Wisconsin Football: Badgers' Halloween history

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

We are only a few days away from the 2016 Halloween Weekend, and although the official holiday is on a Monday this year, many people across the country will be celebrating it a few days early.

This includes Madison, Wisconsin.

On Saturday, downtown Madison will experience their annual Freakfest Music Festival, which is the region’s largest annual Halloween party and music event that occurs on the Saturday closest to Halloween. The event takes place in the heart of Madison’s downtown area, specifically on State Street, where students and others take place in a night of dressed-up fun.

There is also another event taking place on Saturday in Madison, about one and half miles away from the beloved Freakfest event. At around 6:00 pm central time, the 11th ranked Wisconsin Badgers will host the undefeated and No. 7 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall with major championship implications on the line.

Since 2006, the Badgers are 6-2 on Halloween weekend, having had a bye week in the 2010 and 2013 seasons. Over the last decade, the Badgers have played twice on Halloween Day, winning both of those matchups at home by displaying a scary-good defense in a 37-0 victory over Purdue in 2013 and a 48-10 demolishing of Rutgers in 2015. The Badgers’ two losses came in back to back years, falling 33-29 to Ohio State on the road in 2011, followed by a heartbreaking home loss in overtime to Michigan State (16-13) in 2012.

Join us, as we revisit some of the best moments in recent history of Wisconsin football and Halloween.

October 28, 2006: Wisconsin 30, Illinois 24

Like the popular Halloween character, Beetlejuice, the Badgers were able to scare the Illinois Fighting Illini and “Juice” out of Camp Randall thanks to major comeback at home.

Led by freshman quarterback at the time Isiah “Juice” Williams, the Illini at 2-7 overall stunned the crowd at Camp Randall, jumping out to a 21-3 lead in the second quarter. Three first half turnovers by Wisconsin led to Illinois’ three touchdowns, and to add injury to insult, the Badgers lost starting running back P.J. Hill and started the second half down a key starter.

Trailing 24-10 at half, the Badgers defense turned it up a notch in the second half, helping the offense score 20 unanswered points and taking the 30-24 victory over the Illini. Wisconsin improved to 8-1 following that victory and went on to one of their most successful seasons under then head coach Bret Bielema, including a 17-14 bowl victory over Bielema’s current team Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl.

October 25, 2008: Wisconsin 27, Illinois 17

Oh look, it’s the Fighting Illini again. Since 2005, the Badgers have had great success against Illinois on Halloween Weekend, posting a perfect 3-0 record in that span. The result was no different in 2008, as the Badgers turned around one of their worst stretches in recent memory by knocking off the Illini 27-17.

Wisconsin entered the game on a four-game losing streak and winless in the Big Ten at 0-4 and in great danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since 2001.

This time, the Badgers got to Illini quarterback Juice Williams early and often, forcing three interceptions and two long returns that ultimately set up points for the inexperienced Wisconsin offense.

Perhaps rock bottom in the recent string of success the Badgers have enjoyed, an empty student section and bare bleachers were well-deserved during this time.

Despite the struggles, wide receiver David Gilreath made sure it would not continue as he hauled in two touchdowns, including the icing on the Halloween-themed cookies with just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter to solidify the Badgers’ ten point victory.

Wisconsin went on to finish the season 7-6 overall, making the Champs Sports Bowl but losing to Florida State 42-13.

October 25, 2014: Wisconsin 52, Maryland 7

Nothing like welcoming a new team to the conference by blowing them out of the water and winning by 45 points.

In their first meeting ever and Maryland’s first game at Camp Randall, it was all tricks and no treats for the Terrapins as Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon and company had their way with the opposing defense.

Gordon rushed for 122 yards and three touchdowns and the Badgers defense held the Terrapins to just 175 yards of total offense, holding them to just 3-15 on third down conversions. Maryland’s only points of the game came with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter as a 21-yard touchdown pitch and catch helped them avoid the shut out.

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Saturday will be the first ranked matchup for the Badgers on Halloween this century. Stay tuned for further updates and analysis leading up to Nebraska.