Wisconsin beats Western Illinois 36-9

Team pages: Western Illinois · Wisconsin

Western Illinois1-29
Wisconsin1-136Final
Sat, Sep 12 · Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wis. · Crowd 65,274BTN

Wisconsin beat Western Illinois 36-9.

We had Wisconsin favored. It won.

Next: Western Illinois beat Morehead State 59-2, Sat Sep 19

Next: Wisconsin beat Eastern Michigan 54-10, Sat Sep 19

How it swung

Before kickoff, our ratings gave Wisconsin an 89% chance, and the closing betting line (Wisconsin was a 43.5-point favorite) put it above 99%.

Wisconsin led by 14 after the first quarter and by 17 at the half.

Q1Q2Q3Q40+27+27

Favored the whole way: Wisconsin never fell below 99%.

Western Illinois never had better than a 1% chance.

Blocked punt TDWisconsin · Q1 7:54
FinalWisconsin 36-9 Western IllinoisWisconsin wonMove across the chart, or tap a numbered swing, to see any play.
50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4WisconsinWon36-9ScoresBlocked punt TD
50%75%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4WisconsinWon36-9ScoresBlocked punt TD
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q4WisconsinLowest 0%Lost9-36ScoresBlocked punt TD
50%10%25%Q1Q2Q3Q4WisconsinLowest 0%Lost9-36ScoresBlocked punt TD

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

No single play moved the chance by 20 points.

Wisconsin’s chance to win after every play.
How to read this chartStarts from the pregame line (Wisconsin -43.5), at 100% for Wisconsin (the play-by-play feed's kickoff number, moved to match the line; our model's and the betting line's own numbers are in “The betting line, and the fans”). Dots are the biggest swings; ticks under the chart are scores. Outlined diamonds mark rare plays.

Watch the plays

The bar and the arrow show Wisconsin’s chance to win after each play; the logo is the team the play helped.

  1. Q1, 14:47Sama 72-yd TD runQ1, 14:47 · Wisconsin 7, Western Illinois 07-0score after the play7-0score after the playWatch from this playCFB ON FOX
  2. Q1, 7:54Van Dinter 3-yd TD return of a blocked puntWisconsin leads 17-0Q1, 7:54 · Wisconsin 17, Western Illinois 017-0score after the play17-0score after the playWatch from this playCFB ON FOX
  3. Q4, 5:14Joseph 33-yd TD pass to BrooksWisconsin leads 36-9Q4, 5:14 · Wisconsin 36, Western Illinois 936-9score after the play36-9score after the playWatch from this playCFB ON FOX

Every drive

Wisconsin scored on 6 of its 10 drives; Western Illinois on 3 of its 10.

Wisconsin’s drives are teal, Western Illinois’s amber. A line runs from where a drive started to where it ended; a filled dot means it scored.

own goalgoal lineQ1Wisconsin: Touchdown, from 72 yards out to 0TouchdownWestern Illinois: Punt, from 73 yards out to 69PuntWisconsin: Field goal, from 54 yards out to 12Field goalWestern Illinois: Punt returned for a touchdown, from 75 yards out to 70Punt TDWestern Illinois: Field goal, from 75 yards out to 10Field goalWisconsin: Field goal, from 68 yards out to 31Field goalQ2Western Illinois: Field goal, from 75 yards out to 10Field goalWisconsin: Field goal, from 58 yards out to 33Field goalWestern Illinois: Punt, from 75 yards out to 48PuntWisconsin: Turned over on downs, from 80 yards out to 56DownsQ3Western Illinois: Field goal, from 75 yards out to 16Field goalWisconsin: Touchdown, from 68 yards out to 0TouchdownWestern Illinois: Turned over on downs, from 76 yards out to 51DownsWisconsin: Punt, from 48 yards out to 50PuntQ4Western Illinois: Punt, from 89 yards out to 73PuntWisconsin: Punt, from 70 yards out to 54PuntWestern Illinois: Punt, from 80 yards out to 74PuntWisconsin: Touchdown, from 84 yards out to 0TouchdownWestern Illinois: Punt, from 82 yards out to 67PuntWisconsin: End of game, from 70 yards out to 40End of game

Never in doubt.

Box score

Wisconsin 36, Western Illinois 9

Western Illinois covered +43.5 by 16.5. The total, 45, stayed under 53.5.

