The Wisconsin Badgers faced a crushing defeat at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes, losing 37-0 in a game that highlighted ongoing struggles within the team. This loss marks the Badgers’ eighth consecutive defeat in the Big Ten Conference, their longest such streak since 1991. Players and coaching staff expressed a sense of frustration and confusion in the aftermath of the game, which took place at Camp Randall Stadium on October 11, 2025.
In a match that many had anticipated as a turning point, the Badgers (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) failed to match the intensity of the Hawkeyes (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten). Wisconsin’s quarterback, Hunter Simmons, struggled against Iowa’s defense, which capitalized on three turnovers in the first quarter. This early onslaught allowed the Hawkeyes to establish a commanding lead, making it nearly impossible for the Badgers to regain momentum as they trailed by more than 20 points in the first half.
The defeat was reminiscent of last year’s encounter, with linebacker Christian Alliegro noting, “It reminded me a lot of last year. I feel like they got on us really quickly, and we had no momentum to get back in the game.” The Badgers’ inability to execute their game plan and adapt to Iowa’s strategy left many in disbelief.
Coach Luke Fickell lamented the team’s lack of preparation, stating, “That’s as low as it can be. I apologize to our guys for not having them ready.” He emphasized the importance of this game, which had been a focal point for the team since January, and expressed disappointment in their execution. “We never got our head above water after that,” he added.
The emotional toll of the defeat was evident, as players reflected on their performance. Running back Dilin Jones succinctly stated, “We just went out there and got our ass whooped.” Jones managed 69 yards on 16 carries but noted that he may need to shoulder an even greater load in the upcoming games due to an injury to teammate Darrion Dupree, who left the field in the first quarter.
Wisconsin’s struggles were compounded by a lack of identity on the field. Both Alliegro and center Jake Renfro acknowledged that the team seems to be searching for its direction. “We’re at a low point. We got to continue to find who we are,” Renfro said, while Alliegro remarked, “I feel like we really don’t have an identity.”
Looking ahead, the Badgers will face significant challenges with No. 1 Ohio State visiting Madison before they travel to Oregon. The prospect of reversing their fortunes against such strong opponents appears daunting. Coach Fickell noted, “Incrementally we’ve gotten better talent… but we’re not better than most of the people, or maybe anybody right now that we’re playing.”
As the team grapples with this latest setback, players are determined to regroup. “We’re gonna stay down for a little bit, but we’re not gonna stay down for long,” Alliegro concluded, emphasizing the need for resilience as they prepare for their next match. The Badgers will need to address their shortcomings both on offense and defense to break their losing streak and regain their competitive edge in the Big Ten Conference.