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Wisconsin Football: Game balls from the win over Eastern Michigan

By Dillon Graff

MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 11: Chez Mellusi #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes the ball in the third quarter against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Camp Randall Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 11: Chez Mellusi #6 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes the ball in the third quarter against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Camp Randall Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /
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The Wisconsin football team was able to rebound from their week one loss with a 34-7 victory over Eastern Michigan. This was a game the Badgers were always expected to win, but they looked great in the showing.

Offensively the Badgers racked up the yardage (518 total yards), but once again failed to execute early in the game, leaving points on the board after running four straight running plays in the red zone and turning the ball over on downs. As we’ve already seen, that’s not going to be acceptable against bigger programs. This is a team that’s still working to find its identity on offense and needs to find it in a hurry if they’re going to win the Big Ten West.

Defensively, the Badgers made Eastern Michigan look like a high school JV team – holding them to just 92 total yards (yes, you read that right). I know this was a lesser opponent but this defense is the heart and soul of this team. Week in and week out the Badgers will have a chance to win because of Jim Leonhard’s defensive unit.

So, with that in mind – it’s time to hand out game balls for both offense and defense.

Offense: Chez Mellusi

While the argument could be made that the game ball could have gone to the entire running back room (55 carries – 352 yards – 6.4 YPC), I have to stick with just one player – and that player is Chez Mellusi.

Mellusi was once again the Badgers’ primary ball carrier, totaling 20 carries for 144 yards (7.2 YPC) and a touchdown. Mellusi ripped off a 60-yard run in the first quarter that almost went to the house, but was brought down just inside the ten – this helped set the tone for the Badgers’ run game.

It was yet another strong showing for the Clemson transfer who has proved to be elusive and decisive behind the Wisconsin offensive line. Had he gotten the chance to register more carries he could have had a monster game.

Defense: Matt Henningsen

Again, it’s hard to single out just one player in a game where the defense as a whole only allowed for 92 total yards. That being said, Matt Henningsen proved to be an absolute wrecking ball on the defensive line. He registered 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, and 1 pass deflection.

Henningsen just looked like a man amongst boys out there and was able to make a noticeable impact from a position most known for doing the dirty work. Matt Henningsen is an underrated difference-maker on the defense of this Wisconsin football team.

Honorable mention: Logan Bruss

Late in the game freshman, Braelon Allen punched in his first touchdown as a Wisconsin football player – a monumental moment for the player and fans alike. One of Eastern Michigan’s defensive players, Turan Rush went out of his way to stomp on the freshman tailback – a real low-life move. Logan Bruss backed up his running back by throwing Rush to the ground, drawing a personal foul flag, something the coaches won’t mind.

Everybody loves when the offensive lineman come to the defense of their own, tip of the cap to Logan Bruss – it didn’t go unnoticed.