Special Teams Turned Badger Weapon

When the Badgers rolled into the 2026 campaign after a dismal 4‑8 season, the chatter in Madison was all about the offense and the pass rush. Nobody really expected the special‑teams unit to steal the spotlight.

Enter Gavin Lahm. The five‑year senior had spent his college career dutifully handling kick‑offs, never once trying a field goal or an extra point in a game. It was the very absence of any collegiate attempts that gave the coaching staff a nervous tick.

Fast forward two weeks, and Lahm has already converted all five of his field‑goal tries – including a 49‑yard bomb and a 50‑yard clutch against Western Illinois. He’s also produced seven touch‑backs on twelve kick‑offs. “Gavin is a weapon, and he had a great night,” head coach Luke Fickell said after the second week, noting Lahm’s patience and smooth swing.

He did miss an extra point, but the blame didn’t land on the kicker. Fickell pointed out a bad snap and a faulty operation on the play – a reminder that even the best‑run units can stumble on the little things.

It isn’t just Lahm making noise. Punter Sean West has been a revelation, too. In the season‑opener against Notre Dame he launched a 70‑yard punt that left the Irish pin‑ched at the one‑yard line – arguably one of the most beautiful kicks you’ll ever see.

Special‑teams aggression is evident in other ways as well. The Badgers have already blocked two punts, one of which they recovered for a six‑point swing against the Leathernecks. Those game‑changing plays have shifted momentum more than once.

The biggest catalyst? A full‑time special‑teams coach, Bob Ligashesky. After stints at Minnesota and a dozen other college and NFL programs, Ligashesky arrived in Madison with a clear mission: turn inexperience into consistency.

“He’s done a great job with our specialists,” Fickell praised. “Gavin’s become reliable, and Sean’s consistency has taken a leap forward thanks to Coach Lig.” The numbers back that up – both men are more accurate, more confident, and undeniably a new weapon for Wisconsin.

So, while the Badgers still wrestle with line play and edge pressure, the special‑teams unit has already proven it can win games on its own. In a sport where every three points matter, having a kicker who can nail a 50‑yard field goal and a punter who can pin opponents inside their own five is a luxury you can’t ignore.