The Wisconsin Badgers football team beat South Dakota 27-13 at home on Saturday. Wisconsin improved to 2-0 to open a season for the first time since 2020.
Wisconsin was able to get off to a hot start against the Coyotes, finishing their first drive with a nine-yard rushing touchdown by running back Chez Mellusi. They later added a 50-yard score through the air from quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to wide receiver C.J. Williams on their third possession, giving them an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Van Dyke finished his day with 214 passing yards and the aforementioned touchdown pass, while Mellusi compiled 60 yards and two scores on 16 carries. Additionally, running back Cade Yacamelli had an efficient day, churning out 73 yards on eight carries, including a 29-yarder.
After trailing 17-3 at halftime, South Dakota made it rather interesting in the second half, narrowing the deficit to 17-13 at one point in the third quarter. Running back Charles Pierre Jr. had 12 carries for 83 yards while his backfield mate Keyondray Jones-Logan made the most of his only touch, turning an end-around into a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
The Badgers were able to secure a 50-yard field goal from Nathanial Vakos with 2:21 left in the third quarter, expanding the lead to 20-13. Chez Mellusi put the game out of reach for the Coyotes with his second score of the day in the fourth quarter with 7:41 left in the game.
Before preview work continues for Wisconsin’s showdown with No. 4 Alabama, here are some of the best pictures from the team’s Week 2 win: