Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell clarified comments about quarterback Billy Edwards’ injury, stating he does not question the player’s toughness.

• Fickell addressed fan criticism after a loss to Iowa, asking for continued support for the players in the locker room.

• The Badgers are preparing to face No. 1 Ohio State, which will be the third time Fickell has coached against his alma mater.

• The starting quarterback remains undecided if Billy Edwards is unable to play due to his knee injury.

MADISON – Two days after Wisconsin’s first shutout loss to Iowa in 29 years, Badgers coach Luke Fickell held his weekly press conference in the basement of the McClain Center practice facility Monday, Oct. 13.

The coach shared his thoughts on facing No. 1 Ohio State on Oct. 18, his worthiness to be the UW head coach given the team’s struggles and the status of quarterback Billy Edwards.

And since many of you are wondering, if Edwards can’t play, Fickell said no decision had been made about who would start at quarterback.

“I can’t answer that just at this point in time,” he said.

Here are three highlights.

Fickell is staying patient during QB Billy Edwards’ recovery

The late finish to the game Saturday meant that the team did less work than usual on Sunday.

As a result, Fickell said he knew even less about the status of the team’s injured players than he does typically.

The list of wounded included Edwards (sprained knee), safety Preston Zachman (lower body), running back Darrion Dupree (lower body), receiver Trech Kekahuna (upper body) and cornerback D’Yoni Hill (not announced).

Fickell did, however, want to clarify his thoughts on the recovery of Edwards, who has played only 34 snaps this season due to a sprained left knee.

A comment Fickell made after the game about Edwards may have been interpreted as questioning the signal caller’s toughness.

“I don’t have any questions on Billy of any sorts (on) anything like that,” he said. “I was not trying to make any point like that.”

Edwards suffered the non-contact injury during the second quarter of the season opener versus Miami (Ohio).

He returned for the Maryland game Sept. 20 but lasted only six snaps before pulling himself out of the game.

Fickell previously admitted to having second thoughts about allowing Edwards to play that day.

Monday, the coach said Edwards’ play that day set his recovery back “a little bit”

“We want Billy to be 100% or as close to 100% in order to be able to protect himself and at some point in time that’s going to fall on the shoulders of him as well,” Fickell said.

“We don’t question anything about that. We would love to have him out there.”

Fickell addresses fans who question his ability to succeed at UW

The heat under Fickell’s coaching seat remains warm following the Iowa loss.

He was asked how he would address those who doubt his ability to get the job done.

 “I don’t know that that’s my position,” he said.

Instead he said he is focused on his players and focusing on each game.

“They can be mad at me. They can be down on me, that’s perfectly fine,” he said.

“But don’t be down on those guys in that locker room. Those guys that wear the W, the guys that go out there.

They can scream and holler if they don’t make a play that they want them to make, but they’ve got to be able to support them.

“I think that’s the most important thing is recognizing what are you really supporting and what do you really love.”

Fickell will face his alma mater for third time

This game will mark the third time Fickell has faced his alma mater.

During his first season at UW the Badgers lost, 24-10, at Camp Randall to the third-ranked Buckeyes. In 2019 when Fickell was Cincinnati, the Buckeyes defeated the Bearcats, 42-0, in Columbus.

“It’s like playing your big brother in some ways,” he said.

“Deep down inside, that’s something burning that can be a little bit different, but to be honest with you in where we are and what we’re doing, it’s hard to overshadow every single day of us finding ways to get better.

“We know the task that’s going to be in front of us on Saturday.

We have to be prepared for that. I have to be prepared for that, but I think in the midst of where we are.

It allows me not to focus on some of those things, whether you’ve had history there or how long you spent there or maybe even some of the (21:17) relationships you have there.”