Wisconsin’s 36-9 win over Western Illinois got the job done, but it wasn’t exactly a clean night for the Badgers. There was enough good to leave with a comfortable result, and enough sloppiness to keep the coaching staff busy after the final whistle.
The biggest offensive spark came from Sama, who opened the game by ripping off 103 yards on just two carries. He didn’t keep that same pace all night, and he still had a habit of dancing in the backfield instead of taking the easier yardage, but the explosiveness was impossible to miss. Wisconsin has been looking for that kind of big-play burst on the ground, and Sama flashed it in a way that should keep him central to the plan.
Kicker Lahm also gave Wisconsin something it can feel good about. He drilled field goals from 30, 49 and 50 yards, and each one was clean.
That matters, especially for a team that could find itself in tight games later this season. There were real questions about him entering the year because he had never attempted a collegiate field goal before, but he looked composed and natural.
The one blemish was a missed extra point after Chris Brooks Jr’s 32-yard touchdown, though that can be brushed aside for now unless it turns into a pattern.
On special teams, Van Dinter made his mark in a hurry. The Iowa State transfer had a punt-block touchdown in the first quarter, teaming up with Liam Danitz in the backfield before scooping it up and taking it to the end zone. With Matt Jung and Marvin Burks Jr already looking like major pieces in the defensive backfield, that kind of play should only help Van Dinter push for more snaps.
Wisconsin also got encouraging work from Cheeks, even without a sack to match what he did in Week 1. Western Illinois quarterback Kennedy McGill kept moving and escaping when pressure came, but Cheeks still made his presence felt off the edge all night. His burst is real, and his pass rush has clearly taken another step.
Heiberger, meanwhile, took advantage of a larger role with Mason Posa a little banged up. He delivered a key stop in coverage on a 4th and 2 slant and later flew into the backfield for a tackle for loss in the fourth quarter.
The speed popped. If he keeps building like this, Wisconsin could have a dangerous third linebacker to trust in more situations.
The roughest stretch on the Wisconsin side belonged to Joseph. His decision-making looked fine, but the accuracy just wasn’t there for long stretches against an FCS opponent at home.
The ball was too high, too behind, or too late too often. He did settle in some after halftime, but the first-half throwing was a concern.
He also didn’t get much going as a runner, and he rarely got outside the pocket, which might have helped him settle into a rhythm.
Fletcher had his own issues early. On Western Illinois’ third drive, when the Leathernecks finally started to move the ball, they found some success going at him.
Jacob Kania made a strong catch with Fletcher right on him, and the corner never got his head around. A few plays later, Fletcher took a bad angle while trying to jump an out route, and that led to a 20-yard catch-and-run for Kania.
Wisconsin walked away with the win, but the night was a reminder that there’s still plenty to sharpen up.
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Against Western Illinois, the early returns turned a bit rougher through the air, with several missed throws exposing the next step in his development. Even so, his decision-making held up well, which is why the bigger concern is not the reads but the ball placement. Wisconsin can work with talent and instincts, but if Joseph is going to give the offense real stability, the accuracy has to come along with the arm strength. [Read more 🡒]