Wisconsin seeks its first 2-0 start since 2020 when it hosts FCS program South Dakota
South Dakota (1-0) at Wisconsin (1-0), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
BetMGM College Football Odds: No line
Series record: Wisconsin leads 2-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Wisconsin is seeking its first 2-0 start since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Wisconsin is 19-1 against teams from the Missouri Valley Conference, a Football Championship Subdivision league. South Dakota will be aiming for its first win over a Football Bowl Subdivision program since winning 35-27 at Bowling Green in 2017.
KEY MATCHUP
South Dakota’s running game vs. Wisconsin’s run defense: Wisconsin won its season opener 28-14 over Western Michigan but allowed the Broncos to have some success running the ball. The Broncos gained 120 yards on 33 carries. South Dakota is eager to see how it handles a giant step up in competition after rushing for 266 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-3 blowout of Division II program Northern State.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
South Dakota: WR Carter Bell is coming off a 2023 season in which he caught 52 passes for 908 yards. He has 140 career catches for 2,164 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s also dangerous on special teams. In South Dakota’s season opener, Bell scored on a 55-yard punt return.
Wisconsin: RBs Chez Mellusi and Tawee Walker combined to run for 140 yards on 34 carries against Western Michigan. Mellusi had 74 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts in his return from a leg injury that limited him to four games last season. Walker, an Oklahoma transfer, rushed for 66 yards and one score on 15 carries. On each of their touchdowns, they bounced off defenders on their way to the end zone.
FACTS & FIGURES
Wisconsin is 17-2 in nonconference home games over the last 10 seasons. The only losses came against BYU in 2018 and Washington State in 2022. … South Dakota scored on a kickoff return and a punt return in its season opener. Keyondray Jones-Logan had a 97-yard kickoff return to go along with Bell’s punt return. … Wisconsin had two 16-play drives and two 14-play drives against Western Michigan, though it also didn’t have a single play from scrimmage go longer than 17 yards. … South Dakota coach Bob Nielson is seeking his 230th career victory. … South Dakota linebackers coach Elijah Hodge played at Wisconsin from 2006-08. … Wisconsin defensive coordinator Mike Tressel was a graduate assistant at South Dakota from 1996-97.
TOP PHOTO: FILE – Wisconsin running back Chez Mellusi (6) is pictured during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Oct. 30, 2021, in Madison, Wis. Mellusi says he has reached out to former Clemson teammate and current Green Bay Packers wide receiver Amari Rodgers for advice on recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File)