Wisconsin Remains Inconsistent in Win Over South Dakota

Inconsistency is the perfect word to describe the Wisconsin Badgers through two games.

There are times they show they can be the team fans and media alike think they can be.

But then there are times when they can't get out of their own way and letting teams they should beat handily, hang around.

Last week, the Badgers methodically worked their way down the field, dinking and dunking while eating clock up.

That was different this week. The Badgers opened up the game with a seven play, 75-yard drive that took just 2:46 and was capped off by a nine-yard run by Chez Mellusiu for a touchdown.

Shortly after, on their third possession, Tyler Van Dyke connected with a wide open CJ Williams for a 50-yard touchdown, the first touchdown career score for Williams.

"Coach Longo made a great call," Williams said after the game. "He saw those corners were kind of coming down, especially in cover two, really hard. Eyes were in the backfield...trying to make run fit, corners as well."

After the Badgers went up 14-0, showing some explosiveness that wasn't there last week. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke spoke about explosiveness within the offense that in his postgame availability.

"Yeah, it was definitely an emphasis for sure," Van Dyke said. "We got off to a hot start with that. I wish we could carry that on throughout the game, but I thought we did a better job of getting more explosive in the passing game."

Afte the explosive start, the offense started to sputter again. The Badgers managed just three points in the second quarter, heading into the break with a 17-3 lead.

The third quarter was the valley for the team. The offense couldn't seem to get going and South Dakota started to get their running game going, going four plays for 75 yards and a touchdown to start the second half to make it a one score game.

South Dakota got within four points after a 32-yard field goal with just over five minutes to go in the third quarter, making it 17-13. The Badgers salvaged the quarter with a Nathanial Vakos 50-yard field goal to give the Badgers a touchdown lead heading into the final quarter.

That's when Badgers got it going again. The defense was able to shut down the Coyote's offensive attack, especially after punched it in for a score on 4th and goal to go up two touchdowns.

After that, South Dakota had to abandon the run. The Coyotes only managed seven yards on eight plays in two possessions that lasted a total of 3:25. The Badgers put the clamps on them defensively and the offense was able to burn up clock.

"The past two games we definitely dominated the fourth quarter," Van Dyke said. But he also acknowledged the offense's inconsistencies so far this year.

"Today we had a pretty good start," the quarterback said. "Kind of had a lull the second and third quarter. We just have to do a better job in those times."

Rest assured, the Badgers are well aware of their inconsistencies and you can bet Coach Fickell will have some restless nights ahead of him, trying to fix those issues and preparing for Alabama next Saturday.

Related: All Badgers Staff Predictions: Wisconsin Football vs. South Dakota

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