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Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Todd's Take: Drama-Free Day On The Field, Cignetti Takes Note Of Exodus Off ItBLOOMINGTON, Ind. – During a previous life covering Indiana football, I covered quarterback Antwaan Randle El’s 1998 debut against Western M...
Bryson Green - Modest production Week 1Green gathered in all four targets for 39 yards during Friday's 28-14 victory versus Western Michigan.
ImpactGreen reprised his role as the Badgers' top outside receiver after tallying 32 catches for 480 yards last year. Though, the 6-foot-3 senior still fell behind slot receiver Will Pauling in terms of catches (six), targets (10) and yards (60). Green also didn't provide any explosive plays Week 1, as transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke failed to connect on any of his, albeit few, deep passing attempts. Green's physicality should still make him the team's best option for contested catches or passes outside of the hashes moving forward.
AUGUST 31•ROTOWIRE
Trech Kekahuna - Catches three passes FridayKekahuna gathered in all three targets for 34 yards during Friday's 28-14 win against Western Michigan.
ImpactKekahuna was one of the star performers during the Badgers' offseason practices, and he built upon this growing reputation in the season opener. The 5-foot-11 speedster finished third on the team in catches behind returning starters Will Pauling (six) and Bryson Green (four). Kekhauna's three targets were also the third-most among the team's wideouts Friday, and he handled kickoff-return duties versus the Broncos. The redshirt sophomore is still behind his fellow slot receiver Pauling in Wisconsin's depth chart. But, Kekahuna's workload could increase as the team seeks to create more explosive plays moving forward. It will be worth monitoring how many targets he gets next Saturday versus South Dakota.
AUGUST 31•ROTOWIRE
Will Pauling - Six catches in season openerPauling compiled six receptions (on seven targets) for 60 yards during Friday's 28-14 win versus Western Michigan.
ImpactPauling reprised his role as the Badgers' top pass catcher, leading the team in every receiving category. This includes a team-long 17-yard reception when he caught a quick pass on third-and-six before turning upfield to keep this drive going. The Badgers overall passing game still wasn't very crisp, as transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke clearly was not on the same page with his wideouts at multiple times in the game. Nevertheless, Pauling's significant target share and explosiveness after the catch makes him the team's most attractive fantasy option moving forward. He'll look to find the end zone versus South Dakota in Week 2.
AUGUST 31•ROTOWIRE
Tawee Walker - Pushes into end zone Week 1Walker tallied 15 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown and gathered in all two targets for 11 yards during Friday's 28-14 victory against Western Michigan.
ImpactWalker ran through multiple defenders en route to a six-yard touchdown to put the Badgers back up 21-14 early in the fourth quarter. The Oklahoma transfer played a significant role in his Wisconsin debut, nearly splitting carries with Chez Mellusi (19 rushes, 74 yards, one touchdown). Walker also logged the first carry on Wisconsin's opening drive, indicating that it should be a fairly even 1-2 punch at running back for the Badgers this season. However, neither rusher managed to break any explosive runs, as Mellusi logged a team-high 11-yard rush. Unless the Badgers can start to open more rushing lanes, both players' production could be limited by this snap distribution moving forward. It will be worth monitoring how Walker and Mellusi perform versus South Dakota in Week 2.
AUGUST 31•ROTOWIRE
Chez Mellusi - Scores TD in returnMellusi compiled 19 rushes for 74 yards and one touchdown and caught their only target for three yards during Friday's 28-14 victory against Western Michigan.
ImpactMellusi scored the opening touchdown in his first game back following a season-ending leg injury suffered last October. However, the sixth-year senior still largely split snaps with Oklahoma transfer Tawae Walker, who tallied 15 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown of his own. Walker was also the first running back to carry the ball for the Badgers on Friday. This offseason, Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo emphasized the importance of the team's rushing game despite operating an air-raid scheme. Therefore, it's likely the team will continue to employ a 1-2 punch with Mellusi and Walker, which would likely limit their statistical ceilings moving forward. They'll both have a good chance to find the endzone once more versus South Dakota in Week 2.
AUGUST 31•ROTOWIRE
Tyler Van Dyke - Uneven in Wisconsin debutVan Dyke was 21-for-36 passing for 192 yards during Friday's 28-14 win over Western Michigan. He also had eight rushes for 21 yards with one touchdown.
ImpactVan Dyke didn't have any notable highlights during his first game with the Badgers. The Miami transfer's only explosive completion came on a 17-yard gain to standout wide receiver Will Pauling, who picked up most of the yards after the catch. The Badgers' passing game also didn't consist of much aside from quick passes to the outside and a few intermediate passes over the middle. Van Dyke looked a little crisper when the Badgers made their comeback in the fourth quarter, including his scrambled for a six-yard rushing touchdown to go up 28-14. Yet, his rushing threat on read options likely won't be enough to buoy his fantasy production if the passing game doesn't pick up significantly moving forward. He'll look to establish some more credibility in this new offense versus South Dakota in Week 2.
AUGUST 31•ROTOWIRE
