Ryan Hopkins shines in his first start as Wisconsin trounces Rutgers 31-10

MADISON, Wis. -- — Freshman Ryan Hopkins went 18 of 24 for 241 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start as Wisconsin bounced back from its worst loss of the season by defeating Rutgers 31-10 on Saturday.

Hopkins earned the start in place of Colton Joseph after relieving him during a 30-0 defeat at Iowa last week. Joseph had thrown for fewer than 100 yards in each of the Badgers’ last three games.

“I tried to come out with just as much poise and confidence as possible," Hopkins said.

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said the decision to start Hopkins came Monday night and noted the physical toll that the season has taken on Joseph, who has a team-high 91 carries.

“I know Colton had been beaten up and not been feeling great," Fickell said. "So we just kind of said I think this is the opportunity to see what the young kid could do. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.”

Hopkins had touchdown completions of 21 yards to Eugene Hilton Jr. on Wisconsin’s second series, 11 yards to Ryan Schwendeman late in the third quarter and 66 yards to Jacob Harris with 10:08 left in the game.

He threw one interception that was nullified by a roughing the passer penalty.

“It felt really good to be out there, just having fun playing the game – the game that I love, the game that I’ve always played,” Hopkins said.

Harris’ touchdown was the play of the day. The 6-foot-6 tight end made the catch at around Wisconsin’s 47-yard line, barely kept his right foot inbounds as he broke a tackle just beyond midfield and then motored down the right sideline to the end zone.

Gavin Lahm added field goals of 51, 26 and 22 yards for Wisconsin (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten). The Badgers sacked Rutgers quarterback AJ Surace five times.

Wisconsin's sixth victory made the Badgers eligible for their first bowl appearance since the 2023 season. Rutgers' seventh defeat assured the Scarlet Knights of a second straight losing season.

“It's very disappointing,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “In my wildest expectations, I didn't think we would find ourselves here. But maybe that wasn't realistic on my part, I don't know.”

Rutgers (2-7, 1-5) was missing star receiver KJ Duff, quarterback Dylan Lonergan and offensive linemen Tyler Needham and Kwabena Asamoah due to injuries. Lonergan was missing his second straight game after suffering a head injury in a 42-14 loss at Northwestern on Oct. 24.

Duff entered this week ranked 13th among all Bowl Subdivision players in yards receiving per game (96.8) and tied for sixth in touchdown catches (nine).

“Obviously it's tough, because he is one of the best players in the country,” Surace said. “But that's no excuse. We've got to step up. I've got to step up. Everybody else around has to step up. We didn't do enough today.”

Surace started in Lonergan's place and went 14 of 24 for 161 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown to Dyzier Carter that tied the game at 10-all late in the second quarter. Wisconsin regained the lead with 24 seconds left until halftime on Lahm's second field goal of the day.

Wisconsin then outscored Rutgers 18-0 in the second half.

“At halftime I’m looking around seeing the faces of these guys. It was a battle, and we were in for a dogfight," Fickell said. "I kind of preached that the whole week, that this thing’s going to be a dogfight. I’m really, really happy with how they responded and came out in the second half and continued to play and continued to grind and recognize who we are.”

The takeaway

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights entered Saturday with the third-fewest penalty yards per game (30.9) of any Bowl Subdivision team, but they had a few costly flags in this game.

Jesse Ofurie put his hand on Hopkins’ helmet and got called for roughing the passer, wiping out a JJ Conyers interception that would have put Rutgers at Wisconsin’s 23 early in the second quarter.

A pass interference penalty on Devonte Anderson set up Wisconsin’s go-ahead field goal near the end of the first half. Defensive back Tariq Hayer was ejected for targeting at the end of a 22-yard catch by Shamar Rigby just before Hopkins’ touchdown pass to Schwendeman.

Wisconsin: Injuries and inconsistency at the quarterback position have hindered the Badgers thoughout Luke Fickell's four-year coaching tenure. Hopkins' emergence offers hope that Wisconsin finally might have found a long-term solution. He showed promise while working behind a line missing tackle Kevin Heywood, who was out with a season-ending injury.

Up next

Rutgers: Hosts Nebraska next Saturday.

Wisconsin: Visits Maryland next Saturday.

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