WISCONSIN BADGERS NOTES:
WISCONSIN MEETS NO. 13 LSU IN TAMPA BAY
• The Wisconsin Badgers will ring in the new year in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, meeting No. 13 LSU for the first time since 2016. • With the trip to the ReliaQuest Bowl, Wisconsin will compete in Tampa’s bowl game for the first time since a thrilling 34-31 overtime win over Auburn in the 2015 Outback Bowl. • The Badgers have secured their 22nd-straight trip to a bowl game, the third-longest active streak in the nation. Wisconsin has won 8 of its last 9 bowl games, dating to 2014. No FBS program has more bowl victories over that span (excluding the CFP National Championship). • The Badgers square off with a Top-25 team in a bowl game for the first time since the 2020 Rose Bowl (No. 7 Oregon). The Badgers could win their first postseason game over a ranked team since the 2017 Orange Bowl (No. 11 Miami)
KEY NOTES TO CONSIDER
• After two key rivalry wins to close the season, Wisconsin has secured it’s 22nd consecutive winning season. That’s the longest active streak in all of Power 5 football. • The Badgers finished the season with an overtime victory over Nebraska at Camp Randall and a victory to claim Paul Bunyan’s Axe from Minnesota on the road in the finale. • Defensively, S Hunter Wohler, who earned AP 1st team All-Big Ten honors, has been the game-changer for the UW unit. A Muskego, Wis., native, Wohler has been a playmaker all over the field in DC Mike Tressel’s system. Wohler leads the Badgers and all Big Ten DBs with 113 tackles this season, the most for a Badger DB since 1991 (Reggie Holt). • Wohler is the only defensive back in the country to have 100+ tackles and multiple interceptions this season. (More on page 5) • In the secondary, CB Ricardo Hallman earned third-team All-America honors (AP) and has more INTs than any CB in the nation (6). He’s one of 4 players nationally to grab 6+ picks. • Hallman’s 6 INTs are the most for a Badger CB since Jamar Fletcher picked off 6 passes in 2000. • OLB C.J. Goetz has dominated the edge as an every-down OLB. He has tallied multiple TFLs in 3 of the last 5 games and ranks 5th in the Big Ten with 11.0 this season. • QB Tanner Mordecai has showcased a dual threat ability as the Badgers’ signal caller. After returning from a broken hand to start the final 3 games, Mordecai has shown a dynamic ability to make plays when things break down. • Mordecai directed the Badger offense in the 14-point comeback win over Nebraska and posted season highs in UW’s victory at Minnesota (2 passing TDs, 69 rushing yards). • WR Will Pauling has been the lead target in Wisconsin’s offense this season. His 66 catches rank 3rd in the Big Ten and are the 5th-most for a Badger in a single season ever. • HC Luke Fickell will coach his 6th bowl game. After being hired on Nov. 27, 2022, he coached the Badgers to a win in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl over Oklahoma State last season.
BACK TO A BOWL
• Wisconsin has played in a bowl game in each of the last 21 seasons, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and the third-longest in FBS football. UW extended the streak with the OT win over Nebraska.
• Wisconsin’s run of 22 consecutive bowl games is the 2nd-longest streak in Big Ten history. Michigan played in 33 straight bowl games from 1975 to 2007. • Among Big Ten teams, only Wisconsin (22), Ohio State (12) and Iowa (11) have active bowl streaks of 10 or more seasons. • UW has won 8 of its last 9 bowl games, dating to 2014. No FBS team has more bowl wins since (excluding the CFP National Championship). • Since 2010 overall, only Alabama, Boise State, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and Wisconsin have posted winning records in every season. • Wisconsin is one of 9 programs in the nation to play in 9+ New Year’s bowl games (or NY6) over the last 14 seasons (since 2010). • Over the last 32 years, Wisconsin has combined for more NCAA tournament (MBB) and bowl game appearances than any school in the country. • Since the start of the 2013-14 season, UW has combined to win 23 NCAA tournament (MBB) and bowl games, tied for the most in the country.
