BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Shortly after Wisconsin inside linebacker
Jack Cichy got the devastating news that his season was over before it began, a text popped up on his phone.
Cichy read it and immediately became emotional.
It was a question from fellow senior, teammate and close friend Troy Fumagalli, who wanted to know if he could honor Cichy by wearing his jersey No. 48 during the season opener vs. Utah State.
Cichy, who underwent surgery last month to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is sidelined for the season, quickly replied with his approval.
"It meant the world to me," Cichy said. "For him to want to want to show that and just kind of make that statement, that meant a lot."
Fumagalli gave the gesture greater meaning when he helped propel ninth-rated UW to a 59-10 non-conference victory over the Aggies at Camp Randall Stadium.
A preseason All-America tight end, Fumagalli caught five passes for a career-best 105 yards and a third-quarter touchdown that seemingly jarred the Badgers from a first-half slumber.
Fumagalli finished off the opening drive of the second half by hauling in a 23-yard scoring strike from sophomore quarterback Alex Hornibrook.
The hook-up gave UW its first lead of the night and spawned a run of 59 unanswered points, turning a potential disaster into a runaway.
Fumagalli later pulled down a pass over the middle from Hornibrook, made a nifty side-step around a defender and ran for a 44-yard gain in the fourth quarter that set up 6-yard TD run by senior fullback Austin Ramesh.
Asked about the silent tribute to his former roommate, Fumagalli struck a serious postgame pose.
"I know it would mean the world for him to be out there," he said of Cichy. "He's a great leader and player and I just wanted to do anything I could to represent him out there and let him know we're always thinking about him."
Cichy, who was injured in practice Aug. 10, spent the opener in sweats, T-shirt and knee brace. He spoke with and high-fived teammates during pregame drills. He then adjourned to the press box for the game, wearing a headset to share insights with coaches and players on the sideline.
"When he asked that," Cichy said of Fumagalli's request, "it was really a moving question. I told him I'd be so honored.
"That's one of the most moving things I've had someone say to me. That was really special."
The gesture was a two-way street.
"It means a lot to me, too," Fumagalli said.
It wasn't the only heartfelt tribute made by a Wisconsin player on a cool, moonlit evening.
Sophomore wide receiver Quintez Cephus caught his first career touchdown pass, a 21-yard bolt from Hornibrook with time winding down in the third quarter.
No sooner did Cephus glide into the end zone, he looked and pointed skyward.
In early April, during spring practice, Cephus learned that his father, Andre Taylor, had been shot outside a convenience store in Macon, Georgia. Taylor later died, sending Cephus into a temporary spiral.
Teammates and UW wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore were there for Cephus to lean on. Cephus eventually regained his bearings, had a strong showing in preseason drills and emerged as a starter.
"Just finally getting one," he said of his breakthrough TD and quiet tribute to his father. "Just a feeling of proud for him and for me."
Cephus finished the night with three catches for 38 yards. He was one of seven targets who caught at least one pass from Hornibrook, who finished the night 15 for 23 for a career-high 244 yards and three TDs.
The Badgers began to click after an opening half where they lost a fumble, rang up six penalties, generated a paltry 107 yards of total offense and spotted Utah State a 10-0 lead.
"It was a moment where we had to stand up," Cephus said. "After that, the tables turned."
Fumagalli will go back to wearing No. 81 for the rest of the season. He hopes the primary lesson learned Friday night will be enduring.
"To be the team we want to be, we have to do it together," he said. "No one's going to do it for us."
