The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 42-10 Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, overcoming an uninspiring first half performance to improve to 2-0 on the young season.
“To be honest with you, it was a tale of two halves,” Head Coach Luke Fickell told reporters at a postgame press conference.
First Half
Middle Tennessee didn’t take long to find the scoreboard. After a successful 34-yard pass from quarterback Nicholas Vattiato to wide receiver Nahzae Cox, kicker Jacob Hathaway nailed a 27-yard field goal, completing a 68-yard drive to lead the game 3-0.
Meanwhile, the Badgers were stumped early by two quick defensive stops from the Blue Raiders. Wisconsin found it unexpectedly difficult to penetrate Middle Tennessee defensive line with their rushing attack.
Offensive Coordinator Jeff Grimes’s playbook prioritized the passing game. The Badgers’ offensive line struggled to keep pressure away from their running backs and create gaps for them to find, which forced Grimes to adjust and call quick pass plays for O’Neil.
The first two touchdowns — off drives that were only possible because of quarterback Danny O’Neil’s consistent passing from start to end — made the score to 14-3, helping the Badgers create some breathing space. Slot receiver Tyrell Henry and running back Dilon Jones brought home the scores.
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Despite the jump ahead, Wisconsin’s offense faltered with two minutes left in the half. An unlucky clash between Jones and left guard Joe Brunner knocked O’Neil’s throw out of Jones’s hands and resulted in an interception byBlue Raider defensive tackle Damonte Smith, who was brought down at Wisconsin’s 11-yard line.
A quick 7-yard gain brought Middle Tennessee to the 4-yard line and Vattiato’s pass to tight end Hunter Tipton made the score 14-10 — all within two minutes to halftime.
“In the first half, we didn't execute even close to the way we prepared,” Fickell said.
But the truth of the matter is, I like understanding some of the things we have to do to grow.”
By the end of the first half, Wisconsin’s receiving yards outnumbered their rushing yards by 80 (127-40), making it clear rushing was not the Badgers’ forte in the first half of regulation.
Second Half
The second half for the Badgers saw improvements on both ends of the field. The defensive line kept the Blue Raiders’ rushing limited and were able to convert crucial stops, between failed 4th down conversions and three-and-outs.
From then on out, it was smooth sailing for Wisconsin. Finding an offensive groove, O’Neil tossed the ball back to slot receiver Trech Kekahuna on a reverse handoff who took it for a long 61 yards to the end zone, making the score 21-10.
After making it back within the opposition’s 50-yard line, O’Neil’s combination of passing and rushing led to a fourth Badger touchdown. Another reverse handoff call led to a 14-yard rushing touchdown from Vinny Anthony II.
In a display of explosive passing, wide receiver Jayden Ballard created space for himself on the edge of the sideline and was found open by O’Neil for a 58-yard passing touchdown. The Badgers got their fifth touchdown on the board and Ballard’s first for Wisconsin.
With the scoreline now 35-10, Wisconsin running back Cade Yacamelli led the rushing attack to Middle Tennessee 18-yard line. There, O’Neil found tight end Lance Mason for a 17-yard touchdown pass to put the Badgers up 42-10.
O’Neil, in his first game as a starter for the Wisconsin Badgers, ended up with an 85% pass completion rate, 283 yards and three touchdowns.
“He fits in well [with the team]. We knew he was going to go into the game with confidence and he did exactly that,” Ballard said about O’Neil’s adaptability to the new situation and team.
Now, the question remain whether O’Neil will start against the Badgers’ next opponent: No. 19 Alabama.
Wisconsin’s opening day starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. seems to still be recovering from a left knee sprain he sustained in week 1, and as his status for week 3 remains skeptical, it will be something for the Badger faithful to keep an eye on.
