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Wisconsin’s offense from the Week 1 loss to Notre Dame is now clearer in the numbers: Pro Football Focus snap counts show who the Badgers relied on in a game that exposed both bright spots and thin depth. With a quick turnaround to face FCS Western Illinois, those usage patterns will shape how Wisconsin coaches adjust this week.
Quarterback
Snap counts: Colton Joseph — 61 snaps (every offensive play).
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Joseph was on the field for the full game and showed both promise and costly mistakes. He produced several positive plays but also threw a pick-six he would want back. A heavy third-quarter hit forced Wisconsin to call a timeout to let him recover, yet his toughness and competitiveness stood out despite the defeat.
Author’s note: snap-count data from Pro Football Focus.
Running back
Snap counts: Abu Sama — 31; Darrion Dupree — 25; Nate Palmer — 4; Tyler Jansey — 1.
Sama functioned as Jeff Grimes’ clear workhorse, receiving the bulk of carries and snaps. Dupree’s role was more specialized: 19 of his 25 snaps came on passing downs as a receiver or pass protector. Palmer’s limited four snaps were exclusively on pass plays, and Jansey logged a single rep as a lead blocker at fullback.
Notably, USC transfer Bryan Jackson did not appear, suggesting he remains limited by the injury that hampered him in fall camp.
Wide receiver
Snap counts: Chris Brooks Jr — 47; Tyrell Henry — 45; Malachi Coleman — 40; Eugene Hilton Jr — 17; Shamar Rigby — 15.
Wisconsin kept its receiving rotation tighter than expected. Coleman emerged as the group’s most impactful playmaker, finishing with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. Brooks had a steady outing with three receptions for 38 yards. Hilton appeared to be hampered by an injury and was limited to three catches, while Henry served as the primary slot option. Rigby saw 15 snaps but did not record a target.
Tight end
Snap counts: Grant Stec — 42; Emmett Bork — 18; Jacob Harris — 17; Ryan Schwendeman — 5.
Stec paced the position group, posting career highs in both snaps (42) and catches (three). Second-year player Emmett Bork took the No. 2 role by snap count, ahead of transfer Jacob Harris, who was largely quiet with a single catch for three yards. Usage at tight end appeared to be driven by situation and matchups, leaving room for shifts as the season progresses.
Offensive line
Snap counts: Kevin Heywood — 61; Colin Cubberly — 61; Austin Kawecki — 61; PJ Wilkins