Western IllinoisWisconsinTotal yardsWestern Illinois 302Wisconsin 406302406Passing yardsWestern Illinois 148Wisconsin 173148173Rushing yardsWestern Illinois 154Wisconsin 233154233First downsWestern Illinois 15Wisconsin 161516TurnoversWestern Illinois 0Wisconsin 000Time of possessionWestern Illinois 34:57Wisconsin 25:0334:5725:03
Team totalsWestern IllinoisWisconsin
Total yards302406
Passing15 of 24, 148 yds12 of 22, 173 yds
Rushing38 for 154 yds31 for 233 yds
First downs1516
Third down4 of 155 of 12
Fourth down1 of 20 of 1
Turnovers00
Penalties6 for 50 yds4 for 40 yds
Time of possession34:5725:03

Western Illinois leaders

  • Passing Kennedy McGill 13 of 22, 139 yds
  • Rushing Kennedy McGill 18 for 88 yds; Elijah Jackson-Anderson 8 for 19 yds
  • Receiving Jacob Kania 2 for 58 yds; Josh Robinson 3 for 26 yds

Wisconsin leaders

  • Passing Colton Joseph 12 of 22, 173 yds, 1 TD
  • Rushing Abu Sama III 8 for 107 yds, 1 TD; Bryan Jackson 10 for 40 yds
  • Receiving Tyrell Henry 4 for 91 yds; Chris Brooks Jr. 2 for 39 yds, 1 TD

No rain and calm

76° at kickoff · no rain recorded · wind 4 mph from the northwest, gusts to 14

September game-day temperatures at Camp Randall Stadium

Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Wisconsin favoredWestern Illinois favored100%Win chanceWisconsinRaininches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWindmph, average and gusts20 mph40 mph
Win chance with rain, wind and thunder from the nearest airport, by game timeQ1Q2Q3Q4Wisconsin favoredWestern Illinois favoredRain · inches per 10 min0.1 inNo rain recordedWind · miles per hour2040

Drag along the chart, or step through the game.

First quarter, 14:47 left6:17 p.m.
Western Illinois 0, Wisconsin 7 · Wisconsin 100% to win
no rain · wind 5 mph from the northwest, gusts to 14 · 74°
Sama 72-yd TD run
Where this weather comes fromMeasured at Madison airport, 5.9 miles away. Rain is NOAA's radar-and-gauge estimate at the stadium and wind is an airport reading; neither is measured on the field. Game times come from the play-by-play, good to a minute or two. Source: National Weather Service, through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet; rain radar from NOAA MRMS, through Iowa State University. Field direction from OpenStreetMap contributors.

Before kickoff

Recent games, the series and the betting line below are as they stood going in; the season profile is the season so far.

Recent games

Last two games

Western Illinois · 1-1

Rated 228th in our preseason ratings, 201st now, up 27 spots.

1-1 in its last two — but nothing on this résumé beats a top-40 team yet.

L 10-41 vs Illinois State #135 of 668

lost by 31 as a 20.5-point underdog

Western Illinois lost 10-41 vs Illinois State. Chance to win started at 12%, low under 1%, high 13%.

W 65-14 vs Northwestern (IA)

Western Illinois won 65-14 vs Northwestern (IA). Chance to win started at 48%, low 31%, high better than 99%.

Last three games · 2025 season

Wisconsin · 4-8

Rated 86th in our preseason ratings, 77th now.

1-2 in its last three, including a 17-point win over Illinois as an 8.5-point underdog.

L 7-17 @ Minnesota #81 of 667

lost by 10 as a 2.5-point favorite

Wisconsin lost 7-17 at Minnesota. Chance to win started at 49%, low under 1%, high 55%.

W 27-10 vs IllinoisTop 25 #50 of 667

won by 17 as an 8.5-point underdog

Wisconsin won 27-10 vs Illinois. Chance to win started at 35%, low 26%, high better than 99%.

L 7-31 @ IndianaTop 25 #6 of 667

lost by 24 as a 27.5-point underdog

Wisconsin lost 7-31 at Indiana. Chance to win started at 3%, low under 1%, high 6%.

W 13-10 vs WashingtonTop 25 #25 of 667

won by 3 as a 10.5-point underdog

Wisconsin won 13-10 vs Washington. Chance to win started at 28%, low 10%, high 91%.

L 7-21 @ OregonTop 25 #2 of 667

lost by 14 as a 31.5-point underdog

Wisconsin lost 7-21 at Oregon. Chance to win started at 1%, low under 1%, high 6%.

L 0-34 vs Ohio StateTop 25 #1 of 667

lost by 34 as a 24.5-point underdog

Wisconsin lost 0-34 vs Ohio State. Chance to win started at 8%, low under 1%, high 8%.

