Joseph accounts for four touchdowns as Wisconsin beats Michigan State 31–3

Colton Joseph threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth score as Wisconsin beat Michigan State 31–3 on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers took a 14–0 first-quarter lead, allowed only a field goal just before halftime and shut out the Spartans over the final two quarters.

Joseph’s afternoon combined early touchdown throws with two long second-half scoring plays. He completed nine of 20 passes for 145 yards without an interception and ran for 141 yards on 13 carries. Wisconsin finished with 373 total yards, while its defense limited Michigan State to 235.

Harris catches the early touchdowns

Jacob Harris caught both of Joseph’s first-quarter touchdown passes. The first covered 20 yards and put Wisconsin ahead with 8:16 left in the period. The second came from 15 yards out with just over a minute remaining, sending the Badgers into the second quarter ahead 14–0.

A 30-yard field goal by Gavin Lahm extended the margin to 17 points. Michigan State finally scored on Liam Boyd’s 31-yard field goal with nine seconds left before halftime. That made it 17–3, but the Spartans never added to those three points.

Harris finished with two catches for 35 yards, turning both receptions into touchdowns. The early scoring meant Wisconsin could play the second half with a two-touchdown lead even after Michigan State’s late field goal.

Joseph creates the second-half separation

Joseph’s 47-yard touchdown run in the third quarter stretched Wisconsin’s lead to 24–3. He later connected with Malachi Coleman for a 46-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, completing the scoring and removing any remaining chance of a Michigan State comeback.

Big Ten Football’s official October 3 video identifies Coleman’s touchdown against Michigan State. The scoring play is also recorded in the final ESPN sequence.

Darrion Dupree supplied 61 rushing yards on 19 carries. Wisconsin finished with 228 rushing yards, giving Joseph’s passing touchdowns support from a running game that continued to move the ball. The Badgers converted eight of 16 third downs and both fourth-down attempts.

Fourth-down stops keep Michigan State out

Michigan State converted only one of six fourth-down attempts. It also managed five conversions in 18 third-down tries, leaving several possessions without the extra play needed to continue. The Spartans held the ball longer than Wisconsin and had more first downs, but those advantages did not translate into touchdowns.

Alessio Milivojevic completed 15 of 32 passes for 103 yards. Jaziun Patterson led Michigan State’s runners with 62 yards on 18 carries, and Marvis Parrish added 36 yards. The Spartans finished with 127 rushing yards and 108 passing yards.

Neither team committed a turnover, so Wisconsin’s scoring advantage came through its offensive finishes and defensive stops rather than a takeaway margin. The Badgers’ official game center records them at 4–1 after the win, with Michigan State dropping to 2–3.