1999 Wisconsin Badgers football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1999 Wisconsin Badgers football Wisconsin Badgers logo.svg 125 Big Ten Conference Big Ten 4 4 10–2 7–1 Barry Alvarez 10th Brian White 1st SmashmouthSeptember 2025 Kevin Cosgrove 5th 4–3September 2025 Ron Dayne Chris McIntoshSeptember 2025 Ron Dayne Jason Doering Chris Ghidorzi Chris McIntosh Donnel ThompsonSeptember 2025 Camp Randall Stadium Big Ten championRose Bowl champion Rose Bowl W 17–9 vs. Stanford The 1999 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their tenth year under head coach Barry Alvarez, the Badgers compiled a 9–2 record (7–1 in conference games), won the Big Ten championship (the program's first outright championship since 1962), and outscored opponents by a total of 409 to 153. After starting the season ranked No. 9, the Badgers lost back-to-back games against Cincinnati and No. 4 Michigan and dropped from the rankings. In their fifth game, they came back from a 17–0 deficit to beat No. 12 Ohio State and went on to win eight straight games, including a record-setting 59–0 victory over Indiana. The season concluded with a 17–9 victory over No. 22 Stanford in the 2000 Rose Bowl. The Badgers were ranked No. 4 in the final AP and Coaches polls. Senior running back Ron Dayne gained 2,034 rushing yards and scored 120 points. He won, among other awards, the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Chicago Tribune Silver Football. Having rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his four years at Wisconsin, Dayne broke the NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) career rushing record, ending his career with 6,397 rushing yards (7,125 including bowl games). Other key players included offensive tackle Chris McIntosh who was selected as a consensus All-American, cornerback Jamar Fletcher who led the Big Ten in interceptions and won first-team All-America honors, quarterback Brooks Bollinger who was named Big Ten freshman of the year, and wide receiver Nick Davis who tallied over 1,000 total yards on receptions and kickoff and punt returns. The team played its home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Schedule 1999 AP Central September 4 11:00 a.m. w y 9 1999 Murray State Racers Murray State Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI MSC 49–10 77,527 For openers, a mismatch: Davis' big returns trigger UW's zapping of Murray State Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern September 5, 1999 1D, 6D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-for-openers-a-m/180311421/ Newspapers.com September 11 11:00 a.m. w y 9 Ball State Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN Plus 50–10 75,807 Badgers, Davis have a ball: Sophomore, defense key another victory Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern September 12, 1999 1D, 11D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-badgers-davis-h/180311535/ Newspapers.com September 18 2:15 p.m. l y y 9 Cincinnati Nippert Stadium Cincinnati, OH FSN 12–17 27,721 'Cats bring down house: UC holds on for win over No. 9 Wisconsin The Cincinnati Enquirer Mike DeCourcy September 19, 1999 D1, D7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-cats-bring-down/180311661/ Newspapers.com September 25 2:30 p.m. l 20 Michigan 4 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI College GameDay ABC 16–21 79,037 Michigan bottles up UW: Badgers offense grinds to halt in Big Ten opener Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern September 26, 1999 1D, 6D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-michigan-bottles/180311779/ Newspapers.com October 2 2:30 p.m. w y Ohio State 12 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC 42–17 93,524 Badgers 42, Buckeyes 17: Brooks brings UW back; Rookie rallies Badgers from 17-0 deficit Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern October 3, 1999 1D, 8D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-badgers-42-buck/180311921/ Newspapers.com October 9 11:00 a.m. w y 20 Minnesota 25 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN rivalry ESPN2 20–17 OT 63,108 Chopped down: Gophers' unbeaten start end with overtime loss to Wisconsin Star Tribune Mark Craig October 10, 1999 C1, C9 https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-chopped-down-gophers-unbe/180354587/ Newspapers.com October 16 11:00 a.m. w y 17 Indiana Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN 59–0 78,243 Wisconsin 59, Indiana 0: UW takes no prisoners; Badgers put it all together in record romp over Indiana Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern October 17, 1999 1D, 12D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-wisconsin-59-in/180351241/ Newspapers.com October 23 11:00 a.m. w 17 Michigan State 11 Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI ESPN2 40–10 78,469 Rush to judgment: Badgers look good; Dayne, defense dominate Spartans Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern October 24, 1999 1D, 9D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-rush-to-judgment/167475994/ Newspapers.com October 30 11:00 a.m. w y 11 Northwestern Ryan Field Evanston, IL ESPN+ 35–19 42,292 Badgers downshift but manage to drop NU Chicago Tribune Skip Myslenski October 31, 1999 6 (section 3) https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-badgers-downshift-but-ma/180355334/ Newspapers.com November 6 2:30 p.m. w y 10 Purdue 17 Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN ABC 28–21 67,308 Boo-boos benefit Badgers: Interceptions, missed field goals doom Boilermakers Journal and Courier Tom Kubat November 7, 1999 B1, B2 https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier-boo-boos-benefit-bad/180354910/ Newspapers.com November 13 2:30 p.m. w 9 Iowa Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI rivalry ABC 41–3 79,404 Wisconsin 41, Iowa 3: Champions again; It's back-to-back Big Ten titles and another trip to the Rose Bowl Wisconsin State Journal November 14, 1999 1D, 5D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-wisconsin-41-io/180350862/ Newspapers.com January 1, 2000 3:30 p.m. w y y 4 Stanford 22 Rose Bowl Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl ABC 17–9 93,731 http://www.rosebowlhistory.org/rose-bowl-2000.php Rose Bowl 2000 2011-10-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20111103235150/http://www.rosebowlhistory.org/rose-bowl-2000.php 2011-11-03 usurpedTwice is nice: Badgers the first in Big Ten to win back-to-back Rose Bowls; Ron Dayne earns MVP with 200-yard performance Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern January 2, 2000 1D, 2D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-twice-is-nice-b/180350493/ Newspapers.com Rankings 1999 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 16 10 9 9 9 20 RV 20 17 17 11 10 9 5 4 4 4 4 Coaches Poll 0 16 10 10* 8 8 17 NR 20 18 16 11 10 9 5 4 4 4 4 BCS 9 15 9 10 8 7 7 8 7 September 2025 Game summaries At Ohio State Wisconsin 0 6 12 24 Ohio State 7 10 0 0 October 2 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH 93,524 Brad Nessler, Dean Blevins & Lynn Swann ABC Source: USA Today yes 1 Ohio St Wiley 1-yard run (Stultz kick) Ohio St 7-0 2 Ohio St Stultz 35-yard field goal Ohio St 10-0 2 Ohio St Germany 40-yard pass from Bellisari (Stultz kick) Ohio St 17-0 2 Wisconsin Pisetsky 42-yard field goal Ohio St 17-3 2 Wisconsin Pisetsky 25-yard field goal Ohio St 17-6 3 Wisconsin Dayne 3-yard run (two-point conversion failed) Ohio St 17-12 3 Wisconsin Dayne 11-yard run (two-point conversion failed) Wisconsin 18-17 4 Wisconsin Pisetsky 27-yard field goal Wisconsin 21-17 4 Wisconsin Dayne 1-yard run (Pisetsky kick) Wisconsin 28-17 4 Wisconsin Faulkner 1-yard run (Pisetsky kick) Wisconsin 35-17 4 Wisconsin Dayne 2-yard run (Pisetsky kick) Wisconsin 42-17 yes Personnel Roster 1999 Wisconsin Badgers y 81 So Mark Anelli TE y y 29 So Michael Bennett Michael Bennett (running back) RB y 24 Fr Erik Bickerstaff RB y y 5 Fr Brooks Bollinger QB y y 19 Fr David Braun WR y 17 Fr Demetrius Brown WR y 25 Sr Marcus Carpenter FB y 88 Jr Chris Chambers WR y 54 Jr Dave Costa Dave Costa (offensive lineman) G y y 39 So Carlos Daniels RB y 22 So Nick Davis Nick Davis (American football) WR y 33 Sr Ron Dayne RB y C 3 Fr Lee Evans WR Lee Evans (American football) y 4 Jr Eddie Faulkner RB y y 60 Jr Bill Ferrario G y y 76 Jr Josh Jakubowski G 72 Fr Al Johnson Al Johnson (guard) C y y 64 Fr Ben Johnson Ben Johnson (offensive tackle) T y y 56 Fr Jason Jowers G y 12 Sr Scott Kavanagh QB 57 Jr Philip Koch T y 41 So Chad Kuhns FB y 71 So Brian Lamont T y 75 Sr Chris McIntosh T y y C 1 Sr Ahmad Merritt WR y y 70 Jr Casey Rabach C y y 87 Jr Dague Retzlaff TE y 53 Sr Rob Roell C G y 85 Jr John Sigmund TE 19 Fr Jim Sorgi QB y 68 Sr Mark Tauscher T y y 38 Jr Matt Unertl RB y 9 So Conroy Whyte WR 6 So Joey Boese CB y y 77 So Wendell Bryant DE y 47 Fr P. J. Cannon LB y 31 So Carlease Clark S y 8 Jr Jason Doering S y y C 52 So Mark Downing LB y 36 So Mike Echols Mike Echols (American football) CB y y 96 Jr John Favret DE y 2 So Jamar Fletcher CB y y 16 Sr Chris Ghidorzi LB C 49 So Nick Greisen LB y 42 So Ben Herbert LB y 11 Fr Devery Hughes DB y 19 Jr Roger Knight Roger Knight (American football) LB y 78 Jr Ross Kolodziej DE y y 45 So Dan Lisowski LB y 98 Jr Eric Mahlik NT y 30 Jr Ryan Marks DB y 48 So Delante McGrew DE y 9 Jr Sam Mueller DE y 26 Sr Bobby Myers Bobby Myers (American football) S y y 15 Sr Tim Rosga S y 22 So Jason Schick DB y 93 So Chuck Smith DE y 99 So Jake Sprague DE 32 So Bryson Thompson LB 44 Sr Donnel Thompson LB y C 23 Fr B. J. Tucker CB y 20 Sr Vitaly Pisetsky K 86 Jr Mike Solwold LS y y 14 Jr Kevin Stemke P y *Barry Alvarez Brian White – Offensive coordinator/running backs Kevin Cosgrove – Defensive coordinator/linebackers Joe Baker – Outside linebackers/special teams Tim Davis – Tight ends Phil Elmassian – Defensive backs Jeff Horton – Quarterbacks Jim Hueber – Run game coordinator/offensive line Henry Mason – Wide receivers John Palermo – Assistant head coach/defensive line Bernie Wyatt – Director of football operations 1999 Wisconsin Roster UWBadgers.com September 3, 2025 https://uwbadgers.com/documents/2019/8/15/1999_Football_Roster_001.pdf(players only roster)Wisconsin football guide 1999 University of Wisconsin Library September 3, 2025 https://search.library.wisc.edu/digital/A6MBZBEQNW7QEI8R/pages/ABV6NGHPSTRKBF9D?view=one(coaches) Regular starters PositionPlayerQuarterbackBrooks BollingerRunning backRon DayneFullbackChad KuhnsWide receiverChris ChambersWide receiverNick DavisTight endDague RetzlaffLeft tackleChris McIntoshLeft guardBill FerrarioCenter Casey RabachRight guardDave CostaRight tackleMark Tauscher PositionPlayerDefensive endRoss KolodziejNose tackleEric MahlikDefensive endWendell BryantRush endJohn FavretOutside linebackerRoger KnightInside linebackerDonnel ThompsonOutside linebackerChris GhidorziCornerbackMike EcholsFree safetyJason DoeringStrong safetyBobby MyersCornerbackJamar Fletcher September 2025 Statistical accomplishments Team statistics For the 1999 season, inclusive of the Rose Bowl, the Badgers outscored opponents by a total of 409 to 153, averaging 34.08 points per game and allowing 12.83 points per game by opponents.1999 Wisconsin Football Cumulative Statistics UWBadgers.com September 2, 2025 https://uwbadgers.com/sports/football/stats/1999 They gained an average of 417.2 yards of total offense per game, consisting of 275.4 rushing yards and 141.75 passing yards. On defense, they allowed opponents to gain an average of 298.1 yards per game, consisting of 109.9 rushing yards and 188.17 passing yards per game. Ron Dayne Senior running back Ron Dayne gained 2,087 rushing yards on 337 carries for an average of 6.0 yards per carry. Dayne also led the team with 120 points scored on 20 touchdowns. Dayne rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his four years at Wisconsin; he was only the fifth player to accomplish that feat, following Tony Dorsett (1973-1976), Amos Lawrence (1977-1980), Denvis Manns (1995-1998), and Ricky Williams (1995-1998). On November 12, 1999, Dayne broke the NCAA Division I-A (now FBS) career rushing record of 6,279 yards set the prior season by Ricky Williams.Dayne Is No. 1: UW star breaks record; Badgers smell roses The Capital Times Joe Hart November 13, 1999 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-dayne-is-no-1-uw-sta/180370064/ Newspapers.com Dayne concluded his college career with 6,397 rushing yards (7,125 including bowl games).Ron Dayne Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 2, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ron-dayne-1.htmlhttp://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/maxwell/1999/bio_dayne.htm Maxwell Football Club - Ron Dayne 2008-12-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20080820075814/http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/content/awards/maxwell/1999/bio_dayne.htm 2008-08-20 dead (Dayne's career rushing record was surpassed in 2016 by Donnel Pumphrey.) Other individual statistical leaders Quarterback Brooks Bollinger completed 82 of 140 passes (58.57%) for 1,138 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 142.55 passer rating. He also tallied 454 rushing yards. Scott Kavanagh was the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season, completing 40 of 79 passes for 568 yards with a 116.85 passer rating. Wide receiver Chris Chambers led the team with 41 receptions for 578 yards and four touchdowns. Kicker Vitaly Pisetsky converted 46 of 48 extra-point kicks and 16 of 20 field goal attempts for a total of 94 points scored. The team's leaders on defense included defensive back Jamar Fletcher (seven interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns), linebacker Chris Ghidorzi (115 total tackles), defensive back Jason Doering (79 solo tackles), and defensive tackle Wendell Bryant (seven sacks). Wide receiver Nick Davis returned 16 kickoffs for 409 yards and two touchdowns, an average of 25.56 yards per return. He also returned 20 punts for 252 yards, an average of 12.6 yards per return. He was also the team's No. 2 receiver with 19 catches for 346 yards. Awards and honors Ron Dayne Senior running back Ron Dayne swept college football's major awards, including: Dayne won the Heisman Trophy, dominating the voting with 586 first-place selections. Second-place finisher Joe Hamilton received 96 first-place votes, and third-place finisher Michael Vick received 25 first-place votes.1999 Heisman Trophy Voting Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 2, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1999.htmlDayne reigns: UW tailback scores again with runaway Heisman win Wisconsin State Journal (Heisman Extra) Tom Mulhern December 12, 1999 1D, 6D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-dayne-reigns/180318622/ Newspapers.com He was the second Wisconsin player to win the award, joining Alan Ameche who won the award in 1954.Dayne joins Ameche The Capital Times December 13, 1999 1 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-dayne-joins-ameche/180318342/ Newspapers.com Dayne was a consensus pick on the 1950 All-America college football team,Football Award Winners National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 2016 October 21, 2017 8 http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2016/awards.pdf receiving first-team honors from the Associated Press (AP),Dayne, McIntosh honored The Capital Times December 14, 1999 1B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-dayne-mcintosh-honore/180344132/ Newspapers.com Burger King/American Football Coaches Association (AFCA),All-America Teams USA Today December 10, 1999 13 https://www.newspapers.com/article/usa-today-burger-king-coaches-all-ameica/180344694/ Football Writers Association of America (FWAA),Dayne, McIntosh lead way: Duo on two All-America teams, while Fletcher makes on squad Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern November 24, 1999 2B https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-dayne-mcintosh/180342791/ Newspapers.com The Sporting News (TSN), the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF), Pro Football Weekly (PFW), and Football News (FN). Dayne also won the Maxwell Award (best all-around player),Dayne claims 2 more awards Wisconsin State Journal Tom Mulhern December 10, 1999 1D https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-dayne-claims-2-m/180346508/ Newspapers.com the Chicago Tribune Silver Football (Big Ten most valuable player),The 1999 Silver Football Award: The reigh of Dayne Chicago Tribune December 8, 1999 1 (section 4) https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-the-1999-silver-football/180346119/ Newspapers.com the Doak Walker Award (top running back), the Walter Camp Award (college football player of the year),Dayne gains big