Badger of Honor
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Wisconsin Football shows enough to keep enthusiasm high

By Zac Pestine

MADISON, WI - AUGUST 31: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - AUGUST 31: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Camp Randall Stadium on August 31, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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On opening day, Wisconsin football showed enough to keep fans enthusiastic about this team’s playoff hopes.

The good news is that it wasn’t bad for the Wisconsin football team. The bad news is that it wasn’t great.

The Badgers’ 34-3 win over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers was not always pretty. The vaunted offensive line that got the cover of Sports Illustrated looked a bit porous. At times, the Hilltoppers were explosive on defense, sacking Quarterback Alex Hornibrook three times and tackling Heisman hopeful Jonathan Taylor several times for a loss. Taylor’s fumbling woes continued, which are a facet of his game he needs to clean up if he wants to win the Heisman and lead this team to a National Championship.

But it was not all bad. Much of the night was encouraging. Playing without starting receivers Quintez Cephus and Danny Davis, the highly capable A.J. Taylor, and Kendric Pryor offered speed and elusiveness, combining for 136 receiving yards on 9 catches, including a touchdown. Pryor exited early with cramps.

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Taylor hit several home runs, as he is wont to do. Hornibrook had two or three pretty poor throws, one of which should have been picked, but overall was accurate and encouraging.

Then there’s the defense, which is led by seasoned veterans like T.J. Edwards, Ryan Connelly, Chris Orr, and D’Cota Dixon, but which also lacks experience at cornerback. Scott Nelson looked outstanding next to Dixon at safety. The 6’2 freshman from Detroit made huge tackles in the Hilltopper backfield and looked the part of Wisconsin’s next top safety when defending passes. The inexperience of cornerbacks Caesar Williams and Faion Hicks showed at times, particularly on several Hilltoppers’ drives in the second half, but they too were promising given their youth. The Badgers will need them to step up in a big way with the transfer of Dontye Carriere-Williams.

Overall, Wisconsin deserves a grade of a B for this game. Even though it was a bit sloppy, players made key plays when they needed to, and each unit showed why this team entered the season as the #4 team in the country.

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The Badgers host New Mexico next week, who do not pose a serious threat to Wisconsin’s playoff hopes. Watch for the offensive line to bounce back, the continued development of Wisconsin’s young cornerbacks, and Jonathan Taylor’s ball security. If all improve, Wisconsin can play with anyone in the country.