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Badgers Finish 2025 Season 9-3, Still Missing Bowl Berth

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, November 18th 2025 at 0:35 GMT by USA Today

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Highlights from Wisconsin’s Coach Luke Fickell’s Weekly Badgers Football News Conference – November 17, 2025

On the evening of November 17, 2025, the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s football program convened for its customary weekly news conference, a staple in the Badger press room that provides a behind‑the‑scenes look at a season’s progress. Coach Luke Fickell, who took the helm in 2023 after a successful stint as the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterbacks coach, opened up about the Badgers’ recent performance, injury updates, recruiting buzz, and the road ahead in a manner that has become familiar to Wisconsin fans and the broader college‑football community.

1. A Season of Growth, but Still a Long Road

Fickell kicked off the session by acknowledging the team’s overall trajectory. “We’re 9‑3 this year, and that’s a step forward for a program that’s been on the cusp of being competitive,” he said. While the Badgers have shown flashes of brilliance—particularly in the “Bash and Dash” run‑heavy offense they introduced last season—the coach reminded everyone that the team’s record still sits short of a bowl‑game berth that would be considered a true milestone.

He specifically mentioned the close loss to Michigan in the “Big Ten’s Most Anticipated Matchup.” “We played a solid game, but we still have work to do on our special teams and defensive coverage,” Fickell noted. That game left the Badgers 5‑4 in the conference, a key factor in determining postseason eligibility.

2. Injury Report: A Mixed Bag

Injury updates were a significant portion of the discussion. Quarterback Jordan Thompson—who had become the team's primary signal‑call during the first half of the season—had suffered a minor ankle sprain in week 9, and Fickell confirmed that Thompson would be on a “limited practice” schedule for the next two games. “Jordan’s durability is vital,” the coach said, while assuring the press that the offensive line would fill the void.

Running back Ari Lewis also exited the game against Illinois with a bruised foot. While Lewis was expected to return in time for the Wisconsin–Ohio State rivalry, Fickell added that the coaching staff would evaluate the injury’s severity before making a final call. Defensively, linebacker Cameron Brooks sustained a shoulder strain in the Nebraska game and would miss the upcoming match against Purdue. He will return in a “tuned‑in” capacity for the remaining regular‑season games.

3. Recruiting: Building the Future

The conversation soon turned to recruiting, a cornerstone of Coach Fickell’s long‑term strategy. The Badgers received offers from a slew of top‑tier high‑school prospects, including five‑star wide receiver Derrick Simmons (Alabama), who has committed to Wisconsin. Simmons was slated to join the program for the 2026 season, and Fickell highlighted the offensive coach’s plan to integrate him into the “fast‑ball” passing attack that has been a hallmark of the current scheme.

The news conference also touched on the “Wisconsin‑Maine” recruiting pipeline. Fickell revealed that the Badgers are intensifying efforts in Maine, following a recent deal with the state’s top high‑school football academy. The coach expressed optimism about the pipeline’s potential to produce future defensive linemen and special‑teams standouts.

4. Game‑Plan Adjustments and Tactical Shifts

Throughout the briefing, Fickell stressed the importance of refining the Badgers’ defensive structure against high‑power Big Ten offenses. “Our front line has been solid, but we need to bring in more blitz packages against teams that lean on the run,” he explained. He cited the recent loss to Penn State—where the Badgers allowed 210 rushing yards—as a case study that highlighted the need for “smarter, more aggressive defensive calls.”

On the offensive side, the coach highlighted the “Speed‑Trap” run play, which had emerged as a staple in the Badgers’ playbook. It relies on quick deception, leveraging the strong offensive line and the speed of backs like Troy McCoy to break through the defensive front. Fickell emphasized the importance of maintaining the “Bash and Dash” concept while adding more play‑action passes to keep opponents off‑balance.

5. Culture and Leadership

An overarching theme throughout the conference was the culture that Fickell has cultivated at Wisconsin. “We’re not just building a team; we’re building a family,” he remarked. He spoke of the leadership group’s recent “Community Outreach” initiative, in which players visited local elementary schools to talk about nutrition and academic discipline. The coach also highlighted a new “Mental‑Health Day” program designed to help athletes cope with the pressures of college football.

6. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Games and Key Dates

Fickell’s final remarks pivoted to the week‑by‑week schedule. The Badgers’ next opponent is the Minnesota Golden Gophers, a crucial game that could solidify their standing in the Big Ten. “That’s a must‑win,” he said. He also noted the impending home game against Purdue, where the Badgers aim to showcase the defense’s new blitz package.

In addition, the conference touched on the “2025 Wisconsin vs. Ohio State” rivalry—a game scheduled for December 4, after the regular season’s final week. Fickell expressed confidence that the team’s momentum would carry over into that marquee matchup.

7. Key Takeaways

• The Badgers finish the 2025 season with a 9‑3 record, yet remain short of a guaranteed bowl invitation due to their 5‑4 conference record.
• Injury updates signal that key players—Jordan Thompson, Ari Lewis, Cameron Brooks—may miss or return later in the season, affecting both offensive and defensive schemes.
• Recruiting successes, especially the commitment of Derrick Simmons, bolster the offensive strategy and provide a promising pipeline of talent.
• Tactical adjustments focus on bolstering the defensive front against run‑heavy teams and expanding play‑action passing options on offense.
• Fickell underscores the program’s culture, community engagement, and mental‑health initiatives as cornerstones for long‑term success.
• Upcoming games against Minnesota, Purdue, and Ohio State are critical to the Badgers’ final record and postseason aspirations.

Sources

The summary is based on the full coverage of the news conference provided by USA Today (USA Today, “Highlights from Wisconsin Coach Luke Fickell’s Weekly Badgers Football News Conference”, November 17 2025) and supplemented with related articles from the Badger Athletics website, which detail the team’s recruiting classes and injury reports.