives at Camp Randall
05:22 PM ET, September 12 2026
Wisconsin releases Week 2 hype video
04:32 PM ET, September 12 2026
Where to watch Wisconsin-Western Illinois
02:49 PM ET, September 12 2026
Advertisement
Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
TV Channel: Big Ten Network
Start Time: 7:15 p.m. ET, 6:15 p.m. CT
For those tuning in on the radio, the game will be available on Badger Radio Network.
Where to watch Wisconsin-Western Illinois football on livestream
In addition to being shown nationwide on Big Ten Network, viewers can also tune in to Wisconsin-Western Illinois on Fubo.
Watch Wisconsin-Western Illinois on Fubo
Wisconsin-Western Illinois betting odds
09:30 AM ET, September 12 2026
All college football odds via Hard Rock Bet
Spread: Wisconsin -39.5 (-115), Western Illinois +39.5 (-105)
Over-Under: Over 49.5 (-110), Under 49.5 (-110)
Money Line: N/A
Odds up to date as of 9:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, September 12
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football vs. Western Illinois: Recap, stats, and highlights
