Fans try to find hope as Wisconsin football's season of disappointment has fitting finish
The Badgers lost for the first time this season when leading after three quarters. It was a fitting end to a season of heightened expectations consistently dashed.
Air Raid unlocked or bad LSU defense?
No Braelon Allen anymore which allowed Phil Longo to use the Air Raid offense as QB Tanner Mordecai in his final college game threw for the most yardage in a Badger Bowl since Ron Vanderkelen in 1963. The future looks promising with the number of receivers used today.
— Jeff Ostach☮️ (@jeff_ostach) January 1, 2024
Freshman showed promise
Why didn’t Trech Kekahuna play this year?!?
— Kenny Van Diggelen (@kennyv19) January 1, 2024
Impressed with first season
After year 1 it's clear a lot of good things are coming to UW football, Badgers need two more recruiting cycles but the effort is there. #Forward
— Mark (@DUD6887) January 1, 2024
Winning the offseason matters, right?
What a horribly coached team 😂
— Matt Scott (@MattScott66) January 1, 2024
We’re a social media program now
Pac-12 officials, am I right?
LSU gifted two touchdowns by catches that should have been ruled out of bounds... but really had that one slip through our fingers. Had plenty of opportunities to put it out of reach in the first half and couldn't. This one stings. Still excited about what the future brings.
— Badger Steve 🧀🍺🦌 (@UW_Steve) January 1, 2024
LSU offense was pretty good, no?
Packers and Badgers both have defensive coordinator problems that should hopefully be solved in the next two weeks.
— Blake R. Weiner (@BlakeWeiner) January 1, 2024
Likes/dislikes flipped in Tampa
That was the offense I have been waiting to see all year.
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) January 1, 2024
And that was the defense that I feared we would have this year. The transfer portal better bring in some difference makers on defense.
Where the game was lost
Holding call nullifying Vinny Anthony Catch to the 2 yard line
— Jake Nelson (@Jake_Nelson10) January 1, 2024
CJ Williams
2 possessions with a 31-28 lead. 0 points added.
0 points off of Hallman INT
Offensive Line on final 3 plays
Short yardage not our friend
Longo’s struggles inside the 25 yard line are real — and totally perplexing.
— Badger Local (@BadgerLocal) January 1, 2024
Several coaching moments cost them
No moral victories in college football. Badgers let this one slip away.
— Les Heintz (@LesHeintz57) January 1, 2024
Scared money don't make money
That one is on Fickell. Some really bad situational coaching. Goaline sequence from the 1 was atrocious. Running on 3rd and 6 to just punt on 4th from midfield. Too many lost opportunities on offense when you knew your defense was in trouble.
— Troy (@troy_angus) January 1, 2024
Presented without comment
Coaching not to lose will almost always result in a loss. Embarrassing job by Fickell today
— MountainBadger (@mtnbdgr) January 1, 2024
Agreed
Fickell needs to be a better in-game coach if this program is going to take the next step.
— Ian (@accountofian) January 1, 2024
Sweater versus Vest in blackjack?
Luke Fickell makes Paul Chryst look like a gambling man. Embarrassing coaching performance from Fickell.
— Salvador Allende (@1973salvador) January 1, 2024
A big goalline stand by LSU
Great game. Bucky was the better team today. Unfortunately, 2 long out of bounds catches were incorrectly awarded to LSU. Also, the other huge moment was UW settling for 3 on 1st & Goal from the 1.
— Ryan Antony (@RyanAntony22) January 1, 2024
Heightened expectations crushed, till the end
An appropriate ending to the season. Hopes and expectations turned into disappointment. In fairness, the Badgers came into the game outmatched on paper and showed a lot of heart and effort.
— Alex Kasper (@alexmkasper) January 1, 2024
And people complain about bowl season
Honestly didn't expect to even be in the game. So at least it was entertaining to watch.
— Benedict Counsell (@MadtownMaverick) January 1, 2024
Same ole Badgers?
Fun game. Passing game looked great. Defense needs some work. Mordecai played tough and had a great overall game. Never understand running from the gun at the 1 yard line. That drive ending in 3 was a killer. Lots to be excited about, but what a totally Badgers ending.
— Damon Heim (@DamonHeim) January 1, 2024
Decision-making was less than stellar
Not being aggressive enough when we have nothing to lose and having a D that couldn't make stops when needed led to that. Epic choke job and just a brutal loss
— Dr. Horror (@popculturepsych) January 1, 2024
Season of disappointments fitting end
For most of the game they exceeded expectations but the offensive line at the end was inexplicably awful. Could have been a great way to go into the off season with a W against a good team, now just another disappointment #Badgers
— Rogue Billy Yank🇺🇦🇺🇲 (@RogueBillyYank) January 1, 2024
Summed up well
Absolutely appropriate ending to a horrific season.
— Bill Pfeiffer (@billt209) January 1, 2024
Future looks bright with some players
So many wasted opportunities. New guys (Neal, Trench, etc.) stepped up nicely. DBs a big problem. Year one done, don’t look back, better things ahead.
— Mike Heindl (@HeindlMike) January 1, 2024
Plenty of opportunities
Great game until last 3 plays - awful, no hot read? Lots of missed opportunities. Tough loss. Why not run on 2nd down, plenty of time.
