Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin Football: Bowling in Phoenix

Wisconsin Football heads to Phoenix to take on Oklahoma State in the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl

For the 21st consecutive season, the Wisconsin football team is headed to a bowl game. For the first time in school history, that bowl appearance will come in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. The Badgers (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) will face Oklahoma State (7-5, 4-5 Big 12) on Dec. 27 at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix. The game will kick off at 9:15 p.m. CT and be televised by ESPN.
 
"I'm really excited for this opportunity for our players," head coach Luke Fickell said. "Oklahoma State is a great program and I have tremendous respect for Coach Gundy and his staff. Bowl games are great rewards for players and staff and I can't wait to start our preparation."
 
"I'm very proud of our team for earning the chance to play another game," Director of Athletics Chris McIntosh said. "I'd like to thank everyone at the Guaranteed Rate Bowl for selecting us. Bowl games are always special events for our fans. We have a tremendous following of Badgers in the Phoenix area and I'm sure they will carry on the tradition of incredible support we've enjoyed for many years at bowl games."
 
Wisconsin owns the third-longest active bowl streak in the country, trailing only Georgia (26) and Oklahoma (24). The Badgers have won seven of their last eight bowl games, equaling the most wins of any FBS teams during that span.

Follow along here as the Badgers travel to Phoenix on Dec. 24 and prepare for kickoff at Chase Field on Dec. 27.

Badgers hold off Cowboys in Phoenix (RECAP)
PHOENIX — Wisconsin held off a late rally by Oklahoma State in the closing minutes to win the 2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, 24-17, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday evening. The Badgers had several new players in key positions, including quarterback.

A long, sometimes-difficult season came to a conclusion with more adversity - and, eventually, a win.

''It ended exactly the way we wanted it to - we got the win,'' said Braelon Allen, who ran for 116 yards and scored on a 20-yard touchdown.

Luke Fickell, hired away from Cincinnati after a trip to the College Football Playoff last season, joined the team on the sideline for the bowl game. He wasn't there to run the show, though; all the decisions were left to interim coach Jim Leonhard.

The Badgers had everything working in the first half. The offense had balance, the defense stifling while they built a 17-point lead.

In the second half, Wisconsin (7-6) bogged down on the slippery Chase Field turf and the defense started giving up chunk plays as the Cowboys rode their way back.

Cedrick Dort finally ended Oklahoma State's momentum, intercepting Garret Rangel's pass with three minutes left, preserving the Badgers' eighth win in their past nine bowl games.

GAMEDAY

Wisconsin and Oklahoma State square off in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl at 9:15 p.m. CT at Chase Field in Phoenix, live on ESPN

With Bucky Badger, the Wisconsin Spirit Squad and members of the UW Band, Wisconsin fans gathered across Scottsdale and Phoenix on gameday. Closer to kickoff, Badger fans are set to gather at the Badger Huddle Tailgate just blocks from Chase Field.

The Badgers arrive

Wisconsin arrived on the afternoon of Dec. 24, touching down in Phoenix to temperatures in the high 60's after battling winter weather over the last week in Madison. The Badgers will settle into their Scottsdale digs, celebrating the holidays with staff and the rest of the travel party while preparing for Tuesday night's matchup with Oklahoma State. 

Christmas Day with the Salvation Army

The Badgers joined in on the holiday spirit, visiting a Salvation Army event in downtown Phoenix on Chirstmas morning. Wisconsin student-athletes interacted with children, families and community members and helped set up for holiday meals at the Phoenix Convention Center. 

A Christmas tune-up

The Badgers hit the practice field on Christmas afternoon, preparing for Tuesday night's showdown with Oklahoma State.

Media Day and senior sendoff

Wisconsin celebrated its seniors at practice on Monday, hoisting the Badger veterans off of the field after drills concluded. Before the prep work for Tuesday, Wisconsin's John Torchio, Maema Njongmeta, Braelon Allen, Chez Mellusi, Chimere Dike and head coach Luke Fickell took the stage at Guaranteed Rate Bowl media day.

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Bowl History

Wisconsin has a storied history in bowl games, winning 7 of its last 8 bowl games — equaling the most wins of any FBS team during that span. The Badgers’ 21-year bowl streak is the 3rd longest active streak in the nation. For a full rundown of Wisconsin's history in bowl games, click here

With Wisconsin heading to Phoenix for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, the Badgers will be playing their first bowl game in Arizona since a 38-10 win over Utah in the Copper Bowl on Dec. 27, 1996 in Tucson, Ariz. Ron Dayne ran for 246 yards and 3 scores on 30 carries. Dayne’s 246 rushing yards in the win rank second in program bowl history while his three rushing touchdowns rank second in UW bowl history. 

This December, the Badgers highlighted recent bowl wins on social media. Key moments from each victory were featured in content across UW football social channels.