Wisconsin Badgers vs. South Dakota: First Half Observations

After the lackluster performance in Week 1 against Western Michigan, the Wisconsin Badgers needed to get off to a hot start early.

The Wisconsin Offense Has Success Early

Starting the game with the ball, that's exactly what they did. The Badgers marched down the field, going 75 yards and scoring a touchdown in just seven plays. The possession was capped off by a 9-yard Chez Mellusi run.

Two possessions later, Van Dyke connected with CJ Williams for a 50-yard touchdown when the defense bit on quarterback keeper, leaving Williams wide open to walk into the end zone, putting the Badgers up 14-0 in the first quarter.

The offense showed a lot more explosiveness in the first half of this game than they did in Week 1. That doesn't mean the half was perfect, however. The offensive line still struggled to control the line of scrimmage.

Van Dyke was sacked in the Badgers' second possession and Mellusi was hit behind the line of scrimmage on multople occasions, including a 5-yard loss at the start of the second quarter, leading to a quick three-and-out for the Badgers.

As Tawee Walker sat out with an injury, Cade Yacamelli looked great as the backup running back. He ran the ball hard and was tough to bring down. He broke a 29-yard run in the second quarter after a Wisconsin penalty.

Yacamelli led the Badgers in rushing in the first half with 59 yards on seven carries. Mellusi added 38 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

The Defense Bends, Giving Up Chunk Plays, But Doesn't Break

Coming into the game, it was imperative that the Badgers contain the Coyotes' 2-headed monster of Travis Theis and Charles Pierre Jr.

For the most part, the defense held them in check. The only problem is when they didn't, they busted some big plays.

Theis did most of the damage. In the Coyote's first possession, he moved South Dakota close to midfield with a 25-yard reception after he eluded multiple tackles. He helped lead the Coyotes into Wisconsin territory three times in the first half. Halso added a 17-yard run.

The Badgers' defense bent, but didn't break. They forced punts on two of those possessions and also held the Coyotes out of the end zone, forcing them to kick a field goal after having a first down inside the Badgers' 20-yard line.

Charles Pierre Jr. also got in on the action, busting a 16-yard run.

In all, the Coyotes managed just 34 yards on the ground. A much better performance thus far for the Wisconsin Badgers' defense that gave up 120 yards and two touchdowns last week.

Related: South Dakota Presents Another Test for the Wisconsin Run Defense

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