Hopkins Leads Wisconsin Past Rutgers in First Start

Ryan Hopkins’ first start gave Wisconsin a 31-10 win over Rutgers on November 7, 2026, as the Badgers rebounded from a 30-0 loss to Iowa. Hopkins completed 18 of 24 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns, earning the job after replacing Colton Joseph during the Iowa game. In each of the three games before that, Joseph finished with under 100 passing yards.

Hopkins connected with Eugene Hilton Jr. for a 21-yard score, Ryan Schwendeman for an 11-yard touchdown and Jacob Harris for a 66-yard fourth-quarter touchdown. Harris caught the ball near midfield, broke a tackle and ran down the sideline. Hopkins also had an interception wiped out by a roughing-the-passer penalty.

Gavin Lahm kicked field goals of 51, 26 and 22 yards. His 26-yard kick with 24 seconds left in the first half put Wisconsin ahead 13-10, and the Badgers shut out Rutgers after halftime. Wisconsin finished with five sacks and eight tackles for loss; Cooper Catalano led the team with 14 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and a sack.

Rutgers tied the score late in the second quarter on a 30-yard touchdown pass from substitute quarterback Athan Surace to Dyzier Carter. Injuries kept four Scarlet Knights sidelined: KJ Duff at receiver, Dylan Lonergan at quarterback, and offensive linemen Tyler Needham and Kwabena Asamoah. Rutgers finished 2-7, while Wisconsin improved to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten.

Rutgers hosts Nebraska next Saturday, and Wisconsin visits Maryland. The Badgers’ first start from Hopkins offered hope of stability at quarterback after injuries and inconsistent play had troubled the position, even with tackle Kevin Heywood out for the season.