Mandell Back? Badgers Focus on Consistency | Wisconsin Badgers Football News

Wisconsin’s football team is poised for a big win against underdog Western Illinois, favored by nearly 40 points — a potential milestone in coach Luke Fickell’s tenure. With offensive lineman Emerson Mandell nearing a return after foot surgery, backups Stylz Blackmon and Blake Cherry have stepped up, with Cherry seeing more snaps. Fickell’s message? Stay consistent — no matter the opponent. The defense’s standout first-half performance against Notre Dame, where they forced third-and-long situations by dominating first and second downs, is the blueprint they’re doubling down on. This isn’t about scoring targets — it’s about playing their best every week, fundamentals-first, and building momentum from their early-season success. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/49e64d508d00bd9a