— tyler (@BattleBlack2027) January 1, 2024
Skill guys seemed good
Some growth from our returning wide receivers. Hunter Wohler needs some help in the backfield and we need more game changing d-lineman.
— Brett Page (@PageRunning) January 1, 2024
Talented receiving display
pass defense failed us esp in 2nd half and some head scratching offensive strategy in 2nd half to boot . Exciting WR for next year .
— Agri-voltaic Solar Joe (@polkatornado) January 1, 2024
Bingo!
Just like the season. Great hopes followed by frustration and a bummer of an ending that left fans with as many questions as answers.
— Chris Davis (@cdavis20000) January 1, 2024
Disagree. Value is more to next year's roster, not previous season
Unless you’re top four, bowl games are irrelevant. Both LSU and UW had players starting that probably won’t even see the field next year. Most top players sat today. Bowl season has become the new pro bowl.
— jason haack (@HaackJayd) January 1, 2024
Brighter days ahead
Brutal and embarrassing. Just like the entire season.
— Brian Eich (@BrianEichMKE) January 1, 2024
Impressively competed
Strong showing against an SEC power. I feel good about the direction of the program.
— David Roelke (@droelke) January 1, 2024
Great for all but 3 minutes!
I thought the Badgers as whole played a great game. Morticai was stellar except right at the end. The D line of LSU was just too strong.
— Mary Korn Erickson (@sixtiesfan) January 1, 2024
Acker was great too. Excited for next season!!
A lot of good, a lot of bad
Thought we would pull it out. Credit LSU scoring and taking it 98 yards. Yes we missed getting TD in 1.. Yes WR out of bounds.. Yes conservative at times. Yes then old Tanner came back last three plays. Heck of a game
— Pastaboy (@Wiscwin1) January 1, 2024
A tough Monday
I was hopeful up until Wisconsin forgot how to play football.
— Sean Patrick Little (@WiscoWriterGuy) January 1, 2024
Places to build
The front 7 on defense is the weakest I've ever seen it, transfer portal and incoming class should help a lot. Hopefully one of dbs coming in can turn out decent because besides Hallman, good wrs destroy us. Fun game though
— Jake Manser (@jake_manser) January 1, 2024
Trusting in Fickell/Longo '24?
Two blown 14 point leads. The team only knows how to run the ball I thought the mantra is for UW. Yet they pass like crazy and it was fun to watch until the finish. So many unanswered questions going forward.
— mike kerry (@BadgerMike) January 1, 2024
Entertaining few hours
3 implosions on drives…and clearly UW needs help on defense. Otherwise the offense was really solid. Frustrating loss, but good game to watch
— Todd (@pilprin) January 1, 2024
Big TTP guy
Finally saw a glimpse of what the air raid is (minus last 3 plays) defense needs work... Trust the process #OnWisconsin
— Chris Erm (@Ermy8) January 1, 2024
A winning season in 2024 would be impressive with that schedule
Valiant effort with 3rd string RB and 2nd string or lower in WR corps. We’ll have a better team with a similar record against next years brutal schedule
— Fred Ehle (@FredEhle) January 1, 2024
Let the hype machine begin
Over the past 3 seasons, my excitement for next year….. pic.twitter.com/VzOSEUAwqJ
— Kelly P. Fitzgerald (@fitz19) January 1, 2024
An endless cycle
— Brian Eich (@BrianEichMKE) January 1, 2024
Hockey school
Badger Mens Hockey is really looking great. Sorry to hear about football.
— Alan Lamb (@sugafreeAL) January 1, 2024
Fitting indeed
Fitting Ending to the season the way that last series ended.. I actually had hope, but was let down once again.
— Thomas Larkin (@KandKHoney) January 1, 2024
The Badgers are looking to replace Braelon Allen next season. The ReliaQuest Bowl served as an audition for several players.
A freshman had coach Luke Fickell rethinking his usage (or lack thereof) of the receiver throughout the season.
The Badgers continued to fortify their roster through the addition of transfers on Monday, adding a cornerback who's played 38 career games.
One of the Badgers top recruiters is leaving the program. Here's what we know.
The Badgers are bringing in an Ohio native who most recently coached in the Pac-12. Here's what we know.
The Wisconsin football coaching staff made some questionable decisions that proved costly late in the loss to LSU.
The Badgers are known for great running backs and replacing Braelon Allen may come from the transfer portal or their recruits.
The Badgers jumped out to an early lead thanks to its passing attack. Columnist Jim Polzin answered questions from BadgerExtra subscribers at halftime.
A collection of photos from the Wisconsin football team's game against LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
Wisconsin football quarterback Tanner Mordecai played about as well as he did all season in the first half of the ReliaQuest Bowl. Here's what stood out in the opening half.
The Wisconsin football defense got worked over by LSU's backup quarterback, which allowed the Tigers to rally for the win.
Luke Fickell compared his first campaign with the Wisconsin football team to a roller-coaster ride. It included more downs than ups.
A long-awaited quick start by the offense, quarterback Tanner Mordecai's strong showing and defensive miscues are among this week's topics.
