Eric Boggs 
Wisconsin wins their season opening game against a spunky Western Michigan.
In their season opener at Camp Randall Stadium, the Wisconsin Badgers found themselves in a tough battle against Western Michigan. Despite entering as heavy favorites, the Badgers faced a resilient Broncos team that refused to go down quietly.
Wisconsin started strong, moving the ball effectively with long, methodical drives. However, they struggled to create explosive plays, and a missed 37-yard field goal on a 16-play drive added to their frustrations. The Badgers eventually broke through with a 9-yard touchdown run by Chez Mellusi, capping a 93-yard drive that gave them a slim lead. Still, Western Michigan responded by tying the game with a 1-yard touchdown run from Jalen Buckley, who would be a thorn in Wisconsin’s side all night.
As the fourth quarter began, the Badgers found themselves trailing 14-13 after another Buckley touchdown. The momentum seemed to be shifting in Western Michigan’s favor, especially after they forced Wisconsin to punt for the first time all night. But then, the game turned on a dime.
Atticus Bertrams’ punt took an unexpected bounce and hit Western Michigan’s DaShon Bussell, who was trying to avoid the ball. Wisconsin’s Austin Brown quickly pounced on the loose ball at the Broncos’ 20-yard line. Seizing the opportunity, Tawee Walker, a transfer from Oklahoma, powered through multiple defenders for a 6-yard touchdown run, putting the Badgers back on top with just over 10 minutes remaining. A successful two-point conversion pass from Tyler Van Dyke to Trech Kekahuna extended the lead to 21-14.
The Badgers’ defense then stepped up when it mattered most. Aaron Witt and Nyzier Fourqurean stopped Buckley on a crucial fourth-and-1 from midfield, halting Western Michigan’s next drive. Wisconsin capitalized on the defensive stand with an eight-play, 50-yard drive, which Van Dyke capped with a 6-yard touchdown run, sealing the 28-14 victory.
Despite a few tense moments, Wisconsin showed resilience in overcoming their mistakes and finishing strong. Van Dyke, making his debut as Wisconsin’s quarterback after transferring from Miami, completed 21 of 36 passes for 192 yards and managed the game well, despite losing a fumble that had led to a Western Michigan touchdown.
For Western Michigan, the game was a sign of progress, as they went toe-to-toe with a Big Ten team despite being undermanned due to injuries. The Broncos executed a gutsy fake field goal that set up one of Buckley’s touchdowns, showcasing their willingness to take risks.
In the end, it was a challenging but ultimately successful night for Wisconsin. They found a way to win, relying on a crucial turnover and a resilient defense to pull away late. As the Badgers look ahead to their next game against South Dakota, they’ll need to continue refining their play, but they can take pride in their hard-fought victory to start the season.
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