Replay: Wisconsin 38, Buffalo 17; Chez Mellusi, Braelon Allen both clear 100 yards

One of the more anticipated seasons in recent memory for the Wisconsin Badgers football team opened with a 38-17 nonconference win over Buffalo Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

JR Radcliffe provided providing live updates and analysis from the press box.

FINAL: Wisconsin 38, Buffalo 17

It was an ugly first half, but Wisconsin never trailed and pulls away from Buffalo in the second half. Tanner Mordecai threw two interceptions in his debut, but Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi both ran for more than 100 yards and finished with two scores. Luke Fickell's first home game at Camp Randall Stadium is a victory.

Hope you enjoyed the blog!

Tanner Mordecai just completed a pass ... to himself

Mordecai, who already has two interceptions, had another pass batted right back into his arms, and he caught it before getting taken down for a 1-yard loss. It's been a complicated day for Mordecai.

He completes a third-down pass to Keontez Lewis and it's marked shy of the first-down just across midfield but "after an expedited review" was determined to be a first down after UW lined up for a fourth-down play.

Jackson Acker is getting some carries now to wind this one down.

Badgers get a turnover on downs and it's academic now

There's still 3:43 to go, but after Darryl Peterson flushed Cole Snyder waaaay into the backfield, a fourth-down pass fell incomplete, and the Badgers have the ball at their own 44-yard line.

Wisconsin didn't dominate this game to the level I'm sure Badgers fans preferred, but it will go down as a convincing win.

Jordan Turner disqualified for targeting

Bad news for the Badgers, Jordan Turner just picked up a targeting penalty that got him ejected from the rest of the game, and that means he'll miss the first half of next week's game against Washington State, as well.

It's a bad development in any circumstance, but especially in a game that's in hand.

BRAELON ALLEN ANOTHER TOUCHDOWN

Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi have a couple things in common now; both have more than 100 yards rushing and both have two touchdowns.

Allen hits the corner for 22 yards and Wisconsin answers quickly against a Buffalo team that is probably a bit gassed at this point. Allen up to 141 yards on 17 carries (8.3 average) to accompany Chez Mellusi's 157 yards on 13 carries (12.1).

On a day Badgers fans expected to see a new-look passing attack, UW relying on its powerful 1-2 running back combination is unquestionably the story of the day.

WISCONSIN 38, BUFFALO 17, 6:38/4th

Touchdown, Buffalo

A gorgeous ball from Cole Snyder to Cole Harrity is good for another touchdown, and the Bulls are back within two touchdowns.

It's Harrity's second touchdown of the day, both on similar routes. If Buffalo had converted its first interception into points, this would be a dramatically different complexion.

UW has to salt away the last 8 minutes.

WISCONSIN 31, BUFFALO 17, 7:43/4th

Buffalo tried the onside squib and Wisconsin recovered, so the Badgers have it at the Buffalo 46-yard line to start.

Well ... is it over? Mordecai just threw another interception, and the Bulls have great field position

Tanner Mordecai's second interception of the game was just as ugly as the first, right into the arms of a leaping Shaun Dolac, who then returned it down to the UW 11-yard line. Not a good pass at all, and now Buffalo has a sign of life with 8:19 to go in this game.

Two picks for Mordecai in his Badgers debut to accompany one touchdown pass.

Bulls convert one fourth down, but not another as defensive line comes up big again

Buffalo is now 1 of 13 on third down, but the Bulls did convert on 4th and 6, and Cole Snyder is leading his team back down the field as the shadows get longer here at Camp Randall Stadium.

The defensive line stuffed the subsequent 3rd and 1, and then kept the Bulls short on a quarterback sneak. Just a tremendous effort from the defensive front for UW today.

There's still 9:35 left in this game, but let's be honest. It's over.

Buffalo gets a stop in the red zone, but Badgers get the field goal

Wisconsin winds up facing 4th and 5 from the 19 and elects to take the field goal. It's the first chance for transfer Nathanial Vakos, whose 37-yarder slices through. It's a six-play scoring drive.

WISCONSIN 31, BUFFALO 10, 13:45/4th

END THIRD QUARTER: Badgers up 28-10 and looking for more

Wisconsin will snap it from the Buffalo 20-yard line on a 2nd and 6 play when the fourth quarter resumes. The Badgers just churned out 205 yards of offense in that quarter.

