12 thoughts from Wisconsin football's upset win against No. 21 Illinois
A dozen takeaways from another November home win for the Badgers before AXE WEEK commences.
MADISON, Wis. — Luke Fickell walked into his postgame conference light-hearted, and right before launching into his opening statement, even told reporters that they could smile after another win by his University of Wisconsin football program.
Fickell saw his Wisconsin (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten) pull off yet another November home win against a Big Ten foe in the Top 25 of the College Football Playoff rankings. Seniors heavily contributed during their final home game in Camp Randall Stadium, and the Badgers played a complete game with offense, defense and special teams in sync during a 27-10 win over Bret Bielema and Illinois (7-4, 4-4) on Saturday.
“Obviously, that’s what complimentary football looks like, to be honest with you, and that’s what I’m most proud of right now,” Fickell said. “There’s nothing better than sending these seniors out of here the right way. I know this isn’t, the end all, be all, and it’s been a battle of ups and downs, and been a rough year, as you guys all know.
“But you got to play your best ball at the end of the year if you’re going to move in the right direction, and that’s what we’re starting to do in different ways. But that was a really, really good game for us tonight, in all three phases of what we need to do to be successful, to beat a top 25 team.”
Here are some thoughts from Wisconsin’s upset victory.
Darryl Peterson III led key seniors’ contributions
Peterson should be up for Big Ten defensive player of the week after his three-sack, six-tackle performance that included two additional quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He was simply a force that Illinois’ offensive line could not stop.
Fickell recalled that he was disappointed in the team’s “competitive spirit” during the second half against No. 2 Indiana last week. But Peterson emerged as a voice in the locker room at halftime Saturday.
“Darryl Peterson stepped up and said, ‘This is exactly what Coach has been talking about, about that nasty, competitive nature, to be able to go out and finish something, and we had to see it from us tonight,’” Fickell said.
“And I didn’t have to do a whole lot. And I told him, it means a hell of a lot more when it comes from them.”