Wisconsin football opener instant takeaways: Badgers survive scare against Western Michigan

MADISON, Wis. — Luke Fickell’s second season at Wisconsin was going to be defined by what type of progress the program made after a 7-6 debut campaign under him. Measuring that progress, particularly against a schedule that featured five preseason AP top-25 teams, figured to be tricky. But there was at least cautious optimism the Badgers were moving in the right direction.

Was Wisconsin’s season-opening 28-14 escape act of a victory against Western Michigan on Friday night at Camp Randall Stadium part of that progress? It sure was hard to get all the way there considering the Badgers entered the game as 24-point favorites and trailed by a point 45 seconds into the fourth quarter.

But it was a win nonetheless. And it avoided a disastrous start to the season. Here are three initial takeaways from the Badgers’ performance:

1. One of the big storylines entering this season for Wisconsin was how much improvement the offense would demonstrate after scoring its fewest points per game in 19 years last season. The results Friday were a mixed bag.

On one hand, Wisconsin’s first four drives went for 16 plays, 16 plays, 14 plays and 14 plays. For context, Year 1 of offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s offense featured three 14-plus-play drives the entire season. On the other hand, Wisconsin struggled to convert in the red zone, securing just one touchdown on those four drives.

It took a lucky break for Wisconsin in the fourth quarter to take the lead for good. Wisconsin punter Atticus Bertrams’ punt hit Western Michigan’s DaShon Bussell downfield, which allowed the Badgers’ Austin Brown to recover at the Broncos’ 20-yard line. Badgers running back Tawee Walker produced the go-ahead touchdown run when he knocked over safety Tate Hallock on his way to the end zone.

Miami transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke’s debut at Wisconsin also was uneven. He lost a fumble that led to Western Michigan’s go-ahead touchdown in the second half and had a couple of passes that could have been intercepted. Van Dyke also threw a strike in the back of the end zone to slot receiver Trech Kekahuna to score a 2-point conversion and ran in the final touchdown of the game. He completed 21 of 36 passes for 192 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. There is more work to be done with a matchup at home against Alabama two weeks away.

2. Wisconsin’s defense wasn’t as disruptive in the opener as it had hoped to be. The Badgers didn’t record a sack until just over two minutes remained in the game. But the defense showed up when it mattered most, stuffing Western Michigan running back Jalen Buckley — who scored two touchdowns — on a fourth-and-1 at midfield with 7:54 remaining in the fourth quarter to give Wisconsin’s offense the ball back with a one-touchdown lead.

It was a solid though not spectacular performance overall. Western Michigan produced a 16-play drive in the second quarter to tie the score at 7-7. But the only other touchdown came after the Broncos produced the play of the day on special teams, converting on a fake field goal. Holder Ryan Millmore flipped the ball behind his head, and kicker Palmer Domschke picked up 26 yards rushing with a good block out in front down to the Badgers’ 4-yard line. Western Michigan took a 14-13 lead on Buckley’s 1-yard run.

Wisconsin still has questions it must answer, particularly up front, with starter James Thompson Jr. likely out for the season with an upper-body injury. The good news is that the defense appears to be more versatile and showcased a variety of packages and personnel groupings. True freshman cornerback Xavier Lucas intercepted a pass to secure the victory with 1:47 left and looks like a future star at the position.

3. There is a lot to like about the one-two combination of Walker and Chez Mellusi at running back. Both tailbacks run exceptionally hard, and both produced touchdowns against Western Michigan. Walker, an Oklahoma transfer, earned the start, but the two essentially split reps. Mellusi ran 19 times for 74 yards with a touchdown, and Walker carried 15 times for 66 yards with a score. Wisconsin showcased its depth at the position by playing four running backs, including Cade Yacamelli and Jackson Acker.

(Photo of Chez Mellusi: John Fisher / Getty Images)