MADISON — The Wisconsin Badgers handed No. 16 USC a stinging loss Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium, beating the Trojans 24-7 in a game that showcased Wisconsin’s defense and a decisive short-yardage running game.
Key plays and players
USC transfer Bryan Jackson scored his first touchdown as a Badger when he plunged in from five yards out late in the first half to put Wisconsin in front 10-7. Jackson, who spent the prior two seasons at USC, provided an emotional and practical jolt against his former team.
Freshman or emerging quarterback Colton Joseph directed a conservative but efficient offense. Joseph completed 12 of 14 passes for 58 yards and added 12 carries for 32 yards on the ground. Receiver Chris Brooks Jr. provided a critical third-quarter spark, hauling in a 16-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-two that extended the Badgers’ advantage to 17-7.
Defense sets the tone
Wisconsin’s defense limited the Trojans’ offense from the outset, holding them to just 92 yards in the first half and forcing two early turnovers. USC’s quarterback Jayden Maiava threw two first-half interceptions and finished with mixed numbers: completing 21 of 37 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown.
The Badgers’ defensive front consistently stopped USC’s running game. The Trojans finished the night with a startling rushing line: 25 carries for minus 17 yards. That failure to establish the run left USC one-dimensional and easy to pressure.
Special teams and late-game moments
Wisconsin also made a key special-teams play when junior Junior Poyser blocked a 44-yard USC field-goal attempt late in the third quarter, preserving the Badgers’ two-score margin and shifting momentum firmly in Madison’s favor.
Running back Abu Sama III paced Wisconsin on the ground with 16 carries for 71 yards, consistently churning to move chains when needed.
- Final: Wisconsin 24, USC 7
- Wisconsin record: 5-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten
- USC record: 5-2 overall, 2-2 in conference
| Quarter | Wisconsin | USC |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | 14 | 0 |
| 4 | 0 | 0 |
What this means for both teams
The Badgers improved to 5-2 and sit at 3-1 in Big Ten play after a second signature win of the season against a ranked opponent. Wisconsin previously beat then-No. 13 Penn State in late September. The victory bolsters the Badgers’ standing in the conference and gives coach Luke Fickell another important résumé win at Camp Randall.
USC, which hosts a top-ranked Ohio State team next week, will try to regroup after an outing that fell short in all three phases of the game. The Trojans’ inability to run the ball and the turnovers were the decisive factors in the loss.
Notes and context for Badger fans
The win underscores Wisconsin’s traditional identity: a strong rushing attack, physical defense and special-teams plays that swing field position. For fans planning to travel, the Badgers play at No. 15 Iowa next Saturday — a tough road test that now carries added significance given Wisconsin’s recent results.
Among items to watch moving forward:
- Whether Jackson becomes a consistent part of Wisconsin’s red-zone plans after scoring against his former team.
- Joseph’s development as a dual-threat option in short-yardage situations.
- How the Badgers’ defense handles consecutive ranked opponents and heavier rushing schemes.
Saturday’s win at Camp Randall came by way of a disciplined game plan, timely plays and a defense that dominated the line of scrimmage — a combination that gave Wisconsin a convincing victory over a nationally ranked opponent on a night when home-field advantage mattered.
Coverage continues as players and coaches prepare for next week’s matchup in Iowa.
