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Game 4

Jamar Fletcher 1998 Wisconsin football vs. Purdue

By the time the lights were turned off in Camp Randall Stadium that night in 1998, iconic performances had been put on display, records had been shattered and a tradition had been born. Billed as a prime-time showdown between two of the best players in the game, that season's clash between Wisconsin and Purdue indeed featured the punishing production of Ron Dayne and the prolific passing of Drew Brees. But not to be forgotten was Wisconsin's defense, which proved to be the difference in a game that will always be remembered as the night the Badgers learned to Jump Around.

Dream season image Wisconsin vs. Purdue logos

Wisconsin vs. Purdue (1998)

From Oct. 10, 1998
Camp Randall Stadium

DREAM SEASON BROADCAST:
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020 • 5 p.m. CT

Jamar Fletcher 1998 Wisconsin football vs. Purdue

Dream Season: ’98 win saw Badgers jump around and shut down Brees

Home victory night of historic firsts for Wisconsin in both football and fan tradition

By Andy Baggot • Oct. 5, 2020

Two enduring legends were born that October evening in 1998.

One was powerful and immediate.

The other was literally a shot in the dark and evolved with age.

More than two decades later, Drew Brees is an NFL icon and "Jump Around" is a tradition unlike any other. Their paths crossed on a historic, exhausting, unforgettable evening for Wisconsin football at Camp Randall Stadium.

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Jamar Fletcher Wisconsin football

Dream Season ‘Where are they Now?’: Jamar (Fletcher) Israel

After NFL, former Badger transformed both his name and life beyond football

By Mike Lucas • Oct. 6, 2020

It was about seven years ago that Jamar Fletcher, the former Wisconsin All-American cornerback, decided to "pay homage to my Maker" by changing his surname to Israel; a faith-based choice that was at "the center of my thoughts and who I am."

It was a life-altering moment in the wake of an on-field legacy of game-changing ones.

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Game 3

A general view of Camp Randall Stadium during the Wisconsin Badgers NCAA Big Ten Conference college football game against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Madison, Wis. The Badgers won 35-14. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

Michigan said it was coming to Madison to make a statement. What the Wolverines were handed instead was the wrath of the nation's No. 1 defense and a taste of the Badgers' signature rushing attack. Wisconsin, despite outscoring its first two opponents 110-0, was still facing a question heading into its 2019 Big Ten opener: Are these guys for real? In a top-15 showdown with the Wolverines, in front of a national TV audience and a striped-out Camp Randall Stadium crowd, the Badgers provided an emphatic answer that served as a statement all its own. 

Dream season image Wisconsin vs. Michigan logos

Wisconsin vs. Michigan (2019)

From Sept. 21, 2019
Camp Randall Stadium

DREAM SEASON BROADCAST:
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 • 10 a.m. CT

Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor (23) carries the ball during an NCAA Big Ten Conference college football game against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Madison, Wis. The Badgers won 35-14. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

Dream Season: Victory against Michigan all the sweeter in 2019

Badgers silenced doubters with dominant win

By Andy Baggot • Sept. 28, 2020

If members of the Wisconsin football team were so inclined, the task of collecting bulletin-board material prior to the 2019 season would have required some fairly heavy lifting.

There was the USA Today power ranking that had the Badgers situated seventh in the Big Ten Conference overall and third in the West Division behind Iowa and Nebraska.

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Wisconsin Badgers' running back Jonathan Taylor (23) during an NCAA college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday, September 21, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin.Photo by Tom Lynn/Wisconsin Athletic Communications

Dream Season ‘Where are they Now?’: Jonathan Taylor

Former Badger living out dream in NFL with the Colts

By Mike Lucas • Sept. 29, 2020

Among his Wisconsin keepsakes — the three game-worn No. 23 jerseys from the Orange Bowl, the Pinstripe Bowl and the Rose Bowl — tailback Jonathan Taylor has another special memento from his illustrious college playing days. He has a football.

Not just any football, mind you, but the one that he clutched in his right arm while scoring the game-winning touchdown …

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Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Chris Orr (54) celebrates during an NCAA Big Ten Conference college football game against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Madison, Wis. The Badgers won 35-14. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)

Dream Season: Five Things to Remember vs. Michigan

Efficient passing, big-play run game and dominant defense a recipe for success

By Andy Baggot - Sept. 29, 2020

It may not be the flashiest statistic in the Wisconsin football record book, but it's still worth some scrutiny.

In 2019, the Badgers made good on 18 of 23 fourth-down attempts, which represents the most conversions since the school began keeping track of the stat in 1993. 

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What is the Dream Season?

Game 2

Wisconsin vs. Northwestern football logos 1997 Dream Season

Wisconsin vs. Northwestern (1997)

From Oct. 3, 1997
Evanston, Illinois

DREAM SEASON BROADCAST:
Saturday, Sept. 26 • 4 p.m. CT

Mike Samuel quarterback football

Dream Season: ’97 Badgers clawed way to emotional triumph over Wildcats

Wisconsin didn’t flinch in nerve-wracking Big Ten heavyweight matchup vs. Northwestern

By Andy Baggot • Sept. 21, 2020

You could argue with ease that the most painful Big Ten Conference rivalry for the Wisconsin football team over the last 30 years has been with Northwestern.

They've met 24 times since 1990 and while the Badgers have the edge, winning 13 of those games, and lined up as the higher-ranked team in 15 of those encounters, many of their losses have been unforgettably epic.

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Matt Davenport football

Dream Season ‘Where are they Now?’: Matt ‘Money’ Davenport

Catching up with the former placekicker and his memories of 1997 vs. Northwestern

By Mike Lucas • Sept. 22, 2020

It was a priceless, out of the blue inquiry spawned by the curiosity of youth.

