Wisconsin football's big fourth quarter secures season-opening win (2024)

The University of Wisconsin football team opens Year 2 of the Luke Fickell era on the right foot.

The Badgers went 7-6 in Fickell's debut campaign and drew a Friday night time slot as they host Western Michigan at 8 p.m. Fickell joined the Badgers after a six-season campaign at Cincinnati that had a climax of a College Football Playoff berth in 2021, when it was a four-team event. But there's hope for the Badgers because Fickell went 4-8 in his first season with the Bearcats before back-to-back 11-win seasons.

He was brought to Wisconsin by athletic director Chris McIntosh, in part, to content for the CFP. The 2024 field will be the first to include 12 teams, and an 18-team Big Ten Conference could have two, three or four berths into the expanded field.

As the Badgers open the 2024 season against the Broncos, here are a few things to know, live game updates and more.

Xavier Lucas' sideline interception seals win

Xavier Lucas made a play along the sideline that will hold up on NFL Draft film for when that opportunity comes. He high-pointed a Hayden Wolff pass on the sideline and tapped both feet for Wisconsin's first interception of the season, and a positive turnover differential.

The Badgers then brought in backup quarterback Braedyn Locke and others to run out the clock.

Wisconsin 28, Western Michigan 14, FINAL

Wisconsin salts game away with short touchdown drive

The Badgers scored all three touchdowns on the ground with a 6-yard score from quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to give the Badgers a two-score lead late in the fourth quarter. It was quite the turnaround from his late third-quarter fumble that led to Wisconsin being put on upset alert as it trailed early in the fourth quarter.

But Van Dyke otherwise did a solid job. He completed 21 of 36 passes for 192 yards and a 103.1 QB rating. He rushed for 21 yards on eight totes and the touchdown. And Wisconsin was rather balanced offensively with 173 rushing yards to make up for 365 total.

But the red-zone efficiency must improve as going 2 for 3 on field goal attempts inside the 20 isn't sustainable with a loaded schedule coming (welcome Alabama in two weeks). Still, Van Dyke's score made it consecutive touchdown drives once the Badgers drove deep into Western Michigan territory, an encouraging sign moving forward.

Wisconsin 28, Western Michigan 14, 3:17 Q4

Wisconsin defense stuffs Western Michigan

Western Michigan faked the infamous tush push made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles and tried to run behind it, but Wisconsin's defensive front got the push and stuffed the fourth-and-1 attempt. A six-play, 25-yard drive was foiled after the Broncos started at their own 20 after a delay of game.

Still, the Broncos moved the ball and relied upon the bell cow, Jalen Buckley, who rushed four straight times for 9 yards, including getting stuffed to end the drive. Prior to that, though, it was backup Zahir Abdus-Salaam with a 9-yard rush and quarterback Hayden Wolff finding Anthony Sambucci for 12 yards.

Wisconsin 21, Western Michigan 14, 7:50 Q4

Wisconsin reclaims lead to stave off upset alert, for now

Tawee Walker proved he's a strong runner as the Badgers capped a 20-yard touchdown drive following Western Michigan's miscue. He lowered his shoulder on a 6-yard touchdown run up the middle as the Badgers reclaimed the lead. Then Tyler Van Dyke found redshirt freshman Trech Kekahuna in the end zone for the 2-point conversion.

It was a fortunate series of events for the Badgers, who found themselves on upset alert after the first turnover of the game. But they got one back and Walker had strong rushes of 4, 6 and 6 yards with a Van Dyke 4-yard gain to complete the short touchdown drive.

Wisconsin has 315 yards of offense with 165 through the air and 150 on the ground. The defense has held Western Michigan to 188 total yards. But the difference is the Badgers only have two touchdowns in five red-zone trips.

Wisconsin 21, Western Michigan 14, 10:35 Q4

Wisconsin forces its first turnover

Another five-play drive and the ensuing punt continued the makings of an upset, but the Badgers caught a break. After a first down, the Badgers had two incomplete passes and a Tawee Walker rush for a loss of 1.