• Tanner Mordecai: 19 of 25 for 180 yards and about to experience his first Jump Around. One touchdown, one interception.

• Chez Mellusi: 12 carries for 157 yards, two touchdowns. 13.1 average.

• Braelon Allen: 14 carries, 95 yards, a touchdown, 19 years old, 6.8 average. Also five catches for 25 yards.

• Will Pauling: Five catches for 55 yards.

• Hunter Wohler and Jordan Turner: Seven tackles each.

True freshman Tucker Ashcraft makes another big catch

True freshman Tucker Ashcraft now has two catches for 36 yards, and both plays went for first downs. With a tight-end room besieged by injury, he is certainly making a name for himself.

Badgers have the ball on the Buffalo 24-yard line, with a first down and another stoppage for an injured Bulls player.

The third quarter has come to an end.

Yet another third-down stop for Badgers

Alexander Smith makes the tackle in one-on-one for no gain and Buffalo is thwarted on 3rd and 10, a drive that began behind the 8-ball after an unsportsmanlike penalty on the kickoff. The Bulls have made some mistakes that have drawn flags here in the second half, and that has certainly hurt their cause.

Buffalo now just 1 of 12 on third down. A glaring difference between the two teams today.

Wisconsin gets to start right at midfield, a far cry from the poor field position of the last drive. Looking to keep the pedal to the floor with 1:41 to go before the fourth quarter.

TOUCHDOWN, WISCONSIN AND BRAELON ALLEN

The Big Fella is showing that he's still the man.

Allen's determined six-yard touchdown run capped another Badgers drive and UW has now grabbed a 27-10 lead with 2:37 to go in the third quarter. Throw in another Vakos extra point to make it 28-10.

One play earlier, Allen leveled one would-be tackler as part of a 37-yard run that landed the Badgers at the 6- yard line. He's up to 14 carries for 95 yards and is on the cusp of becoming the second UW rusher to clear 100 yards in this game.

Two plays before Allen's long run, Will Pauling picked up 20 yards on a short pass, and now it seems like UW is getting some of the chunk plays that had eluded it in the first half.

Eight plays, 97 yards, 3:13. These are the type of drives you'd expect from UW in the opener.

WISCONSIN 28, BUFFALO 10, 2:37/3rd.

Braelon Allen going to work now for Badgers

Mellusi has been the star today, but Braelon Allen is still one of Wisconsin's star players. He's gotten four touches in a row, including a first-down run, a something-out-of-nothing short gain and a reception on a swing pass good for six yards.

Shaun Dolac is down for Buffalo, and that's a huge loss for the Bulls (though he ultimately gets up and jogs off). He's got six tackles today and is probably the best defensive player Buffalo has. Plus, there was a hands-to-the-face penalty that added 15 yards to Wisconsin's run, so after being pinned deep, UW now has the ball at its own 37-yard line.

If UW scores here, the Badgers might be out of the woods. That's a Taylor Swift reference, yes.

Freshman's viral Taylor Swift rendition played at Camp Randall

They just played freshman quarterback Cole LaCrue's haunting/hilarious rendition of Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" on the video board. Welcome to Madison, Cole.

Jake Chaney with another stuff as Wisconsin continues to shine on third down

The defense does its part to keep the momentum going this time. Buffalo scored on drives immediately after UW scores in the first half, but not this time. Jake Chaney stuffs a 3rd and short.

The Bulls are now 1 for 10 on third down and 0 for 1 on fourth down. Chaney has four tackles today, including one for loss.

The punt, though, is a good one, and Wisconsin will be pinned inside its own 3-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN WISCONSIN HOLY SMOKES

Chez Mellusi just went 89 yards. It was amazing.

Mellusi was patient on his way through the line on a first-down carry then weaved his way all the way down the field in a big play UW badly, badly needed. He juked out at least four defenders on his way to the house. Two Bulls players even ran into each other!

Mellusi is up to 151 yards with 10 carries and has been the star of the show.

His previous career-high carry was 60 yards. LOL. The drive was announced as lasting 15 seconds. Vakos added the extra point.

WISCONSIN 21, BUFFALO 10, 8:28/3rd

Social media reacts to: Chez Mellusi's 89-yard touchdown run in Wisconsin football team's game

Buffalo hit with personal foul penalty that kills drive

Guard Gabe Wallace was just flagged for a personal-foul penalty in a game with very few flags, and that's a huge setback for Buffalo, sending the Bulls to 3rd and 18 from their own 46 after they had crossed into UW territory. Got cited for a late hit.

