Wisconsin Football Defeats Buffalo 38-17: Three Big Takeaways

Wisconsin football finally played its long-anticipated opener of the Luke Fickell era. With offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s promises of a high-flying offense, fans have been buzzing about the Badgers for months. Although the Cardinal and White prevailed against the Buffalo Bulls, the victory did not come without some hiccups along the way.

The Badgers never trailed the Bulls, but only held a 14-10 lead at the half. A UW team with high expectations got off to a sputtering start before outgaining Buffalo 205 to 53 yards in the third quarter to pull away. With an impressive quarter, there are positive takeaways, but Fickell will have plenty of mistakes to correct.

Tanner Mordecai Struggles in Debut for Wisconsin Football

Tanner Mordecai arrived in Madison with tremendous expectations. The fifth-year quarterback was immediately named the starter after two years as QB1 for the SMU Mustangs. Following a subpar performance at UW’s spring game, he struggled throughout his regular season debut as a Badger.

Sep 2, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Mordecai finished the day with only 189 passing yards on 31 attempts. His 6.1 yards per attempt left much to be desired – Iowa’s underwhelming 2022 offense recorded 6.0 yards per attempt. The Wisconsin football captain also recorded two interceptions – and nearly gave up a third. Late in the fourth quarter, Buffalo cornerback Clevester Hines III disrupted a Mordecai pass attempt thrown directly his way, but Mordecai caught the ball as it ricocheted back to himself for a five-yard loss.

Despite completing 77.4% of his passes, the signal caller was inaccurate at times. UW’s first drive stalled after Mordecai underthrew wide receiver Bryson Green on a quick curl. On a similar route run by WR Chimere Dike, Mordecai’s pass was tipped at the line.

The Badgers Can Still Run the Damn Ball

While struggling through the air, Wisconsin football displayed its prowess on the ground. The Badgers gained 314 yards on 40 attempts – nearly eight yards per carry.

Sep 2, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Braelon Allen (0) rushes with the football during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

UW running backs Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen rushed for 157 and 141 yards, respectively. Each finished the day with two rushing touchdowns as well. Mellusi shined, posting the fifth-longest touchdown run in program history with an 89-yard scamper midway through the third quarter.

This @chez_mellusi 89-yard TD run is tied for the 5th-longest by a @BadgerFootball player all-time. ⚡️@TIAA x #WinWithAPurpose pic.twitter.com/DMNq8mA6Gm

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 2, 2023

On the subsequent drive, Wisconsin football went 97 yards in just 2:37 for a touchdown. The eight-play series could have served as a highlight reel for Allen, who capped it off with a six-yard scamper for the score. Responsible for 62 of the drive’s yardage, Agent 0 used all of his 245 pounds to break a handful of tackles on a 37-yard run to set up his own touchdown.

Wisconsin Football Has Big Question Marks on Defense

Defensive coordinator Mike Tressel’s unit looked better as the game went on, but the Badgers struggled on defense for much of the day. Much like Mordecai’s, the defense’s struggles could simply be growing pains, but they could be cause for concern. After all, Buffalo is a Mid-American Conference team with just as many new starters and new coordinators as UW.

The Bulls’ first touchdown drive came with the help of two breakdowns in Wisconsin’s secondary. First, Badgers corner Alexander Smith was burned on a double move by Buffalo WR Darrell Harding Jr. for a 51-yard reception. Smith did recover to make the tackle at the eight-yard line, but it only delayed the damage. Two plays later, Bulls QB Cole Snyder completed a TD pass to WR Cole Harrity. Harrity was wide open in the end zone after UW safety Kamo’i Latu was fooled on a smash concept. In the fourth quarter, Wisconsin CB Travian Blaylock was beaten by Harrity on a similar route to the back corner of the endzone for another touchdown.

Up front, Wisconsin football failed to generate pressure on Snyder most of the game. The defense did, however, hold up when it mattered most. The Badgers did not record a sack all game and gave Snyder a clean pocket throughout the first half. Whether through attrition, talent, or skill, the defensive line improved in the second half. On the day, Wisconsin’s defense allowed Buffalo to convert only 2 of 15 third down attempts and one of four attempts on fourth down.

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