The 1974 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1974 Big Ten season. In their fifth year under head coach John Jardine, the Badgers compiled a 7–4 record (5–3 in conference games), finished in fourth place in the Big Ten, and outscored opponents by a total of 341 to 243.[1][2]
The Badgers gained an average of 112.4 passing yards and 287.5 rushing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 118.6 passing yards and 220.1 rushing yards per game.[3] The team's individual statistical leaders included: quarterback Gregg Bohlig (1,212 passing yards); running back Billy Marek (1,215 rushing yards); and wide receiver Jeff Mack (16 receptions for 353 yards).[3]
Bohlig and Mark Zakula were the team captains.[4] Bohlig was selected as the team's most valuable player.[5] Five Wisconsin players received first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors from the Associated Press (AP) or United Press International (UPI): Marek at running back (AP-1, UPI-1); Dennis Lick at offensive tackle (AP-1, UPI-1); Jack Novak at end/receiver (AP-2, UPI-1); Terry Stieve at offensive guard (AP-2, UPI-2); and Rick Jakious at linebacker (AP-2).[6][7][8]
The Badgers played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|
| September 14 | at Purdue | | | W 28–14 | 54,239 | [9] |
| September 21 | No. 4 Nebraska* | | | W 21–20 | 73,381 | [10] |
| September 28 | at Colorado* | No. 11 | | L 21–24 | 50,512 | [11] |
| October 5 | Missouri* | | - Camp Randall Stadium
- Madison, WI
| W 59–20 | 71,141 | [12] |
| October 12 | at No. 1 Ohio State | No. 13 | | L 7–52 | 87,717 | [13] |
| October 19 | No. 3 Michigan | | - Camp Randall Stadium
- Madison, WI
| L 20–24 | 78,911 | [14] |
| October 26 | at Indiana | | | W 35–25 | 31,453 | [15] |
| November 2 | No. 20 Michigan State | | - Camp Randall Stadium
- Madison, WI
| L 21–28 | 78,848 | [16] |
| November 9 | at Iowa | | | W 28–15 | 48,300 | [17] |
| November 16 | at Northwestern | | | W 52–7 | 28,533 | [18] |
| November 23 | Minnesota | | - Camp Randall Stadium
- Madison, WI (rivalry)
| W 49–14 | 55,869 | [19] |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
|
Game summaries
Minnesota
Roster
| 1974 Wisconsin Badgers football team roster
|
| Players
|
Coaches
|
| Offense
|
Defense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| DT
|
57
|
Dave Anderson
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
92
|
Mike Benninger
|
Sr
|
| DT
|
79
|
Bill Brandt
|
Jr
|
| S
|
10
|
Terry Buss
|
Jr
|
| DE
|
7
|
Pat Collins
|
So
|
| S
|
11
|
Mark Cullen
|
Sr
|
| DT
|
90
|
Gary Dickert
|
Sr
|
| CB
|
4
|
Bill Drummond
|
Jr
|
| DT
|
57
|
Bob Czechowicz
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
4
|
Bill Drummond
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
49
|
Jim Franz
|
Jr
|
| DE
|
96
|
Randy Frokjer
|
Sr
|
| MG
|
54
|
Mike Grice
|
Fr
|
| DE
|
40
|
Bill Hazard
|
Sr
|
| LB
|
34
|
Rick Jakious
|
Sr
|
| MG
|
36
|
Mike Jenkins
|
Sr
|
| DB
|
28
|
Rex Jones
|
Jr
|
| DT
|
48
|
Bill Kazmaier
|
Jr
|
| CB
|
12
|
Greg Lewis
|
Jr
|
| CB
|
5
|
Tim McConnell
|
So
|
| DT
|
62
|
Andy Michuda
|
So
|
| S
|
13
|
Bob Mietz
|
Jr
|
| CB
|
24
|
Alvin Peabody
|
Sr
|
| DT
|
76
|
John Rasmussen
|
So
|
| CB, P
|
8
|
Ken Simmons
|
Jr
|
| DE
|
65
|
Mike Vesperman
|
Sr
|
| S
|
6
|
Steve Wagner
|
Jr
|
| S
|
21
|
Jim Wimpress
|
Sr
|
| DE
|
47
|
Mark Zakula (C)
|
Sr
|
| LB
|
50
|
John Zimmerman
|
Jr
|
|
Special teams
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| K
|
1
|
Vladmir LaBun
|
Jr
|
| K
|
2
|
Vince Lamia
|
So
|
| CB, P
|
8
|
Ken Simmons
|
Jr
|
| P
|
41
|
Stan Williams
|
Sr
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Ellis Rainsberger – Offensive Coordinator
- Lew Stueck – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
- George Chryst – Offensive Line
- Bob Lee – Wide Receivers
- Charlie McBride – Offensive Line
- Dick Selcer – Defensive Backs
- Bob Spoo – Quarterbacks
- Dick Teteak – Defensive Line
- LaVern Van Dyke – Administrative Assistant
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
|
1975 NFL draft
[20]
References
- ^ "1974 Wisconsin Badgers Schedule and Results". SR/College Footbal. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ "Wisconsin Football 2020 Fact Book". University of Wisconsin. p. 184. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "1971 Wisconsin Badgers Stats". SR/College Footbal. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
- ^ Wisconsin Football 2020 Fact Book, p. 145.
- ^ Wisconsin Football 2020 Fact Book, p. 140.
- ^ "All-Big Ten selections". The Daily Northwestern. November 26, 1974. p. 13.
- ^ "Buckeyes Dominate All-Big Ten Team". Ludington Daily News (UPI story). November 27, 1974. p. 6.
- ^ Ed Sainsbury (November 27, 1974). "Many Buckeyes on all Big Ten". The Bryan Times (UPI story). p. 9.
- ^ "Badgers bump Boilermakers in Big Ten opener". The La Crosse Tribune. September 15, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wisconsin upsets Nebraska". The La Crosse Tribune. September 22, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Colorado stuns Badgers". Rapid City Journal. September 29, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Will Mizzou history repeat?". Lincoln Journal Star. October 6, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buckeyes burst Badger bubble 52–7". The Journal Times. October 13, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Michigan tips Badgers 24–20". Green Bay Press-Gazette. October 20, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Badgers escape IU rally for 35–25 Big Ten victory". The Kokomo Tribune. October 27, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Badgers hobbled by bobbles". Wisconsin State Journal. November 3, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Badgers smash Hawkeyes". Evansville Courier & Press. November 10, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Marek scores 4 TDs again as Badgers rout Wildcats". The Herald-Times. November 17, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Badgers rip Gophers". Lansing State Journal. November 24, 1974. Retrieved September 21, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1975 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com". Archived from the original on December 21, 2007.
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