Badgers PFF grades: Best, worst players from win over South Dakota
Here are Wisconsin's best and worst-graded players from Week 2.
Luke Fickell and the Wisconsin Badgers football team improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2020 after grinding out a 27-13 win over South Dakota at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday.
Holding onto a narrow 20-13 lead in the fourth quarter, senior running back Chez Mellusi punched it in on a crucial 4th and goal from the 1-yard line, putting the game out of reach.
With the win, the Badgers improved to 18-2 in non-conference home games over the last 10 seasons.
“Games aren’t ever going to be perfect,” Fickell told reporters. “But the way that this team has responded when things aren’t going our way, that gives me a lot of confidence going forward.”
Based on Pro Football Focus grades, here are the best and worst players (10 snap minimum) from the Badgers' Week 2 win over South Dakota.
Top 5 Graded Players on Offense
1. RB Cade Yacamelli: 83.0
2. OL Kevin Heywood: 74.3
3. QB Tyler Van Dyke: 73.1
4. WR Bryson Green: 71.4
5. WR Will Pauling: 71.1
Yacamelli had his second straight impactful game for the Badgers at running back. Filling in for Tawee Walker, Yacamelli carried the ball eight times for 73 yards. He also caught two passes for 13 yards, had five first downs, forced six missed tackles, and averaged 4.5 YPC after contact.
Heywood, appearing in his second collegiate game, played 13 snaps at right tackle and didn't allow any pressure. Van Dyke completed 17-of-27 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. More notably, the Miami transfer connected on two throws of 20+ yards in the passing game.
Green finished with three receptions for 38 yards, while Pauling caught a team-high four passes for 48 yards.
Top 5 Graded Players on Defense
1. LB Tackett Curtis: 82.6
2. DL Curt Neal: 77.0
3. S Austin Brown: 76.8
4. CB Nyzier Fourqurean: 74.4
5. LB Jaheim Thomas: 71.3