Wisconsin’s Penn State Comeback: Texts From the Future

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Wisconsin’s Penn State Comeback: Texts From the Future

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Tom Williams | Last updated Sep 27, 2026 9:43 AM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) gave fans every reason to reach for the remote Saturday night. Down 17-0 at No. 13 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten), they had thrown two INTs, one returned for a TD. By the final whistle, Wisconsin had a 24-20 win and its largest road comeback since 2001.

But at 17-0, who would have believed that ending? Maybe a Badger fan getting texts from his future self.

Setting the Stage

Penn State led 3-0 after one quarter. Early in the second, Josiah Zayas returned a Colton Joseph interception 51 yards for a TD. Daryus Dixson picked Joseph off on Wisconsin’s next possession, giving Penn State the ball at the Badgers’ 11. Three plays later, Rocco Becht scored from 3 yards out to make it 17-0.

Texts From the Future

That’s when the Badger fan, let’s call him Bucky, reached for the remote.

His phone buzzed.

Future Bucky: don’t turn it off

Bucky: who is this?

Future Bucky: you. from later tonight. we win

Bucky: lol Joseph just threw his second pick

Future Bucky: he throws a third. then turns into Russell Wilson

Bucky: worst pep talk ever. he looks like Braedyn Locke.

Joseph capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a 7-yard TD run before halftime. Wisconsin cut the deficit to 17-10 in the third quarter, but Penn State answered with a field goal. The Badgers entered the fourth down 20-10.

Bucky: down 10 in the fourth. still saying we win?

Future Bucky: yep

Bucky: they just said PSU is 59-1 since 2014 when up 10+ at half

Future Bucky: 59-2

Bucky: you’re drunk

Future Bucky: wait for Hilton

Bucky: T.Y. bringing beer?

Future Bucky: his son. just watch

Joseph found Eugene Hilton Jr. for an 11-yard TD with 3:31 left, cutting Penn State’s lead to 20-17.

Bucky: LET’S GO

Bucky: wait. three minutes left. OT?

Future Bucky: no

Future Bucky: Jacob Harris goes 72 yards for the TD

Bucky: who? put the drink down

On Wisconsin’s next possession, Joseph hit Harris for a 72-yard TD on third-and-13 from his own 28. The Badgers led for the first time with 1:13 left, and Javan Robinson broke up two passes on Penn State’s final drive to seal the win.

Bucky: WE WON. are we actually good?

Future Bucky: ask me after next week

Closing Thoughts

Coaches talk about going 1-0 each week. On paper, this win counts the same as Wisconsin’s first two. Try telling that to Badger Nation.

Wisconsin has now won three of its last four games against ranked opponents, a stretch that includes last year’s Washington upset. At his postgame press conference, Fickell said, “I don’t know if I’ve had one more special. I know I haven’t in four years.”

The questions about Fickell’s future haven’t disappeared, but they can wait a day. The future can text tomorrow. For now, Wisconsin fans should leave the texts unread and enjoy this one.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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