Top Story Spotlight WISCONSIN FOOTBALL Polzin: Why this Wisconsin football senior can teach us all a lesson in gratitude JIM POLZIN Nov 21, 2025 Nov 21, 2025 Updated Nov 23, 2025 × Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Ben Barten is a breath of fresh air in a bad season. He’s a symbol of hope at a time when college sports seem destined to careen off a cliff.kAm%96 D:IE9\J62C D6?:@C 5676?D:G6 E24<=6 :D 7F??J 2?5 6?828:?8] w6’D 9@?6DE H9:=6 D9@H:?8 ?@ 9:?ED @7 3:EE6C?6DD 2D 96 5C2HD 4=@D6C E@ E96 7:?:D9 =:?6 @7 2 42C66C 7:==65 H:E9 492==6?86D 2?5 >@C6 =@DD6D E92? 96 H@F=5 92G6 AC676CC65]k^AmkAm(92E J@F C625 ?6IE :D q2CE6?’D C6DA@?D6 ?62C E96 6?5 @7 2? :?E6CG:6H :? 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(:EE[ 2?@E96C D:IE9\J62C D6?:@C[ “3FE 96’D DE:== 2 3:8[ 3:8 <:5]”k^AmkAm~?6 H:E9 @AE:@?D] x7 9:D 5C62> @7 A=2J:?8 :? E96 }u{ :D C62=:K65[ E96 q2CE6?D’ ?6H=J 4@?DECF4E65 9@>6 H:== D:E 6>AEJ ?6IE D62D@?] x7 E96 }u{ 5@6D?’E H@C< @FE[ 96’== >@G6 324< E@ |2C2E9@? r@F?EJ 2?5 =@@< 7@C 2 E6249:?8 ;@3] w6 2=D@ H2?ED E@ 4@249] %96 @?=J 46CE2:?EJ :D E92E y6DD[ }2=2 2?5 |23=6 H:== 36 >2<:?8 E96 ;@FC?6J H:E9 9:> H96C6G6C E96J =2?5]k^Am kAmu:4<6== >2J 8:G6 q2CE6? 2 =:EE=6 6IEC2 DBF66K6 5FC:?8 $6?:@C s2J :?EC@5F4E:@?D @? $2EFC52J 6G6?:?8] xE’== 36 H2CC2?E65 7@C 2 8FJ H9@’D 366? 2 A:4EFC6 @7 A6CD6G6C2?46 2?5 E96 A@DE6C 49:=5 7@C H92E’D C:89E H:E9 4@==686 7@@E32== 2E 2 E:>6 H96? D@ >F49 D66>D HC@?8 H:E9 :E]k^Am kAm“x 5@?’E <?@H H92E 6=D6 x 4@F=5 92G6 2D<65 @7 E9:D F?:G6CD:EJ[” q2CE6? 4@?4=F565[ 2?5 (:D4@?D:? 4@F=5 36 D2J:?8 E96 D2>6 E9:?8 23@FE 9:>] k^Am Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com. Locations Madison Wisconsin Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell shares how he wants to develop quarterbacks Wisconsin football seniors reflect on career disappointments, points of pride About half of the seniors who will be honored Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium are Badgers lifers. Some of them shared their thoughts on their… Wisconsin football loses 2nd commitment along offensive line this week Another three-star offensive lineman has backed off his pledge to the Badgers. Here's what to know. 5 keys for Wisconsin football game vs. Illinois The Badgers defense has found a recipe that works. It needs to build on that formula against the Illini. X-factor in Wisconsin football's game vs. Illinois The banged-up Badgers face an uphill battle on the offensive end against a stingy Illinois defense. Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards Jr. on his knee injury, future and notion he quit Billy Edwards Jr. set the record straight on his injury, his attempts to return the field and more in an interview Wednesday morning. Polzin: There's no easy answer to this question, but Wisconsin's Luke Fickell must get it right Carter Smith looked like the Badgers' quarterback of the future for 30 minutes. It was the next 30 that could send Luke Fickell back to the tr… Dane County Regional Airport sets record for busiest summer travel season Dane County Regional Airport saw more passengers from May through August than ever before, airport officials reported Friday. Why Wisconsin cornerback dropped eligibility lawsuit against NCAA The latest in Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean's legal fight with the NCAA to play for the Badgers this fall. Polzin: How this Wisconsin football senior's unlikely words ignited second-half surge vs. Illinois Darryl Peterson had three sacks to lead a dominant defensive performance in a win over Illinois. But it was his halftime speech that resonated…
Wisconsin football seniors reflect on career disappointments, points of pride About half of the seniors who will be honored Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium are Badgers lifers. Some of them shared their thoughts on their…
Wisconsin football loses 2nd commitment along offensive line this week Another three-star offensive lineman has backed off his pledge to the Badgers. Here's what to know.
5 keys for Wisconsin football game vs. Illinois The Badgers defense has found a recipe that works. It needs to build on that formula against the Illini.
X-factor in Wisconsin football's game vs. Illinois The banged-up Badgers face an uphill battle on the offensive end against a stingy Illinois defense.
Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards Jr. on his knee injury, future and notion he quit Billy Edwards Jr. set the record straight on his injury, his attempts to return the field and more in an interview Wednesday morning.
Polzin: There's no easy answer to this question, but Wisconsin's Luke Fickell must get it right Carter Smith looked like the Badgers' quarterback of the future for 30 minutes. It was the next 30 that could send Luke Fickell back to the tr…
Dane County Regional Airport sets record for busiest summer travel season Dane County Regional Airport saw more passengers from May through August than ever before, airport officials reported Friday.
Why Wisconsin cornerback dropped eligibility lawsuit against NCAA The latest in Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean's legal fight with the NCAA to play for the Badgers this fall.
Polzin: How this Wisconsin football senior's unlikely words ignited second-half surge vs. Illinois Darryl Peterson had three sacks to lead a dominant defensive performance in a win over Illinois. But it was his halftime speech that resonated…