Buffalo punted after the next pass fell short of its target, but Wisconsin is pushed back to its own 11-yard line. There's 8:43 left in the third quarter and it's still a one-score game.

Badgers go three and out after draw play falls short

On 3rd and 4, Tanner Mordecai tried a designed rush but this time Dolac got there, tripping him up for a 2-yard loss. So the Badgers have to punt right back to the Bulls.

It's not a great punt, either, trickling out of bounds at the UW 43-yard line.

Jordan Turner with a key tackle to force fourth down and UW gets it back

Jordan Turner tracked down Mike Washington from behind and tackled him for no gain, setting up 4th and 2 from the Buffalo 40-yard line. The Bulls punt, so Wisconsin has negated Buffalo's advantage of getting the ball to start the half.

The punt rolls into the end zone (it wasn't entirely clear it would make it, but it does) and Wisconsin will start with the ball at the 20.

Turner had a rough offseason but comes back as one of the team's top returning tacklers.

Second hottest game in Camp Randall history

Zach Heilprin points out that the 88-degree temperature at kickoff makes this the second-warmest game in Camp Randall history, behind only the 90-degree opener against UNLV in 2011.

The 76,224 fans here for the sellout are brave. It's not getting colder, either!

Buffalo starts the second half on its own 21-yard line and gets an 11-yard rush on first down.

Plays of the first half that stick out include Tanner Mordecai's scramble and Buffalo's near-misses

Tanner Mordecai winning a one-on-one scramble situation vs. Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac to claw for three yards and a first down could have been a huge third-down stop for Buffalo but enabled UW to move the chains and ultimately score a touchdown. That's probably the biggest play of the first half thus far, especially after Mordecai slid well short of the sticks to miss converting a first down earlier in the half.

UW got some serious breaks, too. Safety Devin Grant should have housed Mordecai's interception but stumbled. Then, Buffalo couldn't hold on to a contested touchdown pass and the team's kicker (who, by the way, showed he can hit a 52-yarder) went wide left. Buffalo should have had some points there.

Obviously, Cole Snyder finding Darrell Harding for 51 yards down the sideline set up a touchdown and turned this game on its head. Buffalo has answered both of UW's scores with quick points on the next drive.

HALFTIME: Wisconsin 14, Buffalo 10

Yikes, that's not what Badgers fans were anticipating.

The new-look Badgers weren't able to do enough on offense to turn this game into a laugher against a MAC opponent. Buffalo even took a late first-half punch and answered with a long field goal.

The Badgers have an edge in yardage, 226-186. That would be very different if Buffalo hadn't converted on a 51-yard pass play and Skyler Bell had held on to a ball that would have been worth 60 yards and a score, but that's how it's been.

Tanner Mordecai is 15 of 20 for 125 yards with a touchdown and interception that handed Buffalo a red-zone opportunity but somehow didn't result in points.

Chez Mellusi has 62 yards rushing on nine carries with a touchdown. Braelon Allen has 38 yards on eight carries and also four catches for 18 yards. Will Pauling, Bryson Green and Skyler Bell all have three catches, though it's Chimere Dike who has the receiving touchdown.

Hunter Wohler has six tackles to lead the Badgers. Darryl Peterson has four to lead a defensive front that has stepped up for several big stops in short-yardage situations.

McNulty hits a 52-yard field goal to cap discouraging drive for UW

Alex McNulty makes up for his missed field goal earlier with a 52-yard boomer in the final 10 seconds, lining it through the uprights to pull Buffalo back within 4 points. Discouraging for UW, which took a 14-7 lead with just 1:00 remaining on the first half clock.

Kamo'i Latu very nearly came down with an interception on the third-down pass into double coverage.

Only 7 seconds left before halftime, and Buffalo will have the ball to start the third quarter.

Badgers need to call timeout as Buffalo on a last-minute march

Buffalo is using those last-minute vibes to its advantage, already inside the 40-yard line of Wisconsin driving down the field, and still 24 seconds to go.

Cole Snyder is 12 of 17 for 122 yards thus far at quarterback for Buffalo.

