MADISON, Wis. — Jonathan Taylor had two long touchdown runs, while Alex Hornibrook threw for 257 yards and two scores as No. 4 Wisconsin opened the season with a 34-3 victory over Western Kentucky on Friday night at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin won its 40th-consecutive non-conference game at home, the fifth-longest streak by an FBS team in the modern era (since 1946). The victory also gave the Badgers a winning home opener for the 23rd consecutive season, dating back to 1996. Only Florida (28 entering Saturday) owns a longer active streak.
Working in seven new starters, the Badgers' young defense helped propel the home team past sluggish offensive play. UW's defense allowed only three first downs and 79 yards in the first half, while forcing two turnovers inside their own 5.
The Hilltoppers utilized pressures and blitzes against Wisconsin's vaunted line, earning three sacks against UW quarterback Alex Hornibrook. But a Conference USA team picked to finish fifth in its division couldn't take advantage of the Badgers' season-opening jitters.
Wisconsin's A.J. Taylor paced the short-handed receiving corps with five catches for 85 yards, while Garrett Groshek turned a screen pass into a 43-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for a 31-point lead. The Badgers finished with a flurry, scoring on five of six drives after punting on three of their first four possessions.
Taylor finished with 145 yards on 18 carries and looked ready to build on last year's strong performance when he rushed for an FBS-record 1,977 yards as a freshman. Three tight ends and the Badgers' burly offensive line helped spring Taylor for a 47-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Taylor scored from 30 yards with 3:48 left in the second quarter as the Badgers closed the first half with 14 unanswered points. He had 100 yards and 11 carries by the half, when the Badgers held a 24-0 lead.
Senior running back
Taiwan Deal also ran for 53 yards on 8 carries, seeing his first action since the 2016 Cotton Bowl.
Known as a passing team last season in coach Mike Sanford's first season, Western Kentucky tried to keep Wisconsin off-balance early with read-option plays, but failed to shut down the Badgers. The Hilltoppers punted on the first six possessions, including four three-and-outs. A trick play flopped too when receiver Quin Jernighan's fluttering pass for Eckels from the 10 was picked off by Wisconsin cornerback Faion Hicks in the third quarter.
Preseason All-American linebacker T.J. Edwards had seven tackles for the Badgers, leading a UW defense that impressed fans. The Badgers' young secondary featured three first-year starters who had a solid opener. Safety Scott Nelson, in particular, played well with seven tackles and two pass-breakups, and showed a propensity to deliver hard hits. Hicks, a fellow redshirt freshman, finished with three tackles. It was a confidence-building night for a unit that will face tougher tests later this season.
Wisconsin stays home next week to host New Mexico on Saturday in the second of three straight nonconference home games to open the season
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The Associated Press contributed to this article
