Wisconsin’s 24-20 upset of Penn State was the kind of win that changes the conversation in a hurry.
The Badgers opened their Big Ten slate by staring down a top-13 opponent, absorbing pressure, digging out of a big hole and still finding a way to finish the job. For a program that has taken plenty of heat, this was the sort of result that lands loud and clear. One of the biggest wins in recent memory didn’t just belong to Wisconsin - it belonged to Luke Fickell.
Fickell was the clearest winner here. The noise around him took a major hit after this one, because this was the kind of performance that buys real breathing room.
The defense stayed locked in from start to finish, the offense kept battling through turnover issues, and the Badgers still managed to create explosive plays when the game was hanging in the balance. Whatever chatter was out there about his seat got quiet fast.
Darrion Dupree was right there with him as one of the day’s biggest difference-makers. The junior running back had a rough start, but once he settled in, he became the steady outlet Wisconsin needed over and over again. He kept producing big play after big play and gave the Badgers exactly the kind of spark a comeback demands.
Dupree finished with 12 total touches for 96 total yards. That number doesn’t leap off the page by itself, but the timing of his work mattered. In a game defined by pressure and momentum swings, he came through in the moments Wisconsin needed most.
As for losers, this wasn’t the kind of game that lends itself to a long list.
Colton Joseph had some rough spots, and Kevin Heywood had some costly penalties late, but neither player really fits the usual loser label after a win like this. Joseph still came through when it mattered most, and Heywood ultimately did enough to help get the job done.
So the cleanest takeaway is simple: there weren’t any real losers here. Wisconsin got a massive win, the kind that the fanbase had every reason to savor.
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A big part of the challenge will be dealing with Penn State quarterback Rocco Becht, who Fickell singled out for his experience and ability to hurt defenses in more than one way. For Wisconsin, this is the kind of opener that can sharpen a teams identity quickly, because the Badgers are not just stepping into conference play, they are stepping into one of the toughest environments on the schedule with a polished opposing quarterback waiting on the other side. [Read more 🡒]