(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – The Wisconsin Badgers scored another ranked win at Camp Randall, taking down No. 21 Illinois on Senior Night, 27-10. Wisconsin was led by 131 rushing yards from Darrion Dupree and a stout defensive effort. The Badgers held off the Fighting Illini to secure a pair of wins over ranked opponents for the first time in a single season since 2019.
On senior night, veteran players across the roster made important plays in the Badger victory. WR Vinny Anthony II opened the scoring for the Badgers on a 6-yard TD run and OLB Darryl Peterson notched three sacks. With 10 minutes to play, senior safety Charlie Jarvis made a key stop on an Illinois punt attempt to give Wisconsin possession deep in enemy territory. Shortly after, the Badgers pushed the lead to 14 on a four-yard run by Darrion Dupree.
To start the game, the Badgers defense came out with a stop on Illinois’ opening drive. After the Illini moved the ball into Wisconsin territory, the drive stalled out as UW’s Darryl Peterson tallied a sack on a 3rd and 9 to put the Illini out of field goal range.
Wisconsin’s offense took advantage of the momentum, orchestrating a clinical 16-play, 80-yard drive that ended in a 6-yard Vinny Anthony rushing touchdown, giving Wisconsin a 7-0 lead. It was Anthony’s fourth touchdown of the season, and the Badger’s longest scoring drive since the 2024 season-opener vs. Western Michigan.
The Illini responded midway through the second quarter with a touchdown drive of their own, capped by a 12-yard rushing touchdown tying the score at 7-7.
The Badgers added a 47-yard field goal from senior kicker Nathanial Vakos giving them a 10-7 lead right before the first half ended. The kick was Vakos’ longest make of the season, giving Wisconsin energy before the half.
Wisconsin kept momentum after the break. Running back Darrion Dupree took a handoff 84 yards to the house for a Badgers touchdown with 9:40 to play in the third. The home-run play gave the Badgers a 17-7 lead and was the longest rush for Wisconsin since Chez Mellusi’s 89-yard run in the 2023 season-opener versus Buffalo.
Illinois answered with a field goal making it 17-10 with 1:23 left in the third quarter. The Badgers took the 7-point lead into the final quarter.
A fumbled Illinois punt gave the Badgers the ball deep in Illinois territory, leading to Darrion Dupree’s second touchdown of the game on a 4-yard direct snap. The touchdown gave the Badgers a 24-10 advantage with just 8:16 left in the fourth quarter.
The Badgers delivered the knockout blow on the following Illinois possession, as Christian Alliegro came up with his third sack of the season on a fourth down, giving the ball back to Wisconsin in plus territory once again.
From there, Nathaniel Vakos knocked home his second field goal of the day, giving the Badgers a 3-possession lead at 27-10, marking the final score of the game.
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