Wisconsin football head coach Luke Fickell addressed the media following the Badgers’ 27-10 home loss to the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday.
Despite entering the contest as a heavy favorite, Wisconsin never came close to containing the Terrapins. After a game during which UW trailed by as many as 24 points, the Badgers’ leader on the sidelines didn’t mince many words when taking the podium.
“That’s a really difficult one,” Fickell said. “We did not play well today, and I’m the first one to start with that. [We] can’t get a punt blocked and expect that you’re going to be able to create and generate momentum you need to. It kinda starts right there. We didn’t do a good enough job on any phase of the game… They came out ready to play. Outside of the first drive and first series, we did not.”
Starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. did open the game under center, but he attempted only three passes before heading toward the sidelines with a slight limp. In his place, backup quarterback Danny O’Neil completed 14 of 22 tosses for 120 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.
Maryland freshman quarterback Malik Washington, meanwhile, tallied 18 completions for 265 yards and two passing scores to captain the Terrapins to the 17-point win. He punctuated his performance with a 62-yard bomb to Shaleak Knotts in the fourth quarter, a score which essentially sealed the triumph.
Throughout the contest, fans throughout the stadium kick-started “Fire Fickell” chants to voice their displeasure with the output. The former Cincinnati Bearcats head coach acknowledged the stadium noise afterward.
“I feel what their pain is,” Fickell said. “There’s nothing we can do but keep grinding. I don’t get upset, I don’t lose my mind about what they feel. They’re passionate. That’s why you sign up for this place.”
UW will now look to regroup for an Oct. 4 tilt against the No. 21 Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell comments after Maryland loss
