Cooper Catalano, Wisconsin Football News: Draft Scout Player News

Draft Scout College Football Player News

11/08/25 - ILB Cooper Catalano, Fr/2029, Wisconsin, (DS#9 ILB)

Two days after the announcement that he'd be returning as Wisconsin's coach next season, Luke Fickell got an even bigger vote of confidence from his players. Particularly from the guys on defense. Nathanial Vakos made a tiebreaking 32-yard field goal late in the third quarter and Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano led a dominant defensive effort as Wisconsin snapped a six-game skid by upsetting No. 24 Washington 13-10 on Saturday. "The whole locker room has been behind Coach Fick since day one," said Catalano, who had 19 tackles. "Hearing that obviously reaffirmed us." The Badgers (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) had lost 11 straight games against Power Four opponents before winning this one as a 10½-point underdog, according to Sportsbook.

Wisconsin's victory came after athletic director Chris McIntosh announced Thursday that Fickell would remain the Badgers' coach beyond this season. "I have an incredible appreciation and respect for Chris McIntosh, what he has had to do," Fickell said. "There's mixed emotions on my part, to be honest with you. I don't ever want somebody to fight my battles, but I understand that that's where we are. I can't say thank you enough to Chris for fighting the battle he's fighting, and for Chancellor (Jennifer) Mnookin to listen and believe." The Badgers withstood an injury to quarterback Danny O'Neil, who was making his first start since Sept. 13 and got carted off the field with an apparent leg injury in the first quarter. Freshman Carter Smith took over for Wisconsin and went 3 of 12 passing for 8 yards in his college debut, though he rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown. Half of Wisconsin's 48 yards passing came from punter Sean West, who threw a 24-yard completion on a successful fake. Wisconsin's defense pushed Washington (6-3, 3-3, No. 23 College Football Playoff) around all day. Washington's only touchdown came on Denzel Boston's one-handed grab of a Demond Williams Jr. pass after Anthony Ward's blocked punt gave the Huskies first-and-goal from the 1. - AP College Football

(DS#9 ILB) Fr/2029