Stifling Defense, Second-Half Scoring Combine to Take Down Badgers

Saturday, October 4

Ann Arbor, Mich.

Noon

Michigan

4-1 , 2-0

Wisconsin

2-3 , 0-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Wisconsin

Michigan

Justice Haynes (Michigan Photography)

Stifling Defense, Second-Half Scoring Combine to Take Down Badgers

10/4/2025 3:52:00 PM | Football

Box Score Notes Press Conference: Players In the Trenches: Wisconsin Recap Participation PDF Boxscore Photo Gallery

By: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium)
Score: #20 Michigan 24, Wisconsin 10
Records: U-M (4-1, 2-0 B1G), Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2 B1G)
Attendance: 111,070
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at USC (Los Angeles, Calif.), 4:30 p.m. PT (TV: NBC)

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 20-ranked University of Michigan football team had a strong defensive showing in a 24-10 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday (Oct. 4) at Michigan Stadium. The win included a stretch of nine straight Badger drives ending in a punt or turnover. On the other side of the ball, the Wolverines totaled 445 yards, the third time they've passed the 400-yard threshold this season.

In a matchup between two of the premier rush defenses in the country, the first quarter featured a clear focus on the ground game. Both teams scored rushing touchdowns in the opening quarter, with Dilin Jones punching it in from five yards out on third down for the Badgers before the Wolverines responded with a one-yard score of their own -- Justice Haynes' seventh touchdown of the campaign.

Haynes finished the game with 19 carries for 117 yards, adding a second touchdown in the fourth quarter. Haynes has surpassed one hundred yards in five straight games to open the season. Overall, the Maize and Blue's total of 175 yards on the ground marked the most against Wisconsin this season, eclipsing the 72 yards Alabama accumulated on Sept. 13.

After the strong start, both offenses stalled, leading to a combined six straight punts and eight total for the half. It wasn't until just under six minutes left in the second quarter that the Wolverines broke the scoring drought off the foot of Dominic Zvada, set up by a 32-yard toe-tap grab by freshman Andrew Marsh along the Badgers' sideline.

The Michigan defense looked strong in the effort, allowing only 172 yards following the opening drive score. They forced a total of eight punts in the contest, including five three-and-outs, while also adding an interception from Rod Moore in the third quarter. Derrick Moore recorded five tackles, including a third-down sack in the fourth quarter.

The Wolverines featured a much more pass-heavy approach going into the second half, with Bryce Underwood throwing for a career-high 270 yards, with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Donaven McCulley following another 33-yard grab by McCulley earlier in the drive.

In total, McCulley led the Wolverines in receiving with six catches for 112 yards to go along with the touchdown.

Michigan returns to the road next Saturday (Oct. 11) when it takes on USC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. PT kickoff, and the game will be broadcast live on NBC.