But the punt by Atticus Bertrams traveled 50 yards where the ball touched Dashon Bussell and led to Wisconsin's Xavier Lucas to fall on it. Perhaps it's the break needed to foil Western Michigan's upset bid as the Badgers were set up at the Broncos' 20.

Western Michigan 14, Wisconsin 13, 12:21 Q4

Upset alert emerges as Western Michigan takes the lead

The Broncos capitalized on a Tyler Van Dyke fumble after they started at the Wisconsin 34. Kicker Palmer Domschke had a 26-yard run on a fake field goal attempt that set Western Michigan up at the Wisconsin 4 and led to a subdued "Jump Around."

And it didn't get much louder as Jalen Buckley punched in for his second 1-yard touchdown and Domschke's extra point gave the Broncos the lead.

Western Michigan 14, Wisconsin 13, 14:06 Q4

Time-honored "Jump Around" returns to Camp Randall Stadium

Wisconsin fans and Badgers games have become known for "Jump Around" after the end of the third quarter. Here's the scene form the season opener.

First turnover comes on Wisconsin fumble

A credit to Tyler Van Dyke for directing the Badgers' offense to a mistake-free first half. But it didn't last in the second half as the second drive ended in a Van Dyke fumble after no gain.

The game to that point featured long drives of protecting the ball, but only 13 points in four red-zone trips meant the margin for error was slim. This drive was just five plays for three yards, partly because of a 9-yard sack of Van Dyke, the first by the Broncos' defense.

Wisconsin 13, Western Michigan 7, 2:06 Q3

Western Michigan field goal attempt misses

The Badgers, perhaps, caught a break after allowing the Broncos to drive. But the defense, bend-don't-break as it was, forced a 48-yard field goal attempt that Palmer Domschke missed.

Wisconsin 13, Western Michigan 7, 4:13 Q3

Another Wisconsin drive ends in a field goal

The Badgers are moving the ball like a team that should be open multiple scores against a non-power team. A 14-play, 59-yard drive ended in a 23-yard field goal by Nathanial Vakos, who is 2 for 3.

A long throw by Tyler Van Dyke to the boundary found a leaping Trech Kekahuna to convert on third-and-11 and make the field goal attempt a little easier. Jake Renfro's false start made it first-and-goal from the 11, but the best the Badgers could do was a 9-yard run by Chez Mellusi followed by a loss of 4 and an incomplete pass.

The Badgers have four drives with at least 14 plays and 59 yards, but their 13 points in four trips to the red zone, that is only enough for a lead, for now.

Wisconsin 13, Western Michigan 7, 7:56 Q3

Wisconsin sharing the ball on offense

It was Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker who got the call on Wisconsin's first drive, but it later became the Chez Mellusi show. But by halftime Walker was still the leader in scrimmage yards in what has been a balanced effort for Phil Longo's offense.

Walker rushed for 39 yards on eight carries, and also caught a pair of passes for 11 yards. His 50 scrimmage yards led everybody as eight different Badgers touched the football. Mellusi had 35 yards rushing and the touchdown to go with a 3-yard catch. Bryson Green was the leading receiver with four catches and 39 yards on six targets.

Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was 13 of 23 (57%) for 113 yards and a 97.8 passer rating and rushed four times for 20 yards. He played mistake-free football and did not take a sack.

The Badgers' defense, however, did not have a tackle for loss, quarterback hurry or generate a turnover. Cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean had a team-high four tackles.

Wisconsin leads Western Michigan at halftime, barely

The Badgers have put together long drives but only have 10 points to show for it at halftime. Their latest drive was 14 plays for 68 yards and lasted 2 minutes, 58 seconds and ended with Nathianal Vakos hitting on a 34-yard field goal. A key play on the drive was Tyler Van Dyke rolling to his right to avoid a blitzer, lunging and finding redshirt freshman Trech Kekahuna for a first down.

