:format(webp)/https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/content/dam/thestar/sports/football/ncaa/2022/09/01/no-18-wisconsin-opens-by-hosting-fcs-school-illinois-state/20220831130856-630fa11e0e4c200aa58c399djpeg.jpg "No. 18 Wisconsin opens by internet hosting FCS college Illinois State")
Illinois State (0-0) at No. 18 Wisconsin (0-0), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (FS1)
Line: No line, in response to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Collection file: First assembly.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Wisconsin is making an attempt to begin on a greater observe after dropping three of its first 4 video games final season, together with a 16-10 dwelling loss to Penn State in its opener. Illinois State is trying to have a two-game successful streak over Large Ten opponents after successful 9-7 at Northwestern in 2016. The Redbirds have misplaced all eight of their different matchups with Large Ten groups.
KEY MATCHUP
Wisconsin’s operating sport vs. Illinois State’s run protection: Illinois State’s probabilities of staying within the sport depends upon whether or not it might probably keep away from getting rolled over by Wisconsin’s high-powered speeding assault. Braelon Allen is an Related Press All-America second-team choice who rushed for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns final season. He’s joined by Chez Mellusi, who ran for 815 yards in 9 video games final season earlier than tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. Isaac Guerendo, additionally again from a season-ending harm, brings breakaway velocity to Wisconsin’s backfield. Illinois State’s protection is led by linebacker Zeke Vandenburgh, a preseason first-team all-Missouri Valley Convention choice.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Illinois State: RB Cole Mueller rushed for 977 yards final season and ranked twentieth amongst all FCS gamers with 88.8 yards speeding per sport. He ranked second in MVC freshman of the 12 months balloting final season.
Wisconsin: LB Nick Herbig is one other preseason AP All-America second-team choice. He collected 14 1/2 tackles for loss and 9 sacks final season whereas serving to Wisconsin enable the fewest yards per sport or yards per play of any Soccer Bowl Subdivision crew.
FACTS & FIGURES
This sport marks the debut of Wisconsin offensive coordinator Bobby Engram, the previous Baltimore Ravens tight ends coach and the daddy of Badgers receiver Dean Engram. … Herbig, Keeanu Benton and defensive finish Isaiah Mullens are the one Wisconsin gamers again on protection who began the vast majority of the Badgers’ video games final season. … Wisconsin went 9-4 and beat Arizona State within the Las Vegas Bowl final season. Illinois State went 4-7. … Illinois State has three wins over FBS groups underneath Brock Spack, who’s coming into his 14th season because the Redbirds’ coach. Illinois State beat Japanese Michigan in 2012 and Colorado State in 2018 in addition to producing that 2016 upset of Northwestern.
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Extra AP school soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
