The Wisconsin Badgers practiced today at the Don Hutson Center in Green Bay, WI in preparation for their season opener against LSU at Lambeau Field on September 3rd.

“I liked the way the kids came back from spring break,” head coach Paul Chryst said of the Badgers first week of practices following the school’s spring break.

The Badgers had the opportunity to practice in the same facility the Green Bay Packers practice in during the NFL regular season. Chryst thanked the Badger and Packers organizations for the great opportunity.

“Growing up in Wisconsin, you get spoiled with the Packers and Lambeau Field,” Chryst said.

“This is a historic place so I wanted our guys to see it,” Chryst went on.

For Badger fullback Alec Ingold, the trip to Lambeau Field meant a trip home. Ingold is from the Green Bay area and went to school at Bay Port High School in Suamico, WI. After being called by the media the unofficial tour guide of the trip, many teammates teased Ingold about his new role for the Badgers and if they would get to visit his house later. 

“It’s special be back home in Green Bay,” Ingold said.

Ingold also shared with the media that this September will not be the first time he has played on Lambeau Field. Ingold played with his football team in sixth grade at the halftime of a Packer game. He even scored a touchdown in that game

“I was on defense and my shoe came off on one of the plays,” Ingold reminisced. “I just threw it off to the side and went to the other side and started playing offense.”

Other Badger teammates reflected on the significance of being able to practice and play in the same facilities the Packers use. Linebacker Vince Biegel discussed representing the state of Wisconsin as a Badger football player. 

“You take that 2 hour and 45-minute ride, going through the heart of Wisconsin, and realize who you are playing for,” Biegel said. 

“To be able to go out there and practice where Clay Matthews, Rodgers, and the Green Bay Packers practice is a very surreal moment,” he continued. “And it’s something that a lot of the guys were looking forward to.”

Chryst was happy with the results of today’s practice, though he believes there is still a lot of work to be done.  

“I see a lot of things we got to clean up,” he said.

There has been no announcement of the starting quarterback for the upcoming season. On both Houston and Hornibrook, Chryst said they have a long way to go.

“You try to break it down in all the different areas,” he said in determining the starting position. “[They have to] focus on getting better reps.”

Chryst stressed the importance of spring ball especially in individual improvement.

“Spring is a good time for players we know a lot of,” he said. “The better you become, the better we are as a team.”

The Badgers are fully focused on the LSU game and starting the season with a win. Biegel addressed the team last night in their hotel. 

“To play the best you have to beat the best. We have 155 days to get ready for LSU,” Biegel told the team last night.

“Last night was a 155, and today it’s a 154. It’s those 154 days that we are going to try and get better,” he continued. “We don’t want to be complacent. To be able to go out there and say Wisconsin is a contender for the National Championship, that we are serious, that we are representing the state of Wisconsin, is big for us.” 

Badger football players, both from Wisconsin and out-of-state are excited to open their season in such a historic venue. This September 3rd game marks the first college football game at Lambeau Field in 33 years. St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, minutes away from Lambeau Field, played three games at the stadium in 1960, 1982, and 1982. Packers president Mark Murphy addressed the team before today’s practice and discussed the significance this game means to the Badgers and Packers organizations.

Playing on the Lambeau Field turf for a second time will be a special experience for Ingold.

“The community of Green Bay is just so special to me,” he said. “You grew up wanting to be a Packer and wanting to be a Badger.” 

Ingold and his teammates will get a small taste of what it’s like to be a Green Bay Packer, playing on their home turf, in the Badger colors of red and white.