honor as Camp player of year The Capital Times Todd Finkelmeyer November 30, 1999 3B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-dayne-gains-big-honor/180343568/ Newspapers.com the Chic Harley Award, the Jim Brown Award, AP College Football Player of the Year,Dayne take in more awards Wisconsin State Journal December 8, 1999 2C https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-dayne-take-in-mo/180342119/ Newspapers.com and The Sporting News College Football Player of the Year. Dayne was also selected as the most valuable player in the 2000 Rose Bowl. It was Dayne's second consecutive win as Rose Bowl MVP, having also won the award for the 1999 Rose Bowl. Dayne's achievements were selected by Wisconsin newspaper editors as the top sports story in Wisconsin for 1999. Dayne supplanted the Green Bay Packers who had won the recognition the prior three years.Dayne's season voted top story: Packers ousted from top spot The Capital Times Greg Beacham December 21, 1999 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-dayne/180316730/ Newspapers.com Others Offensive tackle Chris McIntosh, from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, was also a consensus pick on the 1999 All-America team, receiving first-team honors from the AFCA, AP, FWAA, TSN, WCFF, PFW, FN, and CNNSI. McIntosh was also one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy and set a Wisconsin record with 49 consecutive games started. Cornerback Jamar Fletcher, from St. Louis, received first-team All-America honors from TSN, PFW, FN, and CNNSI. Seven Wisconsin players received first-team honors on the 1999 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Dayne (Coaches-1, Media-1); McIntosh (Coaches-1, Media-1); Fletcher (Coaches-1, Media-1); Center Casey Rabach (Coaches-2, Media-1); Offensive guard Bill Ferrario (Coaches-1, Media-1); Defensive lineman Wendell Bryant (Coaches-1, Media-2); and Kicker Vitaly Pisetsky (Coaches-1, Media-1). Dayne, Bollinger get Big Ten honors The Capital Times December 1, 1999 1B, 5B https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-dayne-bollinger-get-b/180316579/ Newspapers.com Quarterback Brooks Bollinger was selected by the Big Ten coaches and media as the Big Ten freshman of the year. NFL drafts Four Wisconsin players were selected in the 2000 NFL draft: Wisconsin Badgers Player Position Round Pick NFL club Ron Dayne Running back 1 11 New York Giants Chris McIntosh Offensive tackle 1 22 Seattle Seahawks Bobby Myers Defensive back 4 124 Tennessee Titans Mark Tauscher Guard 7 224 Green Bay Packers https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2000.htm 2000 NFL Draft Pro-Football-Reference.com 2018-03-28 2007-12-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20071221203147/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2000.htm dead Eight others were selected in the 2001 NFL draft: Wisconsin Badgers Player Position Round Pick NFL club Jamar Fletcher Cornerback 1 26 Miami Dolphins Michael Bennett Running back 1 27 Minnesota Vikings Chris Chambers Wide receiver 2 52 Miami Dolphins Casey Rabach Center 3 92 Baltimore Ravens Bill Ferrario Guard 4 105 Green Bay Packers Roger Knight Linebacker 6 182 Pittsburgh Steelers Jason Doering Defensive back 6 193 Indianapolis Colts Ross Kolodziej Defensive end 7 230 New York Giants https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2001.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221030113/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2001.htm 2007-12-21 2001 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com Pro-Football-Reference.com Also, defensive tackle Wendell Bryant was selected in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft, the fifth player from the 1999 Wisconsin team to be drafted in the first round. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2002.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20071221030119/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2002.htm 2007-12-21 2002 NFL Draft Listing - Pro-Football-Reference.com References Wisconsin Category:Wisconsin Badgers football seasons Category:Big Ten Conference football champion seasons Category:Rose Bowl champion seasons Wisconsin Badgers football