Wisconsin football did something that a Badger team hasn't done in nine seasons: finish a game without committing a single penalty. That's hard to do under any circumstances, but considering this was a game that had a shuffled offensive line, a backup quarterback, and even a few true freshmen, that's insane.
This will now be a game that Luke Fickell points to for the rest of the season. Coaches are always preaching about not committing penalties, and now Fickell knows his team can do it. While this game against Middle Tennessee eventually got out of hand (thanks to a big second half) and there will be a lot of teaching and coaching points, this may be the one that matters come Big Ten play.
If this Wisconsin team can play clean, it's one less way that they can shoot themselves in the foot. They can play straight up without bone-headedness getting in the way.
Wisconsin didn’t commit a penalty against Middle Tennessee, marking the first time since Oct. 22, 2016, against Iowa that the #Badgers were not penalized. Tip of the cap, considering all the shuffling on the offensive line. pic.twitter.com/QOVJBgFWuV
— Dillon Graff (@DillonGraff) September 7, 2025
Wisconsin didn't commit a single penalty against Middle Tennessee
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Last week, Wisconsin only committed five total penalties against Miami (OH). Five in a game is impressive, but not quite as impressive as zero. The Badgers are truly sitting two games into this season with five total penalties: offense, defense, and special teams. That's superb and will truly help all season.
Out of those five penalties, the defense only has one. It was a pass interference by D'Yoni Hill for 15 yards. The offense has the other four with a false start, an ineligible receiver downfield, a delay of game, and a holding penalty.
It will be a point of note for Fickell and his team to keep this going, especially next week when they go to Tuscaloosa and deal with the fans desperate for a Power 4 win.