MADISON, Wis. — Luke Fickell’s second season at Wisconsin was initially going to center around the progress the team would make following a 7-6 start to his tenure. Evaluating that progress was made more complex with a schedule that included five preseason Associated Press top-25 teams. Despite these challenges, there was a sense of optimism regarding the direction the Badgers were heading.
The Badgers achieved a 28-14 victory over Western Michigan in their season opener on Friday night at Camp Randall Stadium, but it was far from straightforward. Wisconsin entered the game as 24-point favorites and found themselves down by a point with just 45 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Here are three key observations from the Badgers’ performance:
1. A significant point of interest for Wisconsin this season was the improvement of their offense, which had its lowest scoring average in 19 years last season. The results from Friday were mixed. On one side, Wisconsin’s first four drives totaled 16 plays each for the first two drives and 14 plays for the next two. For comparison, Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator Phil Longo saw only three drives of 14 or more plays throughout the entire last season. However, the Badgers struggled to capitalize in the red zone, notching just one touchdown from those four drives.
A pivotal moment occurred in the fourth quarter when Wisconsin was able to take the lead for the first time after a fortuitous play. A punt by Badgers’ punter Atticus Bertrams struck Western Michigan’s DaShon Bussell, allowing Austin Brown to recover it at the Broncos’ 20-yard line. Running back Tawee Walker then scored the go-ahead touchdown by pushing through safety Tate Hallock on his way to the end zone.
Tyler Van Dyke, a transfer quarterback from Miami, had an inconsistent debut for Wisconsin. He lost a fumble that contributed to Western Michigan’s go-ahead touchdown in the second half and faced several near interceptions. On a positive note, he successfully connected with slot receiver Trech Kekahuna for a 2-point conversion and ran for the game’s final touchdown. He completed 21 of 36 passes, totaling 192 yards without any touchdowns or interceptions. Improvement will be necessary ahead of their upcoming home game against Alabama in two weeks.
2. Wisconsin’s defense did not disrupt Western Michigan’s offense as much as anticipated. The Badgers did not register a sack until the final two minutes of the game. However, the defense stepped up notably when it mattered most, stopping Jalen Buckley — who had scored two touchdowns — on a crucial fourth-and-1 at midfield with just under eight minutes left in the game, regaining possession for Wisconsin with a one-touchdown lead.
Overall, Wisconsin’s defense delivered a solid performance, though it was not standout. The Broncos managed a lengthy 16-play drive in the second quarter that tied the score at 7-7, and their second touchdown came from a successful fake field goal play where holder Ryan Millmore flipped the ball to kicker Palmer Domschke, who advanced 26 yards to the Badgers’ 4-yard line. Buckley later ran in for a 1-yard touchdown, giving Western Michigan a temporary lead.
Wisconsin faces uncertainties ahead, particularly on the defensive front with starter James Thompson Jr. likely out for the season due to an upper-body injury. A positive is the apparent versatility in the defense, which utilized various personnel and packages. True freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas made a critical interception to clinch the win with 1:47 remaining and looks poised to become a significant talent in the position.
3. The running back duo of Walker and Chez Mellusi showed promising potential. Both tailbacks displayed a strong running ability, each contributing touchdowns against Western Michigan. Walker, a transfer from Oklahoma, started the game, but the two shared a nearly equal workload. Mellusi carried the ball 19 times for 74 yards and a touchdown, while Walker rushed 15 times for 66 yards and a score. Wisconsin demonstrated its depth at the running back position by utilizing four players, including Cade Yacamelli and Jackson Acker.