Photos: Wisconsin football welcomes Western Illinois in home opener
A collection of photos from Wisconsin football's home opener against Western Illinois at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Deputy Athletic Director Marcus Sedberry walks in to Camp Randall before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell walks towards the gates of Camp Randall before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 in Madison, Wis.
Members of the Wisconsin Marching Band play during the Badger Bash Tailgate Party before the Badgers play Western Illinois on Saturday at Union South in Madison.
Fans walk towards the gates of Camp Randall before Wisconsin plays Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin players warm up before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin linebacker Tyreese Fearbry (7) walks on the sideline during warmups before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Former Wisconsin head coach Barry Alvarez walks the sideline before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin Marching Band members rest before playing another piece at the Badger Bash Tailgate Party before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Union South in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell leads the Badgers on to the field for warmups before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin running back Nate Palmer (15) is tackled by Western Illinois wide receiver Cam Edwards (11) on a kick return on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) runs down the sideline for a touchdown against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) smiles as he runs the length of the end zone after a touchdown against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin linebacker Sebastian Cheeks (15) and Wisconsin linebacker Mason Posa (8) celebrate after a stop against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Western Illinois quarterback Kennedy McGill (17) looks to throw from the pocket against Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) runs with the ball against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. (13) runs with the ball after a catch against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (1) hands the ball off to Wisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell looks up at the scoreboard from the sideline against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin linebacker Sebastian Cheeks (15) gets off the line after the snap against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin linebacker Tyreese Fearbry (7) celebrates after a penalty against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin linebacker Tyreese Fearbry (7) battles Western Illinois offensive lineman Tommy Lamberti (76) on the line against on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (1) throws a pass against Western Illinois on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin wide receiver Tyrell Henry (0) cuts up the field against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin running back Abu Sama III (3) smiles after scoring a touchdown on the opening offensive play against Western Illinois on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst waves to the crowd after being introduced during a timeout while the Badgers play Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin defensive back Carson van Dinter (11) runs in to the end zone for a touchdown after a blocked punt and return against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin plays Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin offensive lineman Stylz Blackmon (76) hoists Wisconsin running back Darrion Dupree (6) in the air after Dupree scored a touchdown against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin wide receiver Tyrell Henry (0) tips a ball that was over his head on a pass by Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (1) against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
A host of Wisconsin players tackle Western Illinois wide receiver Israel Hiraldo (3) on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (1) throws a pass on the run against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin tight end Jacob Harris (89) is spun on a tackle by a Western Illinois defender on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (1) cocks back to throw a pass against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin linebacker Thomas Heiberger (19) tackles Western Illinois tight end David Hargro (15) after Hargro juggled the pass on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin running back Darrion Dupree (6) runs in to the end zone for a touchdown against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr. (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Western Illinois on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin fans walk on Monroe St. past the Kellner Family Athletic Center before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin linebacker Mason Posa (8) watches the quarterback before the snap by Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. (13) runs with the ball through a tackle against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin wide receiver Malachi Coleman (4) flashes a thumbs-up after a hard hit against Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wis.
The Wisconsin Badgers take the field before the game against Western Illinois on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Everything you need to know to prepare yourself for the Badgers' home opener against Western Illinois.
The Badgers drew their smallest crowd at Camp Randall Stadium in nearly 34 years when they played Western Illinois on Saturday night.
The Badgers took care of Western Illinois in less than convincing fashion, but a win is a win. How would you grade Wisconsin's performance?
Here's how it looked when Badgers fans hopped to "Jump Around" after the third quarter of Saturday's game against Western Illinois.
if you were looking for dominance, the Badgers didn't provide it. But they did earn a win. Here's what stood out.
The Badgers tested fans' patience at times but came away with a 36-9 victory over the Leathernecks on Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium.
Our staff photographer Owen Ziliak captured the action, emotion and atmosphere of the Badgers' home opener. We invite readers to vote for the photo that most stood out to you.
