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Wisconsin cruised to a 31-3 homecoming win over Michigan State, improving to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten play ahead of its bye week. The victory offered clear takeaways: several Badgers stood out, while a few plays exposed lingering issues.
Winners
Jacob Harris
Harris proved a reliable target in traffic, hauling in two touchdowns and showing the kind of concentration coaches covet. One score required him to wrestle a contested catch away from a defender and secure the ball; the other demanded a clean sideline footwork to stay in bounds on a high throw. He is quickly asserting himself as a top pass-catching option for Wisconsin.
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Colton Joseph
Joseph’s passing efficiency was imperfect — he completed about 45% of his attempts — but he delivered three touchdown passes and added a new dimension with his legs. He rushed for 79 yards in the first half and finished the game with 13 carries for 141 yards and a touchdown.
That rushing threat amplifies Wisconsin’s offense, forcing defenses to account for his mobility on every snap.
Cooper Catalano and Mason Posa
The linebacker duo controlled the middle of the field. Catalano finished with 10 tackles and broke up a fourth-down pass in the first half that stopped a Michigan State drive. Posa contributed nine tackles and a key fourth-down stop early in the second half. Together, they anchored a defense that rarely yielded big plays.
Ryan Cory
When starting center Austin Kawecki left late in the first half and did not return, backup Ryan Cory stepped in. Cory avoided the snap problems that marred his lone start last season and provided solid run- and pass-blocking, even delivering a notable block on Joseph’s 47-yard touchdown run. His performance eased immediate concerns at the position.
Malachi Coleman
Coleman reappeared as a downfield threat, catching a long touchdown on a post route. After a strong opener against Notre Dame, he had been absent from the stat sheet until this game. His size and speed give Wisconsin an effective vertical option when the offense chooses to use him.
Losers
Sean West
West’s day was otherwise quiet, but a poorly executed punt inside the two-minute warning in the second quarter handed Michigan State favorable field position and helped produce the Spartans’ lone points. It stood out in an otherwise dominant team performance.
