What a way to kick off the season! Wisconsin’s defense put on an absolute clinic, securing a dominant 17-0 shutout. But the victory came with a scare as QB Billy Edwards Jr. left the game with an injury. How will the Badgers navigate the rest of the season?

The Wisconsin Badgers opened their season with a commanding 17-0 victory over Miami (Ohio), showcasing a truly dominant defensive effort that mitigated an early injury scare to starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.

Preston Zachman emerged as a defensive hero, intercepting two crucial passes to lead a stout Wisconsin performance. This shutout marks a significant turnaround for the Badgers, being their first since 2022, and signals a fresh start after a disappointing 5-7 finish last season that broke a 22-year streak of winning seasons and bowl appearances.

Despite the defensive brilliance, the primary concern for the Badgers remains the status of Billy Edwards Jr., who suffered a lower-body injury in the second quarter. Edwards, who transferred after throwing for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns for Maryland last season, limped off the field after a handoff, watching the remainder of the game from the sideline in sweats.

Filling in for Edwards, Danny O’Neil, who previously started 11 games for San Diego State, stepped up admirably. O’Neil completed 12 of 19 passes for 120 yards, throwing a 3-yard touchdown to Vinny Anthony and also scoring on a 1-yard run, albeit with one interception.

Wisconsin’s offense was not heavily tested thanks to the exceptional play of the defense. The Badgers defense completely stifled Miami (Ohio), limiting them to a mere 117 total yards and an astonishing 0-for-9 on third-down conversion attempts throughout the contest.

There was a moment in the third quarter where Wisconsin missed an opportunity to extend their lead, opting to go for it on fourth-and-3 from the 10-yard line instead of a field goal, resulting in an interception by Silas Walters in the end zone. However, this did not deter the Badgers defense.

Following another forced punt by their formidable defense, Wisconsin quickly capitalized, finding the end zone on their subsequent drive. The game was then emphatically sealed in the fourth quarter with Zachman’s two pivotal interceptions, ensuring the shutout victory for the Badgers.

Miami (Ohio)’s offensive struggles were evident, particularly with quarterback Dequan Finn, a former Mid-American Conference MVP, completing only 9 of 18 passes for 83 yards and two interceptions. The Redhawks, who returned no offensive starters from their 9-5 team last season, also managed a meager 34 rushing yards on 22 carries.

The Badgers now anxiously await updates on Edwards’ injury, a concerning echo of past quarterback woes that saw Tanner Mordecai miss time in 2023 and Tyler Van Dyke suffer an ACL tear. The hope within the program is that this latest injury is less severe, allowing the team to continue building on this promising defensive start to the season.