TOUCHDOWN, WISCONSIN

Tanner Mordecai throws a dart to Chimere Dike inside the 10-yard line, and he eludes a man for the rest of the yardage to get into the end zone. What a relief, and that scramble by Mordecai might be the play we all remember from this game.

Vakos adds the extra point. Six plays, 55 yards, 2:08 of time on the drive, and the Dike connection goes into the book as a 29-yard pass play.

WISCONSIN 14, BUFFALO 7, 1:00/2nd

Tanner Mordecai converts a much-needed first down on a scramble

After a dangerous pass on second down into double coverage (nonetheless caught by Skyler Bell) created a 3rd and 3, Mordecai managed to shake Buffalo standout linebacker Shaun Dolac and scramble for the final yards before ducking out of bounds.

It didn't look promising, but UW moved the chains. Freshman Tucker Ashcraft then picks up some extra yardage after contact to pick up another first down.

It's first and 10 on the 29 of Buffalo with 1:13 left before the break.

Badgers defense comes up big again

Buffalo had a 3rd and 1 on the 22-yard line but got stuffed yet again, then the Bulls lined up to snap in on fourth down. I think it was a decoy, but a false start penalty on the center made the decision easier before the play clock expired.

UW will get the ball back with 3:08 to go at its own 45-yard line.

Badgers guilty of a hold and facing another deep hole

Chez Mellusi had a 19-yard gain but got stuffed on 1st and 10, and the Badgers were hit with the first flag of the day (not counting the kick out of bounds) when left tackle Jack Nelson was cited for holding. So it's 2nd and 20 from the UW 33 with 5:22 and counting left in the first half.

Yikes!

UW gets 6 yards backs to make it 3rd and 14 at the 39, and we have an injury timeout for a Buffalo player. It's nickelback Jalen McNair.

Mellusi, by the way is up to 62 yards rushing on nine carries (6.9 average).

Gio Paez pressure leads to a third-down stop

On 3rd and 6 from the 27, the Badgers get another stop. Gio Paez and others coaxed Cole Snyder to throw the ball away and set up a punt. But there's only 6:40 to go in the first half and the two teams are still knotted at 7.

The punt is a good one, and Chimere Dike can only bring it to the UW 25-yard line.

UW fans start booing when Badgers elect to punt in plus territory

It wouldn't be a Badgers football game without a punt from plus territory.

Granted, UW took a delay of game penalty, so it's back to the 47-yard line of Buffalo, at least. On 3rd and 5, Mordecai elected to keep it up the middle but slid down short of the first-down marker at the 42-yard line, leaving the Badgers 3 yards shy. It has not been a great day for the new quarterback so far, even though he's 10 of 14 for 70 yards.

Receivers Bryson Green and Will Pauling, both transfers into the program, have a combined five catches for 46 yards, although Braelon Allen just hauled in his team-leading fourth reception of the afternoon.

Buffalo misses the field goal!

Not sure I anticipated the Badgers needing breaks to take command of this game, but they've ogttan some any.

Alex McNulty, last year's MAC Special Teamer of the Year, sent a field goal that curved wide left, and UW will take over at its own 20-yard line, with the game still tied.

If Devin Grant keeps his feet, if Johnson can corral that touchdown pass, and if McNulty sends that through, Buffalo has points. Instead, Wisconsin gets a reset.

Buffalo NARROWLY misses a touchdown

It hasn't gotten better.

On 3rd and 10, Snyder dropped a beautiful pass to Marlyn Johnson, who bobbled the ball on his way down. It's ruled incomplete and under review, but it does look like the ball hit the turf. Badgers are extremely lucky. That was Jason Maitre in one-on-one coverage.

It's either 4th and 10 on the 16 or a Buffalo lead.

Oh man, Skyler Bell dropped a touchdown and then Buffalo INTERCEPTS it

We are on disaster watch.

On first down of the next series, Tanner Mordecai threw a brilliant ball to Skyler Bell over the middle that would have been a 60-yard touchdown, but Bell just straight dropped the ball.

Then, two players later, Mordecai dropped back and threw an interception straight to Devin Grant. I honestly thought he was gone off the bat, but he stumbled and fell at the 16-yard line. Buffalo, though, is knocking on the door of a lead.

There's 12:26 to go in the first half.

Mordecai did throw his share of interceptions at SMU. Pass was intended for freshman tight end Tucker Ashcraft.

