BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
GREEN BAY — During a casual 30-minute walk-through at Lambeau Field late Friday afternoon, members of the Wisconsin football team laughed, joked and generally soaked in a rare experience.
Dressed in gray sweats, players and coaches milled about inside one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, a brilliant blue sky overhead.
A day later, the place would be packed and loud as the Badgers opened a new season facing fifth-ranked LSU in the first Lambeau Field College Classic.
But now it was empty and still and, for the players, one task dominated the moment.
Doing a Lambeau Leap as selfies were snapped and videos rolled.
Junior outside linebacker T.J. Watt tried to launch himself atop the padded wall in the south end zone, but couldn't do so without some assistance.
That was definitely not the case late Saturday afternoon. Seconds after Wisconsin pulled off the biggest upset of opening day, a raspy, draining 16-14 win before a crowd of 77,823, Watt was among two dozen or so UW players who made the celebratory leap with ease.
"I tried it yesterday, but I couldn't get up there by myself," Watt said. "But today I had so much joy — so much stuff to overcome; all the injuries I've been through — this is an awesome feeling right now. Jumping up and celebrating with the fans, it's an unbelievable experience."
The Badgers knocked off a top-five non-conference opponent for the first time since 1974 — a 21-20 decision over fourth-ranked Nebraska at Camp Randall Stadium — in large part because of junior kicker Rafael Gaglianone and their defense.
Gaglianone was perfect on three field goals, including a 47-yarder with 3 minutes, 47 seconds left that erased a 14-13 deficit. It held up thanks to a most resilient bunch.
UW surrendered just 257 yards to an offense most national analysts described as dynamic. The Tigers came into the day with a veteran line and the nation's top returning rusher in junior tailback Leonard Fournette, who sat atop almost every list of Heisman Trophy contenders when the weekend began.
Fournette got his numbers — 138 yards on 23 carries and three receptions for 38 yards — and certainly left an impression on those charged with bringing him to the ground.
"He's the real deal and deserves all the hype," UW sophomore inside linebacker Ryan Connelly said.
"He's as advertised," senior outside linebacker Vince Biegel said.
But Fournette had but 35 yards in the first half and never found his way to the end zone.
"At the end of the day he puts his shoes on just like I do, so no worries there," Watt said.
The foundation for this upset was built back in April when UW coach Paul Chryst astutely brought his club to town to practice, stay overnight and get some of its curiosities addressed about the assignment.
At one point during a meeting at the team hotel, Biegel, one of the captains, got up and told his teammates that they'd prevail if they stuck together.
"When we were here in Green Bay in the spring, I told them, 'I believe in you guys. All the outside noise doesn't matter. It's the men in this locker room,'" he said.
Guys like Connelly, who came off the bench for an injured Chris Orr on the first defensive snap and played like a seasoned vet with seven tackles.
"Ryan played lights-out without any falloff," junior inside linebacker Jack Cichy said. "I felt just as comfortable with him as I did with Chris.
"I was happy to see him kind of blossom like that. I know what he's capable and he definitely lived up to his potential today."
Connelly credited Justin Wilcox, the defensive coordinator who oversees inside linebackers, for getting him ready.
"it's all about taking mental reps during the week, and I think that really paid off," Connelly said.
There were guys like Cichy, who led the Badgers with eight tackles and forced a fumble.
"We came in and we know what we're capable of," he said. "We just wanted to control the line of scrimmage.
"They got a couple shots on us, but I feel it was a four-round slugfest and we came out on top."
There were guys like junior cornerback Derrick Tindal and junior strong safety D'Cota Dixon, who had interceptions on a day that the Badgers forced three turnovers and fought LSU to a draw in giveaways.
The pick by Tindal ended the first half. The theft by Dixon came sealed the win with 57 seconds left and the Tigers within range of a potential game-winning field goal.
"We played out hearts out and I'm sure happy we came out with a win," Biegel said after recording four tackles, including a quarterback sack. "It's a good start."
Actually, work on the foundation of this upset began in January when Dave Aranda, the highly-regarded defensive coordinator for the Badgers, left Madison to sign on with LSU.
While happy for Aranda, UW players spoke of wanting to give him something to think about Saturday as he walked the visitor's sideline.
"I didn't think about it as much as most people," Watt said, "but when I made a play I made sure to look over and let him know."
Chryst hired Wilcox, the former USC defensive coordinator, to oversee the unit. Whatever questions that decision generated were tempered with the performance against LSU.
"Coach Wilcox put together a phenomenal game plan and these guys went out and executed it," Watt said after his first career start.
"I think there's men on this team that played with a chip on their shoulder today," Biegel said. "We're fortunate to have Justin Wilcox and we're going to ride him the rest of the season as defensive coordinator. I'm excited about what the future holds for us."
For months now, UW players and coaches have fielded questions about the schedule, one that had five ranked opponents in the first seven games.
Not only was one crossed off the list Saturday, a message has been sent to the others in the process.
"It just prepares us to continue to build the momentum," Biegel said. "It's a good start."
One that created memories to live forever.
"The leap was everything I could hope for," Cichy said. "I was swarmed by a bunch of Wisconsinites."
