Sep 6, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) scores against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the second half at Camp Randall Stadium. Kayla Wolf-Imagn Images

Wisconsin Badgers' win over Middle Tennessee State was historic in multiple ways

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Lorin Cox | Last updated Sep 7, 2025 6:08 AM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers had an unconventional blowout victory over Middle Tennessee State that found some surprising ways to make team history.

Despite the team's slow start, Danny O'Neil set a new team record for passing yards in his first start for the program.

Part of his success came on a 99-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter than ended with a wide open touchdown pass to Jayden Ballard.

That marked Wisconsin's first 99-yard scoring drive since Week 2 of 2003 in the team's home opener against Akron.

Against Middle Tennessee State, the Badgers ripped off touchdown runs on two end-around handoffs to wide receivers Trech Kekahuna and Vinny Anthony II.

There was no stopping Trech Kekahuna on this 6️⃣1️⃣-yard rushing TD ⚡@BadgerFootball leads Middle Tennessee 35-10 in the fourth quarter pic.twitter.com/D8rgro7ETk
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 6, 2025

It was the first time since 1995 that Wisconsin had two different wide receivers score a rushing touchdown in the same game.

And it was easy not to notice that the Badgers went the entire game without being flagged for a penalty. That marked the first game they were not penalized since 2016 when No. 10 Wisconsin beat the Hawkeyes 17-9.

Tight end Lance Mason broke onto the scene with seven catches for 102 yards and a touchdown, becoming the first Badgers tight end to hit triple digits in a game since Troy Fumagalli in 2017.

It all looked more difficult than it needed to, but Wisconsin found a way to salvage a concerning start into a historic win.