Buffalo executes some trickery but Wisconsin gets fourth-down stop

With Cole Snyder looking to the sideline for a play, Buffalo snapped the ball directly to running back Ron Cook, who got a first down on the play on a gain of five yards.

But Buffalo got to the 40-yard line on a third down gain and faced 4th and 1, then rushed to the line to run a play that Wisconsin stuffed. That's a turnover on downs back to Wisconsin. Tremendous work by UW's defensive front.

Some first quarter stats

Thanks to a 51-yard pass play, Buffalo is averaging 7.9 yards per play, and quarterback Cole Snyder is 6 for 6 through the first quarters, good for 72 yards and a score.

The Badgers have rushed for 68 yards (4.9 per carry) but Wisconsin's overall yardage edge is just 105-95.

Chez Mellusi has 37 yards and a touchdown for UW. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai is 6 for 7 in his Badgers debut but for only 37 yards.

Hunter Wohler with an eye-popping hit, but Bulls still making progress as first quarter ends

Hunter Wohler, the Muskego safety who is primed for a big-time season, delivered a big hit to shut down the previous play after a short gain, but Buffalo has a first down on its own 39 after a series of positive plays.

That's the end of the first quarter, and it's all square. Probably too early to get nervous. But unsettled, maybe.

Wisconsin punts yet again

On 3rd and 1 near midfield, Braelon Allen was ambushed in the backfield by Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock, and the Badgers have to punt the ball away. Allen is up to 32 yards rushing, but the Bulls now have the ball in a tie game with 2:10 to go.

It's 1st and 10 on the Buffalo 15-yard line.

WHOA, Touchdown, Buffalo

Out of the timeout, Cole Snyder found wide open Darrell Harding down the right sideline, and he ran the ball 51 yards down to the 8-yard line. The first big breakdown of the year on defense, and it nearly cost the Badgers six points.

Two plays later, the Bulls were in the end zone. Cole Harrity was open in the corner, with safety help from Kamo'i Latu far too late.

And just like that, it's 7-7. That's a five-play, 65 yard drive in 2:09.

WISCONSIN 7, BUFFALO 7, 5:07/1st

Rough kickoff for Badgers, but Bulls then use first timeout

Jack Van Dyke handled the ensuing kickoff and sent it out of bounds, giving Buffalo the ball at the 35-yard line.

But the Badgers immediately forced Buffalo into a 3rd and 4, and then the Bulls called timeout with 6:21 to go in the first quarter.

TOUCHDOWN, WISCONSIN

Thanks to some blocks on the left side of the line from Hayden Rucci and Jack Nelson, Chez Mellusi surges in for the first touchdown of the season, a 1-yard run that gives the Badgers the first points of the day with 7:16 left in the first quarter. The play was reviewed and upheld. Nathanial Vakos handled the extra point.

Here's how the sequence went after the Badgers got to midfield:

• Will Pauling with an 11-yard completion off play action before he steps out of bounds.

• Braelon Allen took a swing pass for 4 yards then burrowed through the line for a gain of 13 yards to the 21-yard line.

• Chez Mellusi rumbled for another 14 yards to the 7-yard line, then picked up another couple to the 5.

• Mellusi ran it down to the 1-yard line, tackled just shy of the end zone to set up 3rd and 1. He's up to seven carries and 38 yards with the score (Braelon Allen has three carries for 28 yards).

WISCONSIN 7, BUFFALO 0, 7:15/1st

Chez Mellusi with a big gain to open next series

Chez Mellusi, the other running back with a ton of experience for UW, gets the first two carries out of the break. The first goes for 13 yards and puts the Badgers at the 40. The second picks up another 3 yards, and then Bryson Green is on the receiving end of Mordecai's first completed pass as a Badger, and it's a first down at midfield.

Wisconsin forces a 3-and-out

UW's offense is the flashy new toy, but the Badgers defense has been one of the strengths of this program for the last several years. It's starting on a strong note.

Alexander Smith made a tackle for loss on second down to set up a 3rd and 8, and quarterback Cole Snyder was tackled by Jake Chaney for a 4-yard gain to the 32-yard line after that, setting up a punt.

So both teams have had uninspiring starts on offense, and UW has the ball back on its own 27-yard line.

Wisconsin has to punt on first offensive series

Chimere Dike was back to receive the kick but had no chance; Alex McNulty's boot was out of the end zone.

