HOUSTON, September 28, 2026 — Wisconsin head football coach Luke Fickell has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week following Wisconsin’s 24-20 come-from-behind win over No. 13 Penn State at Beaver Stadium.
The Badgers completed a 17-point comeback to give Wisconsin its largest overall comeback since 2006 and its largest road comeback since 2001.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
The Nittany Lions jumped out to a 17-0 advantage early in the second quarter, but the Badgers used a seven-yard run by Colton Joseph to pull to within ten at the half.
On the opening drive of the third quarter, Wisconsin cut the deficit to seven on a 34-yard field goal by Gavin Lahm, but Penn State answered in the closing minutes of the quarter to push its lead back to ten.
From there, the Badgers’ defense held firm, forcing back-to-back stops before an 11-yard pass from Joseph to Eugene Hilton, Jr. brought Wisconsin to within three with 3:31 to play. Again, the Wisconsin defense came up big, forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back just over a minute later.
Facing a 3rd-and-13 at their own 28, Joseph connected with Jacob Harris on the game-winning score, a 72-yard touchdown pass that gave the Badgers their first lead of the contest.
The Badgers return to Madison on Saturday, Oct. 3, hosting Michigan State.
Each week through the remainder of the season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week is chosen by a committee of national college football media members. Fickell’s selection follows previous selections of Ole Miss’ Pete Golding, Oklahoma State Eric Morris, Western Michigan’s Lance Taylor and Memphis’ Charles Huff.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
###