Wisconsin outplays Illinois, takes surprising win

Posted November 22, 2025 10:43 pm

By TAMIRA MADSEN

Wisconsin linebacker Darryl Peterson, right, celebrates sacking the Illinois quarterback during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

MADISON, Wis. — Darrion Dupree had 131 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 17 carries to lead Wisconsin to a 24-10 win over Illinois on Saturday night.

Dupree became Wisconsin’s first 100-yard rusher this season.

Dupree scored on an 84-yard run, the Badgers’ longest play from scrimmage this season, to push Wisconsin's lead to 17-7 in the third quarter — Dupree's first touchdown of the season and second overall.

Darryl Peterson had three of Wisconsin's five sacks of Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer. Illinois finished with 298 total yards.

Altmyer went 21 of 35 for 248 yards and added 20 yards rushing and a touchdown on 13 carries.

Charlie Jarvis tackled the Illinois punter following a bad snap, Wisconsin took over at the 14.

Four plays later, Dupree took a direct snap and ran 4 yards for a TD run that increased Wisconsin's lead to 24-10.

The Badgers (4-7, 2-6 Big Ten) got on the scoreboard first as Vinny Anthony rushed 6 yards for a TD in the first quarter.

Nathanial Vakos kicked a season-long 47-yard field goal to give Wisconsin a 10-7 lead with 14 seconds left in the first.

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Illini (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten, No. 21 College Football Playoff).

The Badgers shaved 9:30 off the clock, going 80 yards in 16 plays, on their first-quarter scoring drive. Carter Smith went 4 for 4 for 40 yards during the drive, which was the Badgers’ longest scoring drive of the season.

Wisconsin leads the series 46-39-7.

The takeaway

Illinois: Saturday's loss snapped a two-game losing streak for Illinois and Illini coach Bret Bielema, who was the Badgers’ coach from 2006-12. He led Wisconsin to three consecutive Rose Bowl appearances during those seven seasons,

Wisconsin: The 84-yard TD run for Dupree was Wisconsin’s longest since an 89-yard TD by Chez Mellusi in 2023. Dupree gave the Badgers their first 100-yard rusher since Tawee Walker’s 126-yard effort in Wisconsin’s 23-3 win against Northwestern last season.

Up next

Illinois: The Illini host Northwestern next Saturday.

Wisconsin: The Badgers play next Saturday at Minnesota.

Wisconsin running back Darrion Dupree (6) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Joe Brunner (56) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against the Illinois Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs against Wisconsin linebacker Sebastian Cheeks (15) and defensive lineman Jay'Viar Suggs (31) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, front left, walks off the field after losing to Wisconsin in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis) (AP Photo/Andy Manis)