Braelon Allen has 15 yards immediately on the first two carries of the game, but that's where things dried up. Mordecai's first pass was incomplete, intended for Bryson Green. Mordecai gets a short gain on second down with nobody open, so it's 3rd and 8 shy of midfield. He's sacked on third down at the 39-yard line.

Not the start Badgers fans were surely hoping for. It's going to be a first-drive punt. It's down inside the Buffalo 30-yard line.

Wisconsin will get the ball to start the game

Buffalo won the coin toss and deferred its decision to the second half, giving the Badgers the ball first to start the game. We'll get a look at Phil Longo's Air Raid offense right out the gate.

Here we go! The Luke Fickell Era begins (not counting last season's bowl game)!

Badgers getting set for kickoff

Purdue loses to Fresno State; the Badgers will be in Lafayette on a Friday night Sept. 22.

Iowa is in the final stages of finishing off Utah State, 24-14, and now the Badgers are up next on Fox Sports 1.

The student section is well past half full, for those concerned.

Receiver Chris Brooks Jr. also out for UW

Chris Brooks, who made some splashy plays early in Badgers offseason camp, has a boot on his left foot and is using crutches, so he won't be available either. He's not in the two-deep, but that's a function of the incredibly depth the Badgers have added at the position; he's still an intriguing prospect.

Elsewhere in the Big Ten: Is Purdue in trouble?

It's already been a topsy-turvy start to the Big Ten season after Thursday's night's chaotic Minnesota-Nebraska finish. Purdue is down to Fresno State, 32-28, with 8:13 to go in Lafayette.

Michigan is up big as expected, and Iowa is pulling away from Utah State.

Who are the names you need to know on Buffalo?

Lance Leipold isn't the coach anymore, of course. Now at Kansas, the former UW-Whitewater empire-overseer built the Bulls into a formidable program before handing the reins to Maurice Linguist.

On defense, Shaun Dolac is the biggest name to know. He recorded 147 tackles last year, the third-most in a single season in program history. He's a former walk-on who's now a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Award (best player who started his career as a walk-on). UW receiver Jared Abbrederis won that award in 2013.

Safety Marcus Fuqua has a lot of experience (and an awesome name), with seven interceptions last year to mark the most by a Buffalo player in the FBS era (since 1999).

On offense, quarterback Cole Snyder threw for more than 3,000 yards last year. He started his career in the Big Ten at Rutgers. Running back Ron Cook returns to an experienced offensive backfield, and guard Gabe Wallace is a force up front.

Defensive tackle Daymond Williams and kicker Alex McNulty were named first-team All-MAC in a preseason poll put together by Athlon Sports. Dolac and Fuqua were also on that list.

New vibe, new student section?

New Badgers coach Luke Fickell is hoping the students show up early, bucking a trend that has led to many many many many many complaints from alumni over the years: a late-arriving student crowd.

I will say this: In something you surely don't care about, the press box is about 10 times nicer than it was previously. It underwent a massive offseason renovation and ... man, it's so nice. Sorry to those of you in the stands on an 90 degree day!

More than an hour to go before kickoff, and they've already filed in the front couple sections directly behind the goal posts, so maybe the buzz around this team will be too irresistible for the student crowd today.

The breakout name you should memorize now: Maema Njongmeta

The Illinois native has been at UW since 2019 but played only one game those first two years, then saw action in six games in 2021. But learn how to pronounce it now, because you're going to hear it a lot. It's MOO-mah JONG-metta, by the way.

He turned down opportunities to play at Ivy League schools to come to Wisconsin, and finally last year, he saw his role increase and he led the team with 95 tackles, on his way to third-team All-Big Ten. His 89.9 grade by Pro Football Focus was the highest among returning linebackers at Power 5 schools.

As Zach Heilprin points out on Twitter, Njongmeta is not wearing a club on his right hand during warmups Saturday. He broke his thumb early in fall camp, underwent surgery and then wore the club in practice.

So which new names do you need to know?

In terms of transfers, there are so, so many. The Badgers depth chart features seven newcomers to the program as starters (including kicker Nathanial Vakos and punter Atticus Bertrams).

At the top of the list, naturally, is quarterback Tanner Mordecai. The SMU transfer will play his only season at UW with NFL aspirations. Wide receivers Bryson Green (Oklahoma State) and Will Pauling (Cincinnati) could make some eye-popping plays, as well.