L 0-37 vs IowaTop 25 #34 of 667

lost by 37 as a 4.5-point underdog

Wisconsin lost 0-37 vs Iowa. Chance to win started at 45%, low under 1%, high 49%.

L 10-24 @ MichiganTop 25 #17 of 667

lost by 14 as a 17.5-point underdog

Wisconsin lost 10-24 at Michigan. Chance to win started at 9%, low under 1%, high 23%.

L 10-27 vs Maryland #51 of 667

lost by 17 as a 10.5-point favorite

Wisconsin lost 10-27 vs Maryland. Chance to win started at 83%, low under 1%, high 88%.

L 14-38 @ AlabamaTop 25 #7 of 667

lost by 24 as an 18.5-point underdog

Wisconsin lost 14-38 at Alabama. Chance to win started at 9%, low under 1%, high 12%.

W 42-10 vs Middle Tennessee #190 of 667

won by 32 as a 28.5-point favorite

Wisconsin won 42-10 vs Middle Tennessee. Chance to win started at 97%, low 91%, high better than 99%.

W 17-0 vs Miami (OH) #74 of 667

won by 17 as an 18.5-point favorite

Wisconsin won 17-0 vs Miami (OH). Chance to win started at 92%, low 86%, high better than 99%.

Week by week

Wisconsin

  • Wk 1Lat Notre Dame13-41

Western Illinois

Wk 1: W 65-14 vs Northwestern (IA)▲51Northwestern (IA)Wk 1: L 10-41 vs Illinois State▼31Illinois State
  • Wk 1Wvs Northwestern (IA)65-14
  • Wk 1Lvs Illinois State10-41

The series

Wisconsin leads the series 3-0

3 meetings since 1991 · Wisconsin has won the last 3

  • 2014Wisconsin 37-3
  • 2006Wisconsin 34-10
  • 1991Wisconsin 31-13

Line, fans and home field

The betting line, and the fans

Our model and the betting line don’t fully agree on Wisconsin’s chances here.

50-50Model · 89%Line · 100%Western IllinoisWisconsin

Wisconsin favored by 43.5 · Total 53.5

How games like this usually go

Wisconsin by 43.5, and it went to form

50%90%Q1Q2Q3Q450%90%Q1Q2Q3Q4

Half of games8 in 10 gamesThis game

The band is where a favorite’s chance ran in the 411 games since 2025 with a favorite of 21.5 points or more.

The market

The spread moved 5 points toward Wisconsin.

opened −38.5now −43.5

The total rose 5 points.

opened 48.5now 53.5

Spread: −38.5 → −43.5 · Total: 48.5 → 53.5

Weather at kickoff

Mild and dry. Feels like 69° at kickoff.

Western Illinois at Wisconsin · Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 · Camp Randall Stadium, Madison

  • 69°feels like at kickoff
  • Dryno rain at kickoff
  • 100weather score, Ideal
  • Tiedfor the best of the day's 5 kickoff times

At kickoff, Sept. 12, 2026.

Weather score: 0 to 100, higher is better, for the first 3 hours and 20 minutes of the game. Ideal is 100, Comfortable 90 to 99, Mixed 75 to 89, Rough 50 to 74, Harsh under 50.

Kickoff times that Saturday

Games in this time zone used 5 kickoff times that day, local time (kickoffs within 30 minutes of each other count as one). This game, ringed, was tied for the best of the day's five kickoff times. At Camp Randall Stadium that day, a 2:30 pm kickoff would have scored 92, against 100 at 6 pm.

  • 11 am: 96, Comfortable
  • 2:30 pm: 92, Comfortable
  • 3:15 pm: 94, Comfortable
  • 6 pm: 100, Ideal (this game)
  • 6:45 pm: 100, Ideal

Weather score at each kickoff time.

Tap a dot to read that kickoff time.

At kickoff, Sept. 12, 2026. Wind is not drawn here; gusts are in each score.

Home field

Wisconsin is worth +5.1 points (±4.7) more at home than on the road since 2018 — middle of FBS, 66th percentile.

65% at home, 42% on the road against FBS opponents (34-18 home, 16-22 away).

Our model gives every stadium the same flat 2.3-point home edge (why); the books use about 3. Against the closing line this stadium reads -2.5 at home vs. away over 93 games — inside the ±7.3 noise, so the flat number is the honest one here.

Night kickoff — historically worth about half a point more to the home side against the number, and not much more than that. The visitors travel about 191 miles to get here.

Where next