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Wisconsin Football: Grading group performances from week one

By Tanner Nestle

MADISON, WI - AUGUST 31: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second 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 after scoring a touchdown in the second 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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Wisconsin Football K Rafael Gaglianone
MIAMI GARDENS, FL – DECEMBER 30: Rafael Gaglianone #27 of the Wisconsin Badgers and Connor Allen #90 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate a field goal during the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

A+. . . Wisconsin Badgers. SPECIAL TEAMS

Wisconsin should have a very strong special teams unit this year. Kicker Rafael Gaglianone is as reliable as they come and showed it by drilling his two field goal attempts, one from 39 yards and the other from 42 yards. Gaglianone also converted on all four of his extra point attempts, to nobody’s surprise. Gaglianone will have a couple more weeks of low-tension kicks to get back up to speed after only being cleared to resume kicking so recently. I trust he’ll be a valuable weapon for the Badgers all year.

Wisconsin limited Western Kentucky’s kickoff opportunities, but we did see freshman Aron Cruickshank get a chance at one. He took his only kickoff return for 30 yards and put his speed on full display for the fans. It really looks like he’s got another gear.

There wasn’t anything to complain about as the kick and punt return duties look like they’ll be solid yet again, and Gaglianone looked sharp. As the season unfolds the Wisconsin special teams will likely be one of the most sound units on the team. Special teams are something that will seldom hurt the Badgers.

Next. Ten best Wisconsin Football games since 2010. dark

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All stats used in this post are from ESPN.com.