MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s only punt of the night resulted in arguably the biggest play of the game.
The Badgers were trailing early in the fourth quarter when a punt from Atticus Bertrams bounced sideways and hit Western Michigan’s DaShon Bussell, who was trying to get away from it. Wisconsin’s Austin Brown pounced on the loose ball at Western Michigan’s 20-yard line.
That turnover resulted in a Tawee Walker 6-yard touchdown run that put Wisconsin ahead for good with 10:35 remaining in the Badgers’ 28-14 season-opening victory Friday night.
“That completely flipped the field, took all the momentum out of their sails and put it into ours,” Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler said. “We were able to capitalize and finish the game out.”
Walker, an Oklahoma transfer, rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Chez Mellusi led Wisconsin’s rushing attack with 74 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts.
Western Michigan’s Jalen Buckley rushed for 64 yards and had two 1-yard touchdown runs.