By GRANT TRAYLOR

Associate Athletic Director of Strategic Communications

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. –Marshall Athletics announced on Thursday that Marshall Football has signed a one-game deal with Wisconsin for the 2028 season.

The contest between the Thundering Herd and Badgers would be played on September 2, 2028, and would serve as the season-opener for both teams.

“We are thrilled to make the trip to Madison with the Thundering Herd in 2028,” said Christian Spears, Marshall’s Director of Athletics. “These games are awesome experiences for our fans and for our team. As always, we are looking to create some momentum and buzz heading into our SBC season, so we are really excited for this one.”

The contest will match the Herd against Wisconsin for the second time in their history together.

The game will take place during the week of the 20-year anniversary since the teams last met.

In the lone previous meeting between the teams on Sept. 6, 2008, Marshall jumped out to a 14-point lead early in the second quarter before the nationally-ranked Badgers proved too much for the Herd.

The addition of Wisconsin tentatively gives Marshall three of its four non-conference opponents for the 2028 season.

Marshall also hosts Ohio in the Battle for the Bell on Sept. 9 during that season while also having a contest against Central Connecticut currently booked for a date to be determined later.

Adding the Wisconsin matchup to the 2028 schedule means that Marshall will travel to take on three Big Ten opponents in a five-season stretch.

That stretch starts with this year’s trip to Ohio State, which will take place on Sept. 21, 2024. Marshall will also travel to Penn State on Sept. 5, 2026.