The Bombers’ 2066 preseason campaign hit a stumbling block at Jackson Field Sunday, falling 31-12 to the Badgers in a game that underscored lingering areas needing attention before the regular season kicks off. Head Coach William McClure’s squad showed early promise but just couldn’t keep pace with a balanced and opportunistic Badgers team led by Coach Daniel Bayer.

Burlington started off on a relatively positive note. Robert Johnson’s 32-yard field goal in the first quarter gave the home crowd something to cheer about. Early momentum, however, was quickly halted on a critical turnover by QB Benjamin Massey, whose interception midway through the opening quarter set up a quick Badgers touchdown drive capped by George Alm’s 27-yard strike to Donald Contreras. This sequence opened the door for the Badgers, who maintained control for much of the game.

The Bombers’ offense, while showing flashes of efficiency, often stalled in key moments. Massey completed 26 of 41 passes for 262 yards but was limited to a single touchdown and was marred by the costly interception. The ground game, led by Daren Laflamme who amassed 33 rushing yards and added a rushing touchdown, tried to provide balance but ultimately couldn’t sustain drives or convert red zone opportunities, ending the game with zero touchdowns inside the 20-yard line despite multiple trips.

Defensively, Burlington faced challenges containing Badgers QBs Charles Holt and George Alm. Holt especially was sharp, throwing for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a pivotal third-quarter 25-yard touchdown pass to Oliver Stephens. Stephens was arguably the most dangerous Badgers offensive player with 108 receiving yards and two rushing touchdowns, exploiting matchups against the Bombers’ secondary. Meanwhile, the Bombers’ lone interception came courtesy of Harry Wright in the second quarter but lacked the necessary offensive support following the takeaway.

The special teams battle saw Robert Johnson’s reliable boot being the only consistent bright spot as he converted two field goals, helping keep the Bombers somewhat in the game early on. Yet a few costly penalties—four for 30 yards—also hindered sustained offensive momentum and allowed the Badgers to maintain advantageous field position.

From a big-picture perspective, this loss exposes some critical areas McClure and his staff need to address heading deeper into preseason. The Bombers' red zone struggles, inability to generate takeaways, and difficulty containing the Badgers’ versatile offensive weapons point toward necessary tactical and personnel evaluations. This week’s matchup served as a stark reminder that while the Bombers possess the foundational pieces to compete, the overall unit still needs polish and sharper execution.

Coach McClure will surely use this result as motivation. “We moved the ball at times, but turning the ball over at bad moments and failing to deliver in the red zone hurt us badly,” McClure remarked postgame. “Preseason is about learning and adjusting. We’ll get back to work and fix what we must.”

As preseason unfolds, the Bombers must rediscover their early-season momentum that had them optimistic following Week 1. Finding ways to protect the football and tighten defensive coverage will be essential if Burlington hopes to mature into a formidable squad when the regular season lights ignite. For now, however, the takeaway is clear: the work is far from done.