What Is 2015 Wisconsin Badgers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 10-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Big Ten Conference play. They won the Holiday Bowl against USC with a final score of 23-21, marking their third consecutive 10-win season under head coach Gary Andersen.

Key Facts

The 2015 Wisconsin Badgers finished the season with a 10-3 overall record
They achieved a 6-2 conference record in the Big Ten's West Division
Running back Corey Clement rushed for 1,374 yards and 12 touchdowns
The team defeated USC 23-21 in the Holiday Bowl on December 30, 2015
Head coach Gary Andersen left for Oregon State after the regular season

Overview

The 2015 Wisconsin Badgers football team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Led by head coach Gary Andersen through the regular season and interim coach Barry Alvarez for the bowl game, the team posted a 10-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in conference play, securing second place in the Big Ten West Division.

Despite a strong rushing attack and disciplined defense, the Badgers narrowly missed the Big Ten Championship Game. Their season concluded with a dramatic 23-21 victory over the USC Trojans in the Holiday Bowl, showcasing resilience and a hallmark physical running game. The season also marked transition, as Andersen departed for Oregon State after the regular season finale.

Record: The team finished with a 10-3 overall record, including a 6-2 conference performance, marking the third straight season with at least 10 wins under Andersen’s leadership.
Key Player: Running back Corey Clement returned from injury to rush for 1,374 yards and 12 touchdowns, becoming the offensive centerpiece and earning All-Big Ten honors.
Defensive Strength: Wisconsin’s defense ranked 10th nationally in rushing defense, allowing only 102.5 yards per game, a critical factor in close victories.
Bowl Game: The Badgers defeated the USC Trojans 23-21 in the Holiday Bowl on December 30, 2015, sealing the win with a goal-line stand in the final seconds.
Coaching Change: Head coach Gary Andersen resigned on December 10, 2015, to take the same position at Oregon State, prompting interim leadership by legendary former coach Barry Alvarez.

Key Players and Performance

The 2015 season featured standout individual performances, particularly on offense and defense, which helped the Badgers remain competitive in a tough Big Ten landscape. The team relied heavily on a physical ground game and a disciplined defense to secure key wins.

Corey Clement: After missing the 2014 season due to injury, Clement rushed for 1,374 yards and led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big Ten recognition.
Joel Stave: The senior quarterback threw for 2,182 yards and 13 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions, providing steady leadership despite limited big-play ability.
Leon Jacobs: A breakout sophomore season saw Jacobs record 87 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss, anchoring the linebacker corps and earning Freshman All-American honors in 2014.
Leo Musso: The safety recorded 73 tackles and 3 interceptions, contributing to a defense that held opponents under 20 points in seven games.
Team Rushing: Wisconsin averaged 244.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 15th nationally and continuing the program’s tradition of dominant ground attacks.
Special Teams: Freshman kicker Andrzej Hughes-Murray made 18 of 23 field goals, including a crucial 47-yarder in the Holiday Bowl, while averaging 64.3 yards on kickoffs.

Comparison at a Glance

Performance comparison between the 2015 Wisconsin Badgers and key opponents:

Category	Wisconsin	USC (Holiday Bowl)	Michigan State (Big Ten rival)
Overall Record	10-3	8-6	7-6
Points Per Game	27.8	33.8	25.2
Rushing Yards Per Game	244.6	158.2	134.7
Passing Yards Per Game	158.9	255.3	192.1
Defensive Points Allowed	18.9	28.4	22.8

The table highlights Wisconsin’s reliance on a dominant rushing attack and stout defense compared to higher-scoring teams like USC. While the Badgers lagged in passing production, their ground game and defensive discipline enabled them to win close games, particularly in the Holiday Bowl where they held USC to 21 points despite the Trojans’ high-powered offense.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was significant for Wisconsin as it demonstrated program stability during a coaching transition and reaffirmed the team’s identity built on physical football. The season also highlighted the challenges of maintaining elite status in college football amid coaching changes and evolving offensive trends.

Continuity: Despite Andersen’s departure, Barry Alvarez’s return as interim coach provided stability and helped secure a pivotal bowl victory.
Recruiting Impact: The 10-win season and Holiday Bowl win helped Wisconsin maintain strong recruiting momentum in the Midwest.
Player Development: Corey Clement’s resurgence proved the program’s ability to develop talent after injury setbacks.
Program Identity: The season reinforced Wisconsin’s reputation for dominant rushing attacks and disciplined defense under any coaching regime.
Bowl Prestige: Winning the Holiday Bowl against a prominent Pac-12 team enhanced the Badgers’ national profile and bowl success rate.
Transition Year: The 2015 season served as a bridge to Paul Chryst’s tenure, setting expectations for sustained competitiveness in the Big Ten.

Ultimately, the 2015 Wisconsin Badgers exemplified resilience and tradition, finishing strong despite off-field uncertainty. The season remains a testament to the program’s depth and culture of consistency.