The Wisconsin Badgers football team defeated Western Michigan 28-14 in their 2024 season opener on Friday night. Although the game was too close for comfort at times, it is the program’s third-straight season-opening win.
The Badgers relied heavily on their ground game, churning out 196 rushing yards on 46 attempts as a team. Chez Mellusi led the way with 74 yards and a score on the ground while Tawee Walker chipped in 66 yards and a touchdown as well.
Making his Wisconsin debut at quarterback, Tyler Van Dyke threw for 192 yards against the Broncos.
For Western Michigan, running back Jalen Buckley was able to reach the end zone twice while compiling 64 rushing yards in the game. Quarterback Hayden Wolff produced 141 passing yards, but he did throw an interception to Badgers freshman Xavier Lucas in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos led 14-13 in the fourth quarter, but Wisconsin ultimately prevailed, improving to 5-1 against Western Michigan all-time and 37-1 against the Mid American Conference.
Here are some of the best pictures from the Badgers Week 1 win: