Caesar Williams
FILE - Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard watches during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in Madison, Wisc., Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Wisconsin has produced defenses that have ranked among the nation’s stingiest virtually every year since Jim Leonhard took over as coordinator in 2017. Leonhard faces perhaps his biggest challenge in maintaining that standard this year. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Wisconsin defense faces major challenge in bid to stay elite

By Steve Megargee Apr. 22, 2022 11:27 AM EDT

Northwestern's Stephon Robinson Jr. catches a pass in front of Wisconsin's Caesar Williams during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Allen's big day helps No. 20 Wisconsin rip Northwestern 35-7

By Steve Megargee Nov. 13, 2021 03:20 PM EST

Wisconsin's Braelon Allen breasks into the end zone for a topuchdwon run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Northwestern at Wisconsin 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 01:17 PM EST

Rutgers wide receiver Aron Cruickshank (2) returns a kick against Wisconsin during the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin wins fifth straight, beats Rutgers, bowl eligible

By Tom Canavan Nov. 06, 2021 06:54 PM EDT

Wisconsin safety John Torchio (15) is shown warming up before NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
Wisconsin at Rutgers 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 03:23 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Chez Mellusi runs past Army's Jaylen Jacobs during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
No. 25 Purdue tries to build momentum against Wisconsin

By The Associated Press Oct. 21, 2021 05:10 PM EDT

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watchs his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against Michigan Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Michigan at Wisconsin 10/2/2021

Oct. 02, 2021 11:41 AM EDT

Wisconsin defensive end Matt Henningsen sacks Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Notre Dame at Wisconsin 9/25/2021

Sep. 25, 2021 01:23 PM EDT

FILE - Penn State football coach James Franklin, second from front right, congratulates freshman cornerback Kalen King (4) after winning a 1-on-1 against a wide receiver during an NCAA college football practice in State College, Pa., in this Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, file photo. Penn State coach James Franklin believes new play-caller Mike Yurcich will help the Nittany Lions return to their 2016-2019 form where they scored 30 or more in 35 of 53 games and never averaged less than 34 points per game. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)
No. 12 Wisconsin opens season by hosting No. 19 Penn State

By The Associated Press Sep. 02, 2021 03:38 PM EDT

Fans walk down steps in Kinnick Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Wisconsin, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Wisconsin at Iowa 12/12/2020

Dec. 12, 2020 02:17 PM EST

Cardboard cutouts are seen in the seats before an NCAA college football game between Wisconsin and Indiana Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Indiana at Wisconsin 12/5/2020

Dec. 05, 2020 03:25 PM EST

Illinois punter Blake Hayes catches a pass with Wisconsin cornerback Caesar Williams defending during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 45-7. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Badgers' Williams questions PI calls in loss to Northwestern

Nov. 24, 2020 02:27 PM EST

The seats at Camp Randall Stadium are empty as players warm up before an NCAA college football game between Wisconsin and Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Illinois at Wisconsin 10/23/2020

Oct. 23, 2020 07:33 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2017, file photo, Wisconsin's Isaiahh Loudermilk (97) and Leon Jacobs celebrate after a sack of Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson (18) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin traditionally wins games primarily because of its running game and defense. Now that Jonathan Taylor has moved on to the NFL, that would seem to put more pressure on the defense to carry the load as the Badgers’ offense adjusts to life without the two-time Doak Walker Award winner. The defense looks forward to that challenge. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
Wisconsin's veteran defense ready for bigger responsibility

By Steve Megargee Oct. 19, 2020 05:10 PM EDT

Minnesota wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) is tackled by Wisconsin cornerback Semar Melvin (20) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
Badgers take back Axe in snowy 38-17 win vs. Gophers

By Dave Campbell Nov. 30, 2019 07:18 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, file photo, Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor runs during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Madison, Wis. No. 12 Michigan is undefeated since opening with a loss at Notre Dame, building momentum and confidence while waiting for its next opportunity to earn an impressive win. They won’t have to wait much longer. No. 15 Wisconsin will come to play under the lights Saturday night at the Big House in what may prove to be a pivotal game in the conference’s championship race. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)
No. 12 Michigan, No. 15 Wisconsin meet in marquee matchup

By Larry Lage Oct. 12, 2018 02:45 AM EDT

Wisconsin's D'Cota Dixon stops Nebraska's Stanley Morgan Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Injuries will test depth of secondary at No. 15 Wisconsin

By Dennis Semrau Oct. 08, 2018 04:55 PM EDT

Wisconsin's Zack Baun, bottom, and Matt Hennigsen (92) tackle Western Kentucky running back Marquez Trigg during the first half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 4 Wisconsin's young secondary looks to keep building

By Dennis Semrau Sep. 03, 2018 03:16 PM EDT