(UW ATHLETICS) STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The Wisconsin Badgers completed a 17-point comeback to defeat No. 13 Penn State, 24-20, at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night. Colton Joseph threw two touchdown passes in the final 3:31 of play to propel the Badgers to their largest road comeback since 2001. UW has now won 3 of its last 4 games against ranked opponents, dating back to last season.
To watch Luke Fickell’s post-game news conference, click below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLHHbCgW7bM
The Badgers’ defense came out firing, forcing Penn State to punt on its opening possession. Wisconsin then turned in a goal-line stand on the Nittany Lions’ second drive, with OLB Tyreese Fearbry breaking up a pass to keep Penn State out of the end zone. The Nittany Lions settled for a field goal to take the 3-0 lead.
Wisconsin’s offense opened the second quarter with an 18-yard pass to WR Eugene Hilton Jr., before Penn State’s Josiah Zayas intercepted QB Colton Joseph and returned the pick 51 yards for a touchdown.
Joseph threw another interception on the following drive, giving Penn State’s offense the ball on Wisconsin’s 11-yard line. Three plays later the Nittany Lions extended their lead to 17-0.
The Badgers found the endzone for the first time late in the second quarter to bring the score within 10. The scoring drive was highlighted by a 22-yard pass to TE Jacob Harris and Joseph’s 7-yard touchdown rush.
While the offense stalled on the opening drive of the second half, Wisconsin’s defense came up with its first takeaway of the game, courtesy of DL Charles Perkins’ first career interception. Gavin Lahm followed with a 34-yard field goal to bring the Badgers within one score.
Penn State responded with a field goal of its own, making the score 20-10.
Wisconsin’s defense came up big to start the fourth quarter, keeping Penn State off the scoreboard on back-to-back drives despite Joseph throwing his third interception of the game.
The Badgers brought the game within three after their 75-yard drive resulted in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Joseph to WR Eugene Hilton Jr., his first career touchdown reception.
UW took its first lead of the game with 1:13 remaining when Joseph connected with Harris for a 72-yard touchdown reception. Two pass break ups by CB Javan Robinson on the final defensive drive, including one in the end zone, helped seal the upset victory for the Badgers.
Joseph ended the night with 235 passing yards and three touchdowns, including a rushing score. Harris had a team-high five receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown, while RB Darrion Dupree posted 52 yards on the ground.
LB Mason Posa paced the defense with 12 tackles (8 solo) and one tackle for a loss. Perkins caught his first career interception, and the first by a Badger defensive lineman since 2018. DL Hammond Russell IV caused chaos up front with a pass breakup, 1.5 sacks, and 1.5 tackles for losses.
Up Next: UW returns to Camp Randall on Saturday, Oct. 3 to host Michigan State for Homecoming. Kickoff against the Spartans is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CT, with the game airing on Big Ten Network.
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