While most Badger fans' eyes drifted towards the injury status of starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. against Miami (OH), the defense was quietly putting together the best week one performance in the country.
Based on PFSN's defensive impact metrics, the Wisconsin defense was the best in the nation after a week of football. The Badgers graded out at a 96.4 after holding the RedHawks to zero points on the night. Wisconsin also snagged two interceptions and sacked quarterback Dequan Finn three times on their way to allowing just 117 total yards in the shutout.
Revamped Badger defense came up big in season opener
Throughout the entire last season, the Badgers' defense was a liability. The team ranked dead last in the Big Ten in tackles for loss and second to last in sacks. They also only nabbed four interceptions all year. In 2025, with an influx of new transfers, this year's squad looks to be a completely different animal.
Louisville edge transfer Mason Reiger, who has NFL written all over him, graded out as an 89.8 with PFF after a tally four tackles and half a sack in his first game in Madison. Meanwhile, veteran safety Preston Zachman led all Badger defenders with a 94.0 PFF grade after a two-pick night.
His stellar performance earned him the Big Ten defensive player of the week. He was electric, but he said part of the reason he had success was because of the defensive line creating extra pressures for the quarterback to make bad decisions.
It's safe to say that while Badger Nation was holding its breath on the status of Edwards Jr., the defense was balling out. This revamped defense had fans hopeful for the return of a classic, gritty Wisconsin defensive unit, and so far, after one week, they're justifying the hype.