The second one yr of the Luke Fickell technology starts with a brand new quarterback and a number of questions when Wisconsin opens the season in opposition to Western Michigan on Friday in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin completed 7-6 general and 5-4 within the Large Ten closing yr in Fickell’s first season, culminating in a 35-31 bowl recreation loss to LSU.
The Badgers had been picked 7th within the preseason ballot for the remodeled 18-team Large Ten.
“That Week 1, there is a lot buildup to it,” Fickell mentioned. “You already know, we are getting shut, we are occupied with that, however we have now nonetheless were given some paintings to do earlier than we get to (Friday).”
Tyler Van Dyke, a switch from Miami, gained the preseason quarterback struggle forward of Braedyn Locke, who began 3 video games closing season after Tanner Mordecai was once injured.
Van Dyke finished 65.8 % of his passes for a team-high 2,703 yards with 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Main rusher Braelon Allen, who ran for three,494 yards and 35 touchdowns in 3 seasons, opted for the NFL. 6th-year senior Chez Mellusi returns after enjoying in 4 video games closing season earlier than struggling a leg damage. He has run for 1,595 yards in 3 seasons at Wisconsin.
Will Pauling, who had a team-high 74 catches closing season with six touchdowns, is the highest returning receiver.
The Badgers protection suffered a blow when Fickel showed Monday that senior defensive finish James Thompson Jr. most probably would pass over all of 2024 with an damage. Thompson began 11 video games closing season.
Western Michigan was once 4-8 closing season, together with 3-5 within the Mid-American Convention, in trainer Lance Taylor’s first season.
Hayden Wolff finished 65.5 % of his passes for 1,505 yards and 8 touchdowns in 8 video games (4 begins) closing season.
Jalen Buckley was once the MAC Freshman of the 12 months closing season, dashing for 10 touchdowns on 1,003 yards whilst averaging 5.3 yards consistent with elevate.
Kenny Womack had 76 receptions for 691 yards and one rating. Anthony Sambucci had a team-high 5 landing catches.
“As now we have long past via coaching camp, one of the crucial issues is it is a workforce of togetherness, now not about offense or protection or particular groups,” Taylor mentioned. “They imagine in each and every different and need to win and do no matter it takes to win.”
–Box Degree Media
