MADISON – Finally, it’s game week.
The Wisconsin football team opens the season Friday under the lights of Camp Randall Stadium against Western Michigan (8 p.m. kickoff).
Here is what you need to know about the Broncos, who were picked to finish seventh out of 12 teams in the Mid-American Conference preseason coaches poll released last month. Seventeen full-time starters and 24 players who got at least one start return.
Count on Jalen Buckley getting his touches
Western Michigan running back Jalen Buckley (29) was one of two freshmen in the nation who had a 1,000-yard season in 2023.
Buckley, a 5-foot-10, 210-pound redshirt sophomore was one of two freshmen in the nation who had a 1,000-yard season in 2023. He gained 1,003 yards in 189 carries, a 5.3-yard average, and scored 10 times and when you include his 18 receptions he touched the ball almost 19 times per game. His production should be aided by the return of a veteran offensive line that features returning starters at center, right guard and right tackle and further bolstered by the addition of Notre Dame transfer Quinn Murphy, who is poised to help at tackle.
QB Hayden Wolff is the No. 2 returning passer in the MAC
It wasn’t until the second half of the season, but coach Lance Taylor settled on a quarterback and the decision has put the Broncos in good position this year. Wolff, a redshirt senior, started the final five games and led the Broncos to victories over Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. He completed 65% of his passes for 1,505 yards last season, a 188.1-yard average that is second only to Miami’s Brett Gabbert (204.3) among returning players.
The Broncos took no hits from the transfer portal
Western Michigan went 5-7 overall and 2-5 in the MAC last season, but the foundation established during Taylor’s first season paid off in player retention….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/five-things-one-fun-fact-110824610.html
Author : Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Publish date : 2024-08-26 11:08:24
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