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Wisconsin Football vs. Utah State: Badgers crush Aggies

By Matthew Bartlett

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers drops back and passes the football during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 15: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers drops back and passes the football during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium on October 15, 2016 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin football welcomes Utah State to town for their 2017 season opener. Catch the highlights here and stay tuned for three stars of the game.

Read Also: 2017 Wisconsin football game-by-game predictions

In one of the many lopsided matchups of opening weekend, Wisconsin hosts a non-Power 5 opponent to open their season. It figures to be an easy win the Badgers, but it should also be an opportunity for them to shake off some dust that has accumulated during a long offseason.

ESPN FPI gives the Badgers a 97.5 percent chance of defeating their Mountain West opponent. That’s not terribly surprising. Wisconsin is coming off a Big Ten West title while the Aggies of Utah State managed a 3-9 record with victories over Weber State, Arkansas State and Fresno State.

For Wisconsin, this will be quarterback Alex Hornibrook‘s first season as the full-time starting quarterback. The Badgers implemented the rare two-quarterback system a year ago and found moderate success. He has the benefit of a handful of elite pass catchers also returning including receiver Jazz Peavy and tight end Troy Fumagalli.

They’ll have to make some adjustments on the defensive front. Jack Cichy tore his ACL during fall practices, which means others are going to have to step up. Wisconsin has the depth, but it remains to be seen how it will be deployed this season. We should at least get a glimpse tonight. Stay tuned here for in game updates, highlights and the three stars of the game.

Three Stars

  • Redshirt senior Joe Ferguson picked off a Kent Meyers pass and returned into for a touchdown, the first of his career
  • Troy Fumagalli was every bit as good as advertised. The senior tight end hauled in five passes for 105 yards and a score.
  • He had to wait his turn but freshman Jonathan Taylor notched 87 yards rushing on nine carries with one score including a 41 yard scamper. That’s 9.7 yards per carry.

Highlights

Next: 2017 Top 50 players in college football

What’s Next

Wisconsin’s next opponent is somewhat notable, perhaps more so because of who their coach is than their football successes of late. The Badgers play host to Lane Kiffin and the FAU Owls in their next game on Saturday, Sep. 9. The Aggies return home for one of only two home games in the opening month of the season. They play Idaho State in a Thursday night contest on Sep. 7.

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