Wisconsin answers Notre Dame loss with 36-9 Western Illinois win

Wisconsin responded to the Notre Dame rout with a 36-9 victory over Western Illinois on Sept. 12, producing 233 rushing yards and improved special-teams execution. Abu Sama III led the ground game with 107 yards and a 72-yard touchdown, but Eastern Michigan—coming off a 35-7 loss to Michigan State—will determine whether the correction carries beyond the FCS level.