But it's as if the Badgers should be up more against a team it paid $1.5 million to visit Madison. The first two drives each lasted 16 plays as Chez Mellusi capped a 93-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. But the other 16-play drive ended without points as Vakos missed a 36-yard field goal wide right.

Wisconsin's defense held up well as it allowed 33 yards on 10 plays to force a pair of punts on Western Michigan's first two drives, which included a three-and-out to open the game. But the Broncos channeled their inner Badgers and used a 16-play, 78-yard drive of their own that ended with running back Jalen Buckley converting on fourth-and-goal from the 1 for Western Michigan's lone score.

The halftime total has the Badgers ahead in total yardage (219-111), rushing yards (106-58), passing yards (113-53) and time of possession (16:03-13:57). Wisconsin is even 6 for 9 on third downs, but it has yet to generate a turnover and has not gotten pressure on the quarterback. Meanwhile the Broncos have three pass breakups and a QB hurry.

Wisconsin is set to receive the second-half kickoff, though, and ended with a positive drive and points.

Wisconsin 10, Western Michigan 7, HALFTIME

Yes, Tim Brando, Western Michigan did eventually tie the game

FS1 play-by-play announcer Tim Brando had a rough segment before Western Michigan eventually finished off a drive reminiscent of the Badgers' offense with a touchdown. Wisconsin's defense stuffed three straight plays from the 1-yard line, though Brando was determined that the Broncos had scored several times.

He was eventually correct as Jalen Buckley followed his offensive line's strong push for a 1-yard touchdown that capped off a strong rushing attack. The Broncos drove 78 yards on 16 plays across 8 minutes, 40 seconds, the third 16-play drive of the game.

They key play was Buckley streaking out of the backfield into a space vacated by blitzing safety Preston Zachman. Buckley raced for a 24-yard gain into Badgers territory before Hunter Wohler met him. Otherwise it was a steady dose of Buckley and backup running back Zahir Abdus-Salaam.

Wisconsin 7, Western Michigan 7, 3:02 Q2

Chez Mellusi scores first Wisconsin touchdown

Riley Mahlman was the pulling offensive lineman who sealed the edge on Chez Mellusi's 9-yard touchdown run after the Badgers benefitted from a targeting call. The Badgers continued to sustain long drives against Western Michigan and, this time, put points on the board.

A 93-yard touchdown drive ended after 16 plays and 6 minutes, 29 seconds. The Badgers' offense may be in the shotgun or pistol formations, but they look similar to the ground-and-pound of old. The Badgers have 146 yards, 78 rushing and 68 passing. Mellusi is the leading rusher with 35 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.

Both drives, by the way, were 16 yards and lasted within 3 seconds of each other.

Wisconsin 7, Western Michigan 0, 11:48 Q2

What analysts said about Jacob Wahlberg being ejected for targeting

Western Michigan lost a key player to its defense. Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was hurried by Jacob Wahlberg, a redshirt senior linebacker, who was a free rusher off the left side of the offense. Wahlberg wears the headset for the Broncos' defense in his helmet to be able to hear Western Michigan coaches, so it's certainly a key loss.

FS1 analyst Devin Gardner, a former linebacker at Michigan, was quick to point out, "That's going to be targeting for sure. I'm going to stand on that." The play was not initially called targeting but was reviewed in the replay center and applied afterwards.

Rules analyst Mike Pereira, a former NFL official and vice president of officiating for the NFL, concurred: "Devin, I have taught you well, that's all I can say. This is classic when you lead to a defenseless player, it's any forcible contact to the head or neck area. I would put my marbles on that young man being ejected."

Western Michigan punts, but pins Wisconsin inside 10

The Broncos were able to move the ball on their second drive. They gained 30 yards on seven plays but ended with a punt down to the Wisconsin 8. Western Michigan's passing attack hasn't done much but running back Jalen Buckley broke a trio of runs of 9, 6 and 8 yards before the Badgers held Western Michigan to gained 7 yards over its next four plays to midfield before a punt.

