One of Wisconsin Football's Biggest Question Marks Is Now a Weapon for the Badgers

When the Badgers rolled into the 2026 season, everyone was talking about the revamped offensive line and the hoped‑for pass rush from the outside linebackers. Few people were whispering about special teams – until the first two weeks forced a change of heart.

Enter Gavin Lahm, a fifth‑year senior who, absurdly, had never tried a collegiate field goal or extra point before the opening game against Notre Dame. He’d spent his time as a kickoff man, never really testing the uprights. That inexperience made me uneasy, but the surprise was how quickly he silenced the doubts.

In the first two games Lahm nailed every single field‑goal attempt – a 49‑yard and a 50‑yard strike against Western Illinois, plus a flawless series of kickoffs, seven of which went for touchbacks. Coach Luke Fickell praised him, noting, “He didn’t rush, he kept the swing smooth. That’s why it worked.” Even the one missed extra point got a quick pass‑off; the snap, not the kicker, was blamed.

He’s not alone. Punter Sean West unleashed a 70‑yard bomb that pinned Notre Dame at their own one‑yard line, one of those rare punts you replay in your head. The Badgers also blocked two punts in the opening pair, turning one into a six‑yard gain against the Leathernecks. Those are the kinds of swings that can rewrite a game’s narrative.

What sparked this transformation? A full‑time special teams coordinator, Bob Ligashesky. After two seasons at Minnesota and a résumé that reads like a tour of NFL and college staffs, Ligashesky took the reins and immediately focused on consistency. Fickell lauded him, saying Lahm’s steadiness and West’s development are direct results of Ligashesky’s coaching.

In short, what was once a glaring question mark has become a legitimate weapon for Wisconsin. The Badgers now have a special‑teams unit that can swing momentum, score points, and, perhaps most importantly, give the rest of the squad something to rely on.