This Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Western Michigan Broncos 28-14 in their season opener on Friday night. Despite a two-touchdown lead, it was far from a comfortable victory for Wisconsin. At one point, the Badgers found themselves down 14-13 in the second half because of a stagnant offense that still seems to be having trouble finding its identity under coach Luke Fickell.
Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin football’s 28-14 win over Western Michigan
At the end of the day, though, a win is a win, and starting the season 1-0 is a significant first step for a team with Bowl Game aspirations (Wisconsin has been to the Bowl Game in each of the last 22 seasons).
Sure, there were performances the Badgers should be proud of, but there were also some that they need to work on and improve on if they want to have a successful season.
3 stars for Wisconsin Badgers in game against Western Michigan
Wisconsin’s win over Western Michigan was a textbook team victory, with every phase of play playing a large role in the victory. Some players who played well or made significant contributions that won’t be reflected in the scoreboard were punter Atticus Bertrams and cornerback Ricardo Hallman.
Bertrams’ punt, which bounced off a Broncos player, was intercepted by the Badgers to set them up in a brief field, and the offense was able to capitalize on it for a touchdown.
Hallman’s name won’t appear on the scoreboard if any of his tackles or passes are defended, but that’s because he executed his duties so well that the ball was never thrown his way.
Other “star” appearances in this game include:
1. Runner Tawee Walker
Tawee Walker is playing his final season at Wisconsin after spending his freshman year at Palomar and his sophomore and junior years at Oklahoma.
In his first game with the Badgers, Walker rushed 15 times for 66 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 11 yards for a total of 77 yards on the night.
His touchdown required an 11-yard run, required on second and third down, as he dragged defenders and weaved through others to reach the end zone.
His goal, scored with 10:35 left in the fourth quarter, allowed Wisconsin to regain the lead.
2. Runner at the back of Chez Mellusi
Chez Mellusi is entering his sixth season of college football and fourth at Wisconsin, returning after a 2023 season that was cut brief by a devastating fractured fibula.
Following the departure of Braelon Allen, who now plays for the New York Jets in the NFL, Mellusi took over as quarterback for the Badgers.
He had 19 carries for 74 yards and a touchdown and one reception for three yards. Like Walker, he had 77 total yards on the night.
3. Cornerback Xavier Lucas
If Badgers fans weren’t familiar with Xavier Lucas’ name before the win over Western Michigan, it’s because he’s a rookie linebacker playing in his first NCAA football game.
He made a great first impression, sealing the win with a last-minute interception and impressive footwork down the touchline to keep the ball:
Xavier Lucas with the pick that seals the victory @BadgerFootball 😱#B1GFootball ON @FS1 📺 photo:twitter.com/AAN0nTCHUt
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) August 31, 2024
Lucas finished the game with two tackles and an interception.
3 duds for Wisconsin Badgers against Western Michigan
Despite the solid performances listed above, there were a few players who left a lot to be desired. This is especially disappointing after all the hype surrounding them before the season. Of course, it’s still early days, but Badgers fans weren’t content with the initial impressions of the following players for 2024:
1. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke
Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke spent his first four seasons of college football with the Miami Hurricanes before transferring to Wisconsin this spring. He won the starter’s job, beating out four other quarterbacks, including Mabrey Mettauer.
Van Dyke was unimpressive in his first start for the Badgers, completing 21 of 36 passes for 192 yards. He rushed for a touchdown delayed in the fourth but also fumbled the ball, giving Western Michigan a brief field.
2. Defensive line
Wisconsin’s front office couldn’t get much pressure on the quarterback until delayed in the game. They also allowed Western Michigan running back Jalen Buckley to score two points.
3. Training
For the second consecutive season, Badgers fans were promised electrifying football in every aspect of the game. For the second consecutive season, they are disappointed with what they have seen.
It’s early again and the team will be [hopefully] improve and come together as the season progressed. But the coaches seemed to be just getting started. They didn’t prepare their special teams for an obvious bogus punt that ended in a large Broncos gain. Fickell also made some destitute clock management decisions that disappointed many fans.
There are certainly a lot of things they need to sort out before next week’s game against South Dakota. After that game, they face Alabama and USC in the following weeks.
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