Luke Fickell: 'Don't Have Any Excuses' for Wisconsin Football's Loss to Nebraska

The Badgers' head coach was blunt after Wisconsin's 44-25 defeat Saturday at Nebraska. He commented on the team's tackling troubles and more.

Nov 23, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule, left, and Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell talk before a game at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Luke Fickell was looking for answers and offering no excuses Saturday night after Wisconsin football's 44-25 loss at Nebraska.

"I don’t have any excuses. We didn’t play well. The complementary football that we have to have on the road in particular. It’s snowballed to be played really, really poor," Fickell told reporters after the game.

The Badgers' coach said a key issues was the "tackling in the second half." The Cornhuskers were dominant offensively, as freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola finished 28-of-38 for 293 passing yards and one touchdown. Nebraska also rattled off 185 rushing yards with four touchdowns including three by Dante Dowdell.

Running back Emmett Johnson was a workhorse for the Huskers, pounding the ball on 16 carries for 113 rushing yards and adding six receptions for 85 yards. The performance by Nebraska's offense had Fickell questioning the resolve of Wisconsin heading into the final week of the regular season.

Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson rushes for a 6-yard gain during the fourth quarter against Wisconsin. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

"We’ve got to challenge ourselves. We’re going to look real deep here in a short week and find who's with us and who's willing to put it all, lay it all out on the line for these seniors coming up next week," Fickell said.

The former Cincinnati coach said the season is not over for the Badgers, who are seeking their sixth win to get to bowl eligibility. The Badgers' response, he said, could come down to the leaders in the program.

“Regardless of whether it's really good or struggles. I mean, you got to have faith, and it's just a matter of at which route you have to continue to push, to go forward. I don't have a problem having blind faith. You know, when you struggle like that, I'm sure there's guys that have some doubts in their minds and things like that. But you know, when you really think about things like that, you think about those older guys, seniors in particular, that have dedicated themselves, invested themselves, and I mean that asking these guys to go away for 14 days for camp, to do the things that we've asked them to do, and not be able to perform and do the things the way we need to be able to do them, to give them the results that they want. It's tough, but it's part of this game. You're gonna have to find ways to pick yourself back up and have some faith in the process," Fickell said.

Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson lines up for a play against Wisconsin. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

He talked more about the need for resiliency.

"It's about leadership. And I know there's body blows that take a toll, but you got to find ways to get back up each and every week. That's where we're really struggling. We play really, really well, and then we get to a situation where things don't go well. You can't find a way to kind of regroup and have the poise enough to be able to make some adjustments and play better, especially in the second half. But that's to be honest, it's what I've been searching for for quite a while," Fickell said.

He continued by saying the Badgers need to go head-first into the grind again.

"I don't have an answer. Can't put a finger on it other than go back to work and make sure you know who you got with you and who's willing to do the same things that you would want to do to be addicted to this fight," Fickell said.

Nebraska running back Dante Dowdell goes over the top for a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against Wisconsin. / Kenny Larabee, KLIN

With the victory, Nebraska ended a 10-game losing streak to the Badgers that started in 2012 when the Huskers were blasted in the Big Ten Championship game, 70-31.

Wisconsin wraps up its season against Minnesota on Black Friday, with an 11 a.m. CST kickoff in Madison, while Nebraska is at Iowa that night at 6:30 CST. Hear Fickell's complete postgame remarks below.

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