Wisconsin Badgers fans furious at Luke Fickell for not using timeouts late vs Michigan

After the game, Luke Fickell explained that he was going to use the timeouts if the Wisconsin Badgers' defense had made a stop. The fan base was not happy with the clock management of the coach on the hot seat.

Oct 4, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell on the sideline in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

For as much progress as the Wisconsin Badgers showed in their 24-10 loss to the Michigan Wolverines, head coach Luke Fickell didn't earn much love back from a frustrated fan base.

The game started to get away from Wisconsin in the second half, but the last straw for Badgers fans was the clock management at the end of the game.

UW hit a field goal to make it a two score game late in the fourth quarter.

Michigan got the ball back with two minutes and 42 seconds left on the clock, and Fickell had three timeouts left to stop the clock and try to get the ball back for his offense.

He declined to use them.

Related: Studs and duds from Wisconsin Badgers 24-10 loss to Michigan Wolverines

Wisconsin fans were irate on social media, some accusing him of quitting and not giving his team a chance to win.

Baffling decision

Does anyone on the Wisconsin sidelines realize that the three timeouts don't carry over to the Iowa game? Fox analyst Joel Klatt was completely baffled by Luke Fickell's decision-making at the end of the game.

— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) October 4, 2025

Seat getting hotter

If I’m a Wisconsin fan I’d be calling for Fickell to be fired on the spot. He’s conceding by not calling a single timeout down two scores with 2:36 to go.

Michigan might as well run up the score.

— Nelson Hubbell (@Nellybbll) October 4, 2025

"Quit"?

Luke Fickell just straight up quit on his team 😂

Didn’t use a single timeout on Michigan’s final drive all while being down 14??

— Chris (@IAmChrisAhearn) October 4, 2025

"Embarrassing"

Luke Fickell is embarrassing. No dog in him

How do you not use a single timeout in the 2nd half?

— Austin 🦆 (@deviousduck_) October 4, 2025

"Disgrace"

Fickell should be fired for not even using a timeout to try to get the ball back. What a disgrace.

— Kyle O (@badgersports45) October 4, 2025

"Unacceptable and unforgivable"

Just completely giving up. Like end of first half. Thats unacceptable and unforgivable. Fight is what matters. Just surrendering. Fireable

— Inside Wisconsin (@InsideWisconsin) October 4, 2025

Betting angle

Pretty interesting game management at the end of Michigan-Wisconsin for a game with a 16.5 point closing line!

— nick wright (@getnickwright) October 4, 2025

Investigate this Wisconsin coach. You don’t just give up and not use a timeout unless you had money on Wisconsin spread or the under. Unbelievable how that last 3 mins played out

— Alberto (@Alberto207018) October 4, 2025

In his postgame press conference, Fickell explained that he was going to use the timeouts if his defense had made a stop.

"Yeah, if we had got the stop, it was gonna be the timeouts," Fickell said. "We get them to third down in a situation where, maybe they have to throw the football to keep the ball, then we’re gonna call the timeouts. And then we’re gonna give our offense shots with timeouts, as opposed to putting ourselves in a situation where you call them, and then they can’t stop them."

A loss to Michigan was never going to cool down Fickell's hot seat, but the final moments of the game will be seared into the minds of Badgers fans for a full week before Wisconsin takes the field again against Iowa next Saturday.

More Wisconsin Badgers News:

• Wisconsin Badgers defense benefitting from secret weapon making life hard for opposing offenses

• Wisconsin in-state recruiting target rises to Top 5 in the country for Class of 2027

• Wisconsin Badgers reportedly pursuing speedy Virginia Tech WR in transfer portal

• Wisconsin Badgers starting tight end getting closer to return from injury