MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin football program hopes to get back on track and head into its first week off of the 2025 season on a winning note.
Wisconsin (2-1) hosts Maryland (3-0) for an 11 a.m. kickoff Saturday, which will be broadcast on NBC. The Badgers come off their 38-14 road loss at Alabama last weekend, while the Terrapins have knocked off two Group of Five programs and FCS Towson during the first quarter of their regular season.
Here’s what Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell discussed Monday:
His weekly opening statement during these press conferences
Playing redshirt freshmen on the offensive line such as Emerson Mandell, Colin Cubberly and Ryan Cory
What’s stymying Wisconsin’s rushing attack
The development of quarterbacks at youth and high school levels that’s allowed freshmen to start early in college
Wisconsin’s run defense and how “there’s a balance to everything that you do.”
If Fickell needs to speak with quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who could face his former team this week if healthy enough
Edwards and starting center Jake Renfro, and how “both of them are going to have an opportunity to play.”
How Cory “did a good job” against Alabama
Significance of recording a win before the Badgers’ first bye week of 2025
The running backs and dealing with a slow start to the rushing attack
If Fickell sees opportunities for deeper passes on offense
Looking at Wisconsin’s negative plays generated on defense
Inside linebacker Christian Alliegro
What he sees from Maryland’s offense and freshman quarterback Malik Washington
If he’s seen a change in demeanor from transfer offensive lineman Davis Heinzen, who lost his starting left tackle spot after Week 1
Safety Austin Brown, who he called “one of the more talented guys” at Wisconsin
