Chez Mellusi, Wisconsin Football News: Draft Scout Player News

08/31/24 - RB Chez Mellusi, rSr/2025, Wisconsin

Wisconsin's only punt of the nght resulted in arguably the biggest play of the game. The Badgers were trailing early in the fourth quarter when a punt from Atticus Bertrams bounced sideways and hit Western Michigan's DaShon Bussell, who was trying to get away from it. Wisconsin's Austin Brown pounced on the loose ball at Western Michigan's 20-yard line. That turnover resulted in a Tawee Walker 6-yard touchdown run that put Wisconsin ahead for good with 10:35 remaining in the Badgers' 28-14 season-opening victory Friday night. "That completely flipped the field, took all the momentum out of their sails and put it into ours," Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler said. "We were able to capitalize and finish the game out." Walker, an Oklahoma transfer, rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries. Chez Mellusi led Wisconsin's rushing attack with 74 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts.

Western Michigan's Jalen Buckley rushed for 64 yards and had two 1-yard touchdown runs. Wisconsin, which entered as a 24 1/2-point favorite, had a tougher time than expected before winning for the 28th time in its last 29 home openers. The exception was a 16-10 loss to Penn State in 2021. "It was a challenge," Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said. "I think more than anything you've got to find ways to win. That's what we did tonight." On his go-ahead touchdown, Walker bounced off cornerback Aaron Wofford inside the 5 and bulled his way into the end zone. Tyler Van Dyke's two-point conversion pass to Trech Kekahuna made it 21-14 with 10:35 left. Wisconsin's Aaron Witt and Nyzier Fourqurean stopped Buckley on fourth-and-1 from midfield to end Western Michigan's next possession. Van Dyke then scored from 6 yards out to make it 28-14 with 3:17 left. Xavier Lucas picked off a Hayden Wolff pas with less than two minutes remaining to seal the victory. - AP College Football

rSr/2025