Badgers PFF grades: Best, worst players from win over Western Michigan
Here are the Wisconsin's best and worst-graded players from Week 1.
In a game that came down to the wire, the Wisconsin Badgers (1-0) managed to escape with a 28-14 win over Western Michigan (0-1) in Friday's season opener, thanks to a fortunate break late in the fourth quarter.
Trailing 14-13 in the final period, the Badgers recaptured the momentum when junior safety Austin Brown recovered an Atticus Bertrams punt that ricocheted off a Broncos player's leg at the WMU 20-yard line. Three plays later, UW's offense found the end zone and went on to score the final 15 points, securing a victory at home.
Based on grades from Pro Football Focus, here are the best and worst players from the Badgers' Week 1 win over Western Michigan.
Top 5 Graded Players on Offense
1. WR Trech Kekahuna: 76.6
2. QB Tyler Van Dyke: 75.8
3. TE Tucker Ashcraft: 75.5
4. RB Tawee Walker: 75.2
5. TE Riley Nowakowski: 72.4
Kekahuna caught three passes, all of which went for first downs, for 34 yards in just 17 snaps on offense. Van Dyke took what was given to him and completed 21-of-36 pass attempts for 192 yards while rushing for 21 yards and a score on the ground.
Ashcraft looked improved as a blocker and turned three targets into two catches for 22 yards. Walker led the Badgers backfield in snaps played (39) and ran for 66 yards on 15 carries. Nowakowski had three targets and hauled in two catches for 22 yards.
Top 5 Graded Players on Defense
1. LB Jaheim Thomas: 85.5
2. DL Elijah Hills: 75.1
3. OLB John Pius: 72.8
4. LB Christian Alliegro: 72.6
5. CB Max Lofy: 71.4