Cornerback Jason Maitre is the only transfer in the starting defense, but expect to see defensive ends Jeff Pietrowski and Darian Varner as well as Nyzier Fourqueran a lot in the secondary.

True freshmen? We mention Tucker Ashcraft below, who's really showed up in camp and happens to play a position (tight end) where the Badgers are significantly short-handed. Bertrams will make an impact, and cornerback Jonas Duclona, who originally committed to Cincinnati before coming to Wisconsin with Luke Fickell, will likely see the field as well.

Wisconsin Badgers injury report for game vs Buffalo

Out:

• Michael Mack

• Trech Kekahuna

• Max Lofy

• Tommy McIntosh

• Riley Nowakowski

• Jackson Trudgeon

• Cam Large

• Jake Renfro

• Aaron Witt

• Peyton Lange

• Angel Toombs

• Jack Pugh

• Isaiah Mullens

We knew Jake Renfro and Isaiah Mullens would be sidelined with injuries and wrote about how their absence will be felt. Renfro is a transfer who was on track to be the team's starting center, but his absence means Tanor Bortolini flexes into that role, one where he's familiar as one of the team's most versatile linemen. He made one start at center last year among his 10 starts and has played there at times throughout his career.

Renfro isn't wearing a boot Saturday, which marks some progress. Joe Huber (starting guard) and Dylan Barrett could also play center.

With Riley Nowakowski and Jack Pugh unavailable, the team's tight-end depth is very thin. You're basically looking at returnee Hayden Rucci and true freshman Tucker Ashcraft, who is probably on the short list of true freshmen who can make a big impact today and all season thanks in part to the depleted tight-end ranks.

Michael Mack was hoping to receive a waiver to play after transferring from Air Force. So far, that has not come through.

Toombs and Trudgeon, both reserves, could miss the entire season.

Questionable:

• Grady O’Neill

What TV channel is Wisconsin football vs. Buffalo on?

The game is broadcast on Fox Sports 1.

Wisconsin vs Buffalo: How to watch the team's season opener

Wisconsin vs. Buffalo football game predictions

Wisconsin is a big favorite against Buffalo. Will the Badgers cover the 27 ½-point spread? Here are our beat reporters' predictions for Wisconsin vs. Buffalo.

Luke Fickell in Year 1: Can he flourish in his first season at Wisconsin? History suggests he will.

What should I know about Buffalo, Wisconsin football's opponent today in season opener?

Wisconsin's new quarterback Tanner Mordecai and the Badgers offense will have to contend with a Buffalo team that loves to create turnovers. Last year, the Bulls finished fifth nationally in turnovers forced.

Fifth-year senior Marcus Fuqua is the star of the secondary. He tied for the national lead in interceptions last season with seven to earn third-team All-American honors.

Nickel column: QB Tanner Mordecai focuses on smart, aggressive approach in new Wisconsin offense

What's former Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz up to?

Graham Mertz, who started three seasons at Wisconsin, transferred to Florida in the offseason and earned the starting job.

While Mertz threw for a career-best 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception, his Gators lost 24-11 to Utah on Thursday.

He was also sacked five times.

Badgers who left: UW football players and recruits departing after 2022

Newcomers: List of transfers and recruits for University of Wisconsin football ahead of 2023 season

Wisconsin football 2023 schedule

How can I buy tickets for Wisconsin football?

The athletic ticket office lobby is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday; Phone line hours are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-GO-BADGERS or 608-262-1440.

You can also email: tickets@UWBadgers.com

Where are former Wisconsin football coaches Paul Chryst and Jim Leonhard in 2023?

Paul Chryst, who was fired during the 2022 season, is a special assistant at Texas under head coach Steve Sarkisian.

Meanwhile, Jim Leonhard, who became the interim head coach in October 2022 after serving as the team's defensive coordinator for over five years, is now a senior football analyst at Illinois under former Badgers head coach Bret Bielema. Leonhard left the UW staff after last season’s bowl game.

Fickell takes over after six seasons in Cincinnati.

More: Where last year's Badgers football coaching staff (and some players) will be working in 2023

Former Badgers: These ex-UW football players made NFL 53-man rosters to start the season (plus the other Wisconsin ties, too)

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin vs Buffalo: UW scores opening win after shaky first half