Luke Fickell Press Conference Recap Ahead of Week 2 vs. Middle Tennessee

Following a 17-0 Week 1 against Miami (OH), the Wisconsin Badgers come into Week 2 ready to take on Middle Tennessee State on Saturday. The Blue Raiders, coming off a 34-14 loss to Austin Peay, will face Wisconsin for the first time in program history.

The season opener was a rollercoaster for the Badgers. While the defense was lights out, holding Miami (OH) to 0-9 on third downs, the offense was extremely shaky. A 3-0 first-half lead was highlighted by starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. exiting the game with a left knee sprain.

San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil would finish the game for Wisconsin, going 12-19 with 120 passing yards, two total touchdowns and an interception. Head coach Luke Fickell provided an update on Edwards, expectations for Week 2 and more in his press conference on Tuesday.

Fickell Provides a Billy Edwards Jr. Injury Update

Fickell started the press conference by stating that Edwards is likely out against Middle Tennessee. O’Neil will be the starter, and Hunter Simmons will serve as the backup.

“I don’t believe that Billy will be playing,” Fickell said. “He didn’t practice. So obviously, Danny would be the guy who we would go with. Hunter [Simmons] would be the backup, and we would just proceed from there.”

O’Neil threw for 2,181 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for the Aztecs. The start was expected despite Edwards being listed as week-to-week. Against the RedHawks, O’Neil started off a bit shaky, but got more comfortable as the game went on.

Expect Offensive Line Shifts in Week 2

The offensive line struggled noticeably against Miami (OH), which had many speculating whether or not there would be a shift. The Badgers suffered three sacks against the RedHawks, with both quarterbacks not having much time to operate due to struggles, particularly at the guard spots.

“We’ve gotta figure out what this combination is going to look like,” Fickell said. “It’s a long year. We’re going to need a lot of guys. We’ve been very fortunate over the last couple years with the o-line, to be able to keep those guys healthy… There will be some shuffling around. We’ll give some guys some other opportunities at different spots.

“But where we were in fall camp with being limited with some guys getting dinged up and missing some time, it didn’t give us as much opportunities to move those guys around and give guys opportunities at different spots, and even give guys greater opportunities to start, whether it’s JP [Benzschawel] or Kerry Kodanko… I think you’ll see some shuffling.”

Multiple Freshman Getting Big Opportunities Beyond Week 1

Before Week 1, Fickell noted that multiple freshmen, namely Eugene Hilton Jr. and Cairo Skanes, would get big opportunities. They did, with Hilton, son of former NFL star T.Y. Hilton, recording his first catch for 11 yards.

Fickell talked about what he expects from them going forward, alluding to giving them more opportunities as Wisconsin gets closer to conference play.

“We had made the determination that we were going to play these guys,” Fickell said. “Sometimes you get these younger guys, these freshmen guys in particular, you have a four-game leeway… Most of the guys you say you’re going to play them that Week 1, you’re not worried about holding them and saving them for the four games.

“Those are guys where we’re like, ‘Look, we’re going to need these guys throughout the entire year.’ They are freshmen. Those guys came in early, so they’re older freshmen. But I just try to remind them by Week 2, 3 and 4, you get into the Big Ten, you’re not a freshman anymore. There’s pressure on everybody, but within this program, right now, the most pressure is on guys like that.”

Wisconsin has one more game before heading to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama. While both teams have a game in between the matchup, it’s worth noting that the Crimson Tide suffered a Week 1 upset at the hands of Florida State. Before the Badgers face Alabama, they’ll go through the Blue Raiders on Saturday.