1966 Wisconsin Badgers football team

1966 Wisconsin Badgers football
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record3–6–1 (2–4–1 Big Ten)
Head coach
MVPBob Richter
Captains
  • Tony Loukas
  • Bob Richter
Home stadiumCamp Randall Stadium
1966 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 2 Michigan State $ 7 0 0 9 0 1
No. 7 Purdue 6 1 0 9 2 0
Michigan 4 3 0 6 4 0
Illinois 4 3 0 4 6 0
Minnesota 3 3 1 4 5 1
Ohio State 3 4 0 4 5 0
Northwestern 2 4 1 3 6 1
2 4 1 3 6 1
Indiana 1 5 1 1 8 1
Iowa 1 6 0 2 8 0
  • $ – Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1966 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 1966 Big Ten season. In their 11th and final year under head coach Milt Bruhn, the Badgers compiled a 3–6–1 record (2–4–1 in conference games), tied for seventh place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 212 to 87.[1][2]

The Badgers gained an average of 136.6 passing yards and 105.5 rushing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 119.9 passing yards and 178.7 rushing yards per game.[3] The team's individual statistical leaders included: quarterback John Boyajian (863 passing yards); running back Wayne Todd (480 rushing yards); and wide receiver Tom McCauley (46 receptions for 689 yards).[3]

Linebacker Bob Richter was selected as the team's most valuable player.[4] Richter and Tony Loukas were the team captains.[5] Two Wisconsin players received first- or second-team honors on the 1966 All-Big Ten Conference football team: Richter at linebacker (AP-1, UPI-2); and Tom Schinke at defensive back (AP-2).[6][7][8]

The Badgers played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Schedule

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 17Iowa State*W 20–1051,051
September 24at No. 5 USC*L 3–3852,235
October 1at IowaW 7–052,787
October 8No. 7 Nebraska*
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI (rivalry)
L 3–3152,428
October 15Northwestern
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
T 3–353,163
October 22at Ohio StateL 13–2484,256
October 29Michigan
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
L 17–2851,816[9]
November 5Purdue
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI
L 0–2356,475
November 12at IllinoisL 14–4953,645
November 19Minnesota
  • Camp Randall Stadium
  • Madison, WI (rivalry)
W 7–645,373
  • *Non-conference game
  • Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game

Team players in the 1967 NFL/AFL draft

Player Position Round Pick NFL club
Bill Gardner Tight end 17 444 Green Bay Packers

[10]

References

  1. ^ "1966 Wisconsin Badgers Schedule and Results". SR/College Footbal. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  2. ^ "Wisconsin Football 2020 Fact Book". University of Wisconsin. p. 184. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "1966 Wisconsin Badgers Stats". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  4. ^ Wisconsin Football 2020 Fact Book, p. 140.
  5. ^ Wisconsin Football 2020 Fact Book, p. 145.
  6. ^ "Spartans Put Eight On All-Big Ten". Sarasota Herald-Tribune (AP story). November 24, 1966. p. 29.
  7. ^ "MSU Dominates All-Big Ten Team". The Pantagraph. November 23, 1966. p. 13.
  8. ^ "Eight Spartans, Six From Michigan All Big Ten". The Holland, Michigan Evening Sentinel. November 23, 1966. p. 17.
  9. ^ Jack Saylor (October 30, 1966). "U-M Masters Badgers, 28–17". Detroit Free Press. pp. 1C, 7C – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "1967 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved May 22, 2015.