"Dad, did you have a nickname when you were in college?"

The questioner was Matt Davenport's 12-year-old daughter.

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Ron Dayne 1997 football

Dream Season: Five Things to Remember vs. Northwestern

Can Dayne and the Badgers knock off the Wildcats?

By Andy Baggot • Sept. 25, 2020

A year removed from his sensational college debut, Wisconsin sophomore running back Ron Dayne had an uneven start to 1997.

He was limited to a career-low 46 yards on 13 carries in the 34-0 season-opening loss to Syracuse in the Kickoff Classic and missed his first game due to injury the following week when the Badgers escaped with a 28-24 victory over Boise State.

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Game 1

Wisconsin Badgers running back Corey Clement (6) scores a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against the LSU Tigers Saturday, September 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Badgers beat the Tigers 16-14. (Photo by David Stluka)

Staring down the most difficult schedule in school history, the Badgers opened the 2016 season by facing off with an LSU team that carried a No. 5 ranking in the polls and a Heisman Trophy favorite in the backfield. Led by a quarterback named for a Packers legend and a defense that would prove to be one of the nation's best, UW made sure the Lambeau Field College Classic lived up to its name in the first major college football game ever played at the hallowed venue in Green Bay. 

Wisconsin logo vs. LSU logo graphic

Wisconsin vs. #5 LSU (2016)

From Sept. 3, 2016
Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.

DREAM SEASON BROADCAST:
Saturday, Sept. 19 • 5:30 p.m. CT

Dream Season Friday Trivia presented by Hy-Vee - Friday, Sept. 18, 2020

Join us for a night filled with fun, this Friday, September 18th at 6:00 p.m. C.T as we host the first Badger Trivia!

We would love to see your Badger pride - wear your favorite Wisconsin gear, show us your fan caves or unique memorabilia for a chance to win a special prize. Winner of this week's trivia will win FREE trivia for next Friday's game.

Each Badger Trivia will feature a surprise guest, don't miss your chance to see who it is!

Round 1: Lambeau Field College Classic

Round 2: The Year 2016

Round 3: Badger - Packer Connections

Register for Trivia Night
A general view of Lambeau Field during the Wisconsin Badgers NCAA college football game against the LSU Tigers Saturday, September 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Badgers beat the Tigers 16-14. (Photo by David Stluka)

Dream Season: Many doubted 2016 Badgers, including LSU

Wisconsin’s seemingly untested roster surprised everyone but itself in season-opener at Lambeau

By Andy Baggot • Sept. 15, 2020

 In the weeks leading up to their 2016 season opener, members of the Wisconsin football team were pelted with doubtful sentiment.

They're too young. The 114-person roster included 13 seniors — the fourth fewest among Power Five schools — and only eight were in the two-deep.

They're too non-descript. The quarterback was making his first career start. The left tackle was making his Division I debut after transferring from Division III.

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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Bart Houston (13) throws the ball during an NCAA college football game against the LSU Tigers Saturday, September 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Badgers beat the Tigers 16-14. (Photo by David Stluka)

Dream Season ‘Where are they Now?’: Bart Houston

Catching up with the former QB and his memories of 2016 vs. LSU

By Mike Lucas • Sept. 14, 2020

As an understudy for all but his final collegiate season, Bart Houston grasped the usefulness in listening and learning, the tools of ambition. Especially in the quarterback room where he was constantly reminded "Be you — Be the good you."

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Wisconsin Badgers kicker Rafael Gaglianone (27) kicks the winning field goal during an NCAA college football game against the LSU Tigers Saturday, September 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Badgers beat the Tigers 16-14. (Photo by David Stluka)

Dream Season: Five Things to Remember vs. LSU

No one gave the Badgers much of a chance in the 2016 season opener

By Andy Baggot • Sept. 14, 2020

Kicker Rafael Gaglianone had a memorable debut with the Wisconsin football team in 2014, providing a glimpse of his talent and fun-loving instincts.

During a 28-24 loss to LSU at NRG Stadium in Houston, Gaglianone converted a career-best 51-yard field goal and celebrated it with a shimmy worthy of any dance floor.

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Wisconsin Badgers linebacker T.J. Watt (42) celebrates after stopping the LSU Tigers offense on 4th down during an NCAA college football game Saturday, September 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Badgers beat the Tigers 16-14. (Photo by David Stluka)

Dream Season: Rise of Badgers’ linebackers was on display at Lambeau

Seven NFL-bound ’backers helped shut down LSU and Heisman favorite Fournette

By Mike Lucas • Sept. 14, 2020

On Wisconsin's first defensive snap, inside linebacker Chris Orr moved to plug the hole on LSU's bruising tailback Leonard Fournette, the 2016 preseason Heisman Trophy frontrunner. Orr took on the iso blocker, J.D. Moore, a 6-foot-4, 241-pound fullback. The collision buckled Orr's right knee.

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Wisconsin Badgers defensive back D'Cota Dixon (14) intercepts a pass late in the game during an NCAA college football game against the LSU Tigers Saturday, September 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. The Badgers beat the Tigers 16-14. (Photo by David Stluka)

Dream Season Postscript: Wisconsin vs. LSU, 2016

Perspective on the Badgers’ win over the Tigers at Lambeau Field

By Mike Lucas • Sept. 15, 2020

 Three weeks after LSU lost to the Badgers in Lambeau Field, snapping a streak of 52 consecutive victories over non-conference opponents, the school fired head coach Les Miles following an 18-13 loss at Auburn, dropping the Tigers record to 2-2. Also fired was offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

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