Wisconsin 0, Western Michigan 0, 3:17 Q1

Missed field goal ends promising drive by Wisconsin offense

It was a bit of a surprise that Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker — not veteran Chez Mellusi — was the feature back to start the Badgers' opening offensive possession. But a 16-play, 63-yard drive that had plenty of what's-to-come for offensive coordinator Phil Longo's offense ended without points after kicker Nathanial Vakos missed a 36-yard field goal attempt wide right.

The Badgers gained averaged 3.6 yards per carry and Walker had 16 yards on four totes, plus a pair of catches for 11 yards. His 27 scrimmage yards were most among Badgers. Six different Wisconsin players moved the football, and standout receiver Will Pauling had a drop, as Tyler Van Dyke was 5 for 8 for 38 yards passing and added a 5-yard run on a read-option keep.

The Badgers were 2 for 4 on third down and converted a fourth-and-short in their own territory.

Wisconsin 0, Western Michigan 0, 6:57 Q1

Wisconsin defense forces punt to open season

The Badgers wanted to improve their defense and they were off to a great start. Three plays netted 3 yards with Jaheim Thomas stuffing a run by Western Michigan quarterback Hayden Wolff after 1 yard. Wolff also threw an incomplete pass and running back Jalen Buckley was held to a 2-yard rush.

Defensive line depth was going to be a strength, and Ben Barten, who was part of the first-team defense after James Thompson Jr. suffered an injury before the season, had a tackle. It allowed the Badgers to take over with 13 minutes, 29 seconds left.

Wisconsin 0, Western Michigan 0, 13:29 Q1

Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke hopes to revive offense

Fickell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo named Tyler Van Dyke the Wisconsin starting quarterback during preseason camp. The Badgers have had inconsistent play at quarterback over recent years and Van Dyke, who transferred after being a three-year starter at Miami (Fla.), could be the answer to revive the Air Raid offense, which didn't exactly launch last season.

It's twofold, really, as Van Dyke has good size at 6 foot 4, 227 pounds and with a great season could become a NFL Draft prospect. He was a three-star quarterback out of Glastonbury, Connecticut, and 247Sports rated him a four-star transfer portal prospect (113th and the 17th-best QB).

6 on Wisconsin football's injury report

Other players who are out are wide receiver Quincy Burroughs, outside linebacker Thomas Heiberger, offensive linemen Leyton Nelson and Barrett Nelson and tight end Rob Booker II, a freshman from Waunakee.

Jack Del Rio joins Wisconsin football's staff

Former NFL coach Jack Del Rio joined Fickell's staff this week. He is a senior adviser to Fickell after 26 seasons in the NFL and 11 playing at the highest level.

Del Rio, 61, was part of a Super Bowl-winning staff as Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach in 2000-01. Del Rio spent nine seasons leading the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he was 68-71 with three playoff appearances. He led the Oakland Raiders for three seasons and was 25-23 with another playoff berth. He had three 11-win-or-better seasons, but was 1-3 in postseason play.

Wisconsin football vs. Western Michigan odds

How to watch Wisconsin football vs. Western Michigan

Fans can watch Wisconsin's opener on FS1 at 8 p.m., with Tim Brando doing play-by-play on the broadcast alongside analyst Devin Gardner and Josh Sims reporting from the sidelines.

How to stream Wisconsin football vs. Western Michigan

There are several options for fans looking to follow the action online, withthe FS1 broadcast available to subscribers on the Fox Sports app and the radio feed airing on the Varsity Network App and Sirius/XM channels 132 and 195.

How to listen to Wisconsin football vs. Western Michigan on the radio

The game also will be broadcast on the radio on the Badger Sports Network with Matt Lepay on the play-by-play call alongside former Badgers and Green Bay Packers offensive linemanMark Tauscherand Patrick Herb reporting from the sidelines.