HEADED SOUTHEAST
• The Badgers will square off with an SEC opponent for the first time since defeating No. 5 LSU to begin the 2016 season at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. • Wisconsin holds a 10-10-1 record all-time against the current members of the Southeastern Conference. • The Badgers will meet an SEC team in a bowl game for the first time since topping Auburn in overtime in the 2015 Outback Bowl. Wisconsin is 3-4 in bowl games against SEC schools since 2003 • The last time Wisconsin played in Raymond James Stadium was a 49-0 win over USF to open the 2019 season.
TAMING THE TIGERS
• LSU has tallied 9 games this season with 500+ offensive yards. Wisconsin has not allowed 500 yards of offense in a single game this season. • LSU leads the nation in total offense (547.8 ypg). The next highest offense the Badgers have faced this year: Ohio State – 425.0, 37th. • If Heisman-winner Jayden Daniels plays, the Badgers will face a Heisman-winner in the season they earned the award for the first time since 1997 (Charles Woodson).
SECOND HALF SUCCESS
• The Badgers have dug in defensively in second halves recently. Wisconsin has not allowed a second half TD since Oct. 28 vs. Ohio State. Wisconsin has allowed only 6 total points in the 4 games since the matchup with OSU. • Wisconsin has allowed only 793 passing yards (66.0/game) in the second half of contests this season. That’s the 3rd-fewest in the country. • Wisconsin has outscored opponents 162-83 in the second half and overtime this season and has been outscored 144-111 in the first half. • The Badgers rank 18th in the country with a 5.10 yards per carry clip in the second half of games this season. UW has posted a 4.10 ypc mark in first halves.
A RANKED OPPONENT
• With Wisconsin taking on No. 13 LSU, the Badgers will be playing a ranked team in a bowl game for the 23rd time in their 35th bowl game, all-time. • The Badgers currently hold an 11-11 record against ranked teams in bowl games. The Badgers have won 3 of their last 4 bowl games against ranked opponents.
• As an unranked team, the Badgers could notch their first win over a Top-25 program since a 27-7 win over No. 9 Iowa on Oct. 30, 2021. • Wisconsin could record its first win over a ranked team in a bowl game when unranked since the Badgers edged No. 14 Colorado in the 2002 Alamo Bowl, 31-28 in overtime. The 2002 Alamo Bowl was the Badgers’ first in its current stretch of 22-consecutive bowl games.
LSU TIGERS NOTES:
LSU Looks For 10th Win Against Wisconsin in ReliaQuest Bowl
LSU (9-3, 6-2 SEC) will be after its second straight 10-win season on Jan. 1 when the No. 13 Tigers face Wisconsin (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten) in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Fla. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2 with Brian Custer (pxp), Rod Gilmore (analyst) and Lauren Sisler (sideline) on the call. LSU is 3-1 all-time against Wisconsin and this game will serve as the first contest between the teams since the Badgers posted a 16-14 season-opening victory over the Tigers in 2016 in a game played at Lambeau Field. LSU is making its 55th appearance in a post-season game (bowl or CFP). The Tigers ran their post-season record to 29-24-1 with a 63-7 win over Purdue in the Citrus Bowl last year. The Tigers have won three straight and six of their last seven games and bring the nation’s top-rated offense into the ReliaQuest Bowl. LSU has topped 40-point and 500-yard mark nine times this year. The Tigers lead the FBS in scoring (46.4), total offense (547.8), third-down conversions (68-of-120, 56.7 pct.) and plays of 20+ yards (102), 30+ yards (51), and 40+ yards (29). LSU is also the only FBS team to average 200 rushing yards (No. 8 at 213.5) and 300 passing yards (No. 4 at 334.3) per game and the Tigers are the only team to rank in the Top 10 nationally in both categories. QB Garrett Nussmeier will make his first career start, taking the place of Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. Nussmeier has played in 6 games this year and completed 17-of-33 passes for 196 yards and 1 TD. In Daniels, the Tigers will be without the most dynamic player in college football in 2023 as he led the nation in total offense (412.2), passing TDs (40), total TDs (50) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134). LSU’s offense features the nation’s leader in receiving yards (Malik Nabers with 1,546) and receiving TDs (Brian Thomas with 15). Nabers has 86 receptions for 1,546 yards and 14 TDs, while Thomas has 60 catches for 1,079 yards and 15 scores. They form the nation’s top wide receiving tandem, combining for 146 receptions, for 2,625 yards and 29 touchdowns.
QUICK NOTES
• LSU wears a No. 3 decal on its helmet to honor senior captain Greg Brooks, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor the week of the Mississippi State game. Brooks is in Memphis at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital receiving treatment. • LSU is 1-1 all-time in the ReliaQuest Bowl. In 1989, LSU dropped a 23-10 decision to Syracuse and then beat Iowa, 21-14, in 2014. • LSU coach Brian Kelly is 1-0 vs. Wisconsin, beating the Badgers, 41-13, at Soldier Field in 2021 – a victory that made him the winningest coach in Notre Dame history, passing Knute Rockne. • QB Garrett Nussmeier will make his first career start against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl. In 6 games this year, Nussmeier has completed 17-of-33 passes for 196 yards and 1 TD. He’s thrown for 1,325 yards and 8 TDs in 17 career games. • QB Jayden Daniels – the winner of the 2023 Heisman Trophy – will not play in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Daniels is the only player in FBS history to throw for 12,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards. In his 55-game career, Daniels accumulated 12,749 passing yards and 3,306 rushing yards. • Daniels led the nation in total offense (412.4), passing TDs (40), TDs responsible for (50), passer rating (208.01), and rushing yards by a QB (1,134). • LSU’s offensive line was 1 of 3 finalists for the Joe Moore Award, which is presented to the top offensive line in college football. • All 5 starters on LSU’s offensive line have at least 22 career starts to their credit with C Charles Turner leading the way with 26. He’s followed by LT Will Campbell (25), RG Miles Frazier (25), RT Emery Jones Jr. (23) and LG Garrett Dellinger (22). The group has combined for 121 career starts. • WR Malik Nabers earned unanimous consensus AllAmerica honors, earning First-Team recognition from AP, FWAA, AFCA, Walter Camp and Sporting News. • Nabers became LSU’s all-time receptions leader against Texas A&M when he moved past Wendell Davis (183) on the list. In 3 years with the Tigers, Nabers has 186 receptions for 2,980 yards and 21 TDs. He enters the Wisconsin game needing only 22 yards to set the LSU all-time mark for receiving yards which is currently held by Josh Reed (3,001 yards). • WR Brian Thomas leads the nation in receiving TDs with 15. Thomas has 60 receptions for 1,079 yards and 15 scores. Thomas earned Third-Team All-America honors from the AP. • Nabers and Thomas form the nation’s top wide receiver duo as they have combined for 146 receptions for 2,625 yards and 29 TDs. • LSU’s offense leads the nation in big plays as the Tigers are No. 1 nationally in plays of 20+ yards (102), 30+yards (51) and 40+ yards (29). • LSU has featured a 100-yard receiver in 10 straight games and the Tigers have had 2 100-yard receivers in the same game 5 times this year. Nabers leads the team with 9 100- yard games, followed by Brian Thomas (6) and Kyren Lacy (2). • Nabers, who has caught a pass in 30 straight games, is only the second player in LSU history with two 1,000- yard seasons, joining Josh Reed who did it in 2000 and 2001. Nabers had 1,017 yards on 72 receptions in 2022 and followed that with 1,546 yards on 86 receptions in 2023.
NOTEBOOK
LSU to Face Wisconsin in ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa – Fifth Meeting All-Time
LSU will face Wisconsin for the 5th time when the teams meet on Jan. 1 in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa Bay at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2 inside Raymond James Stadium. The last two meetings between the Tigers and Badgers came in season-openers played at neutral sites, the first of which LSU won. LSU overcame a 17-point deficit with 21 unanswered points in the second half to defeat Wisconsin, 28-24, in front of a record crowd at NRG Stadium in 2014. The second meeting between the two teams was held at the iconic Lambeau Field in 2016 where Wisconsin came away with a 16-14 victory. The Tigers also had a pair of games against the Badgers in the 1907 with LSU winning both games – 38-28 in Madison in 1971; 27-7 in Tiger Stadium in 1972. LSU head coach Brian Kelly led Notre Dame to a 41-13 victory in his only meeting against the Badgers in 2021 at Soldier Field in Chicago.
LSU vs. Wisconsin Series (LSU leads 3-1)
Year Site Results
1971 Madison, Wisc. LSU won 38-28
• LSU outscored Wisconsin, 28-14, in second half, erasing a 14-10 halftime deficit. Game was played before a record crowd of 78,535 at Camp Randall Stadium. LSU rushed for 376 yards with Paul Lyons (144 yards) and Art Cantrelle (101 yards) leading the way.
1972 Baton Rouge – Tiger Stadium LSU won 27-7
• LSU held Wisconsin to 196 yards (86 rushing, 110 passing) and to 7 first downs.
2014 Houston – NRG Stadium LSU won 28-24
• Down 24-7 in 3Q, LSU scored the final 21 points of the game to win, 28-24. A fake punt on LSU’s first possession of second half led to a field goal and ignited the Tiger rally.
2016 Green Bay – Lambeau Field Wisconsin won 16-14
• Leonard Fournette rushed for 138 yards and Tre’Davious White returned an interception 21 yards but Wisconsin kicked a 47-yard FG with 3:47 left and held on for a 16-14 win.
LSU Makes Its Third Appearance in ReliaQuest Bowl
LSU will make its third appearance in the ReliaQuest Bowl when the Tigers face Wisconsin on Jan. 1. LSU is 1-1 in ReliaQuest Bowl games. The Tigers dropped a 23-10 decision to Syracuse in the 1989 bowl and then beat Iowa, 21-14, in 2014. LSU will have a quarterback making his first career start for the second time in the ReliaQuest Bowl as Garrett Nussmeier will start for the Tigers, taking the place of Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who will not play in the game. In 2014, Anthony Jennings – then a true freshman – made his first career start in the win over Iowa. Jennings started in place of Zach Mettenberger, who was injured in the season-finale against Arkansas.
LSU’s ReliaQuest Bowl History
Date Results
Jan. 1, 1989 lost to Syracuse, 23-10
• Syracuse scored on its opening possession and never trailed as the Tigers turned the ball over 3 times in the 23-10 defeat.
Jan. 1, 2014 def. Iowa, 21-14
• Jeremy Hill rushed for 216 yards and 2 TDs. Anthony Jennings made his first career start at QB.
LSU vs. the Big Ten
LSU is 10-15-2 all-time against current members of the Big Ten with its most recent contest against the league coming in the 2023 Citrus Bowl when the Tigers beat Purdue, 63-7. LSU has faced Nebraska more than any other Big Ten team with six games against the Cornhuskers (0-5-1). LSU’s 3 wins against Wisconsin stand as the most for the Tigers against any Big Ten opponent. LSU opens the 2024 season against future Big Ten member Southern Cal in Las Vegas on Sunday, Sept. 1. The Tigers also host future Big Ten member UCLA on Sept. 21 in Tiger Stadium.
LSU To Appear In A Bowl Game For 55th Time
LSU will make its 55th bowl appearance when the Tigers meet Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Jan. 1 in Tampa. LSU is 29-24-1 all-time in bowl games, which includes a 2-0 mark in the College Football Playoffs. Dating back to the 2000 season, LSU has appeared in a bowl game every year with the exception of 2020. Last year, LSU’s QB Jayden Daniels led the Tigers to a 63-7 win over Purdue in the Citrus Bowl.
LSU After Second-Straight 10-Win Season Under Brian Kelly
LSU enters the Wisconsin game with a 9-3 mark and in search of its 10th win of the season. LSU has won at least 10 games 18 times in its history, most recently in 2022 when the Tigers went 10-4 in head coach Brian Kelly’s first season in Baton Rouge. Twelve of LSU’s 17 10-wins seasons have come since the Tigers went 10-3 in 2001. Kelly joined Mike Archer (10 wins in 1987) and Les Miles (11 wins in 2005) as the only first-year coaches in school history to win 10 games in their initial season with the Tigers. The one difference between the three, is Kelly took over a team coming off a losing season (6-7 in 2021), while Archer took over a 9-3 squad that won the SEC title in 1986 and Miles took over a 9-3 team from Nick Saban. Kelly is also looking to become only the second LSU head coach to win 10 games in his first two seasons joining Miles, who went 11-2 in 2005 and 2006.
