The 2015 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Badgers, led by first-year head coach Paul Chryst, were members of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium. On January 13, 2015, the Badgers hired offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph. The Badgers were the media preseason favorites to win the Big Ten West division. During fall camp prior to the start of the season Chryst announced the Badgers would return to a pro-style punt scheme instead of the shield punt scheme, also known as the spread punt scheme. Two days after Wisconsin played in the Holiday Bowl defensive coordinator Dave Aranda was hired by LSU as their new defensive coordinator. At the end of the season, Wisconsin featured the #1 defense in college football, with opponents averaging just 13.1 points per game against the Badgers.
Recruiting
Watchlists and preseason awards
Vince Biegel (OLB) Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award
Michael Caputo (S) Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award
Corey Clement (RB) Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award
Alex Erickson (WR) Biletnikoff Award
Rafael Gaglianone (K) Lou Groza Award
Dan Voltz (C) Rimington Trophy, Outland Trophy
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries
vs #3 Alabama
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Corey Clement Jr FB Derek Watt RS Sr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Rob Wheelwright Jr TE Austin Traylor RS Sr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Michael Deiter RS Fr C Dan Voltz RS Jr RG Walker Williams RS Jr RT Hayden Biegel RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Arthur Goldberg RS Jr DT Conor Sheehy So DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Leon Jacobs Jr OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Leo Musso RS Jr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
Miami (OH)
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr FB Derek Watt RS Sr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Rob Wheelwright Jr TE Austin Traylor RS Sr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Michael Deiter RS Fr C Dan Voltz RS Jr RG Walker Williams RS Jr RT Hayden Biegel RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Arthur Goldberg RS Jr DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Leon Jacobs Jr OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Derrick Tindal So CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Leo Musso RS Jr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
Troy
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr FB Derek Watt RS Sr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Rob Wheelwright Jr TE Austin Traylor RS Sr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Michael Deiter RS Fr C Dan Voltz RS Jr RG Micah Kapoi RS Fr RT Hayden Biegel RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Arthur Goldberg RS Jr DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Leon Jacobs Jr OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Derrick Tindal So CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
Hawaii
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Taiwan Deal Jr FB Derek Watt RS Sr FB Austin Ramesh RS So WR Reggie Love RS Jr TE Austin Traylor RS Sr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Michael Deiter RS Fr C Dan Voltz RS Jr RG Micah Kapoi RS Fr RT Hayden Biegel RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Arthur Goldberg RS Jr DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB Chris Orr Fr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr OLB Joe Schobert Sr S Leo Musso RS Jr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
Iowa
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr FB Derek Watt RS Sr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Rob Wheelwright Jr TE Austin Traylor RS Sr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Michael Deiter RS Fr C Dan Voltz RS Jr RG Micah Kapoi RS Fr RT Jacob Maxwell RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Arthur Goldberg RS Jr NT Olive Sagapolu Fr DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Chris Orr Fr OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
At Nebraska
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Taiwan Deal RS Fr FB Derek Watt RS Sr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Rob Wheelwright Jr TE Eric Steffes RS Jr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Michael Deiter RS Fr C Dan Voltz RS Jr RG Micah Kapoi RS Fr RT Beau Benzschawel RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Arthur Goldberg RS Jr NT Olive Sagapolu Fr DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Chris Orr Fr OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
Purdue
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr FB Derek Watt RS Sr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Rob Wheelwright Jr TE Eric Steffes RS Jr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Michael Deiter RS Fr C Walker Williams RS Jr RG Micah Kapoi RS Fr RT Beau Benzschawel RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Arthur Goldberg RS Jr NT Conor Sheehy So DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Chris Orr Fr OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
At Illinois
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Rob Wheelwright Jr TE Troy Fumagalli RS So TE Eric Steffes RS Jr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Michael Deiter RS Fr C Dan Voltz RS Jr RG Walker Williams RS Jr RT Beau Benzschawel RS FrReference:
+Defense NT Conor Sheehy So DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Chris Orr Fr OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton Jr CB Derrick Tindal SoReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
Rutgers
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr FB Derek Watt RS Sr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Jazz Peavy RS So TE Troy Fumagalli RS So LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Micah Kapoi RS Fr C Michael Deiter RS Fr RG Walker Williams RS Jr RT Beau Benzschawel RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Alec James RS So NT Conor Sheehy So DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Jack Cichy RS So OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Jack Russell Sr KO P.J. Rosowski RS Fr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr PR Jazz Peavy RS So KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
At Maryland
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr FB Austin Ramesh RS So WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Tanner McEvoy RS Sr TE Troy Fumagalli RS So LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Micah Kapoi RS Fr C Michael Deiter RS Fr RG Walker Williams RS Jr RT Beau Benzschawel RS FrReference:
+Defense NT Conor Sheehy So DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Jack Cichy RS So OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton Jr CB Derrick Tindal SoReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Jack Russell Sr KO P.J. Rosowski RS Fr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
#20 Northwestern
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Jazz Peavy RS So TE Troy Fumagalli RS So TE Austin Traylor RS Sr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Micah Kapoi RS Fr C Michael Deiter RS Fr RG Walker Williams RS Jr RT Beau Benzschawel RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Arthur Goldberg RS Jr NT Conor Sheehy So DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Jack Cichy RS So OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr SS Michael Caputo RS Sr FS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Jack Russell Sr LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
At Minnesota
Source
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+Offense QB Joel Stave RS Sr RB Dare Ogunbowale Jr FB Derek Watt RS Sr WR Alex Erickson RS Sr WR Jazz Peavy RS So TE Austin Traylor RS Sr LT Tyler Marz RS Sr LG Micah Kapoi RS Fr C Michael Deiter RS Fr RG Beau Benzschawel RS Fr RT Jacob Maxwell RS FrReference:
+Defense DE Conor Sheehy So NT Olive Sagapolu Fr DE Chikwe Obasih RS So OLB Vince Biegel RS Jr ILB T. J. Edwards RS Fr ILB Jack Cichy RS So OLB Joe Schobert Sr CB Darius Hillary RS Sr FS Michael Caputo RS Sr SS Tanner McEvoy RS Sr CB Sojourn Shelton JrReference:
+Special teams P Drew Meyer RS Sr FG Rafael Gaglianone So KO Andrew Endicott Jr KO P.J. Rosowski RS Fr KO Jack Russell SR LS Connor Udelhoven RS Jr H Drew Meyer RS Sr PR Alex Erickson RS Sr KR Natrell Jamerson SoReference:
Holiday Bowl
Coaching staff
Paul Chryst Head coach / quarterbacks coach 2015 Dave Aranda Defensive coordinator / inside linebackers coach 2013 Joe Rudolph Associate head coach / offensive coordinator / offensive line coach 2015 John Settle Running backs coach 2015 Mickey Turner Tight ends coach 2015 Ted Gilmore Wide receivers coach 2015 Daronte Jones Defensive backs coach 2015 Tim Tibesar Outside linebackers coach 2015 Inoke Breckterfield Defensive line coach 2015 Chris Haering Special teams coordinator 2015 Ross Kolodziej Strength and conditioning coach 2015
Roster
Departures After enrolling early and attending spring training quarterback Austin Kafentzis announced that he would transfer from Wisconsin to the University of Nevada before the start of the 2015 season.
At the end of the season redshirt freshman quarterback D.J. Gillins announced that he would transfer as well, to Pearl River Community College. It was reported that Gillins likely transferred because he wouldn't fit in Paul Chryst's Pro-style offense, he was originally recruited by former head coach Gary Andersen as a more mobile dual-threat style quarterback.
Depth chart
Statistics
Team