A look back at every game played between Wisconsin and Penn State
Wisconsin and Penn State have long been Big Ten foes in a series that has gone back-and-forth between the two powerhouses. The Nittany Lions currently hold a slight edge in 19 games played, with a 10-9 series lead that the Badgers hope to tie up this Saturday.
The first meeting between the two storied programs came back in 1953, although the matchup did not become consistent until the mid-1990’s when the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten conference. It has recently been a series dominated by Penn State over the last decade.
Here is a look back at every game played between the two teams as they get ready to open the 2021 season:
1953: Wisconsin 20, Penn State 0
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Wisconsin defeated Penn State at Camp Randall in the first matchup between the two teams. Badger legend Alan Ameche led the way at RB in the win.
1970: Wisconsin 29, Penn State 16
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No. 16 Penn State defeated the Badgers in an early-season meeting to get back to even.
1995: Wisconsin 17, Penn State 9
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Wisconsin played spoiler behind QB Darrell Bevell as the Badgers upset the Joe Paterno-led Nittany Lions. This was the first meeting after Penn State had joined the Big Ten.
1996: Penn State 23, Wisconsin 20
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Penn State finally gets back to winning ways in a win that helped them to a perfect 5-0 start in 1996.
1997: Penn State 35, Wisconsin 10
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Wisconsin continues to struggle in the series as Penn State scores 35 consecutive points in the win.
1998: Wisconsin 24, Penn State 3
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Wisconsin responds early and often as they take a 17-0 lead and never look back in the win.
2001: Wisconsin 18, Penn State 6
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Brooks Bollinger led the way for Wisconsin in the win with a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown.
2002: Penn State 34, Wisconsin 31
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Penn State pulls out a close win behind Zack Mills at QB.
2003: Wisconsin 30, Penn State 23
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Wisconsin got out to an early 14-point lead and never let up in the win.
2004: Wisconsin 16, Penn State 3
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The Matt Bernstein Yom Kippur game. After fasting for 24 hours due to the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the Badger fullback Bernstein had one of the best games of his career.
2005: Penn State 35, Wisconsin 14
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Tamba Hali led the way for Penn State on defense in the Nittany Lion win.
2006: Wisconsin 13, Penn State 3
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John Stocco led the way for Wisconsin as the Badgers defeated the Nittany Lions at Camp Randall.
2007: Penn State 38, Wisconsin 7
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Wisconsin fell to Penn State in the midst of a 2007 season where the Badgers went 9-4.
2008: Penn State 48, Wisconsin 7
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Wisconsin was blown out at home in a tough loss.
2011: Wisconsin 45, Penn State 7
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The Badgers and Russell Wilson defeat Penn State to earn a spot in the Big Ten championship game.
2012: Penn State 24, Wisconsin 21 (OT)
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Penn State picks up an OT win at home after a missed Wisconsin field goal.
2013: Penn State 31, Wisconsin 24
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Penn State picks up a road win over the Badgers.
2016: Penn State 38, Wisconsin 31 (Big Ten Championship Game)
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Trace McSorley and Penn State defeat the Badgers in a Big Ten title thriller.
2018: Penn State 22, Wisconsin 10
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Led by RB Miles Sanders, Penn State wins the battle over Wisconsin.
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