What Is 1968 Wisconsin Badgers football team

Overview

The 1968 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 1968 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Big Ten Conference, the team struggled significantly under head coach John Coatta, who was in his third and final year at the helm.

This season is remembered as one of the most difficult in the program’s history due to its poor win-loss record and low offensive output. Despite high hopes entering the season, the Badgers failed to find consistency on either side of the ball, finishing with just a single victory.

• Record: The team finished with a dismal 1-9 overall record, their worst since 1945, and went 1-6 in Big Ten play.
• Head coach:John Coatta served as head coach for the third consecutive season but was dismissed after this campaign.
• Offensive struggles: The Badgers scored only 98 total points for the season, averaging just 9.8 points per game.
• Defensive issues: They allowed 279 points (27.9 per game), indicating serious problems on both sides of the field.
• Single win: Their only victory came against Iowa, 10-7, on November 9, 1968, in Madison.

Season Performance

The 1968 season was defined by offensive stagnation and defensive breakdowns, with few bright spots across the 10-game schedule. The team played a challenging Big Ten slate and was consistently outmatched by conference opponents.

• September losses: The Badgers opened the season with five consecutive losses, including defeats to UCLA (24-10) and Iowa State (27-13).
• October struggles: They were outscored 118-26 over four games in October, including a 38-0 shutout by Purdue.
• Home field: All home games were played at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, which had a capacity of around 77,000 at the time.
• Key player: Quarterback Dave Schreiner (not to be confused with the 1940s All-American) started multiple games but lacked consistent support.
• Final game: The season ended with a 42-7 loss to Minnesota in the annual rivalry game, known as the Paul Bunyan’s Axe matchup.
• Coaching change: After the season, John Coatta was replaced by John Strege, though the program would remain in decline for several more years.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1968 season compares poorly to other years in Wisconsin football history, both in terms of win-loss record and offensive production. The following table highlights key statistics compared to more successful seasons:

The contrast between 1968 and later successful seasons like 1999 or 2011 underscores how far the program had to come. While later eras saw bowl wins and national rankings, 1968 represented a low point that highlighted the need for long-term rebuilding.

Why It Matters

Though the 1968 season was a failure on the field, it played a role in shaping the future direction of Wisconsin football. The poor results accelerated coaching changes and contributed to a broader evaluation of the program’s structure.

• Coaching legacy: John Coatta’s tenure ended after 1968, with a three-year record of 12-20, leading to a search for new leadership.
• Program overhaul: The struggles prompted athletic department reviews and eventually led to the hiring of more competitive coaches in later decades.
• Historical context: The season is often cited as a low point in Wisconsin football history, used as a benchmark for measuring future progress.
• Fan engagement: Attendance and morale dipped, but loyal fans continued supporting the team through difficult years.
• Conference standing: The Badgers finished last in the Big Ten in 1968, a rare and notable distinction in conference history.
• Statistical rarity: Only twice since 1945 has Wisconsin won fewer than two games in a season, making 1968 statistically significant.

The 1968 Wisconsin Badgers season remains a footnote in college football history, but it serves as a reminder of how even storied programs experience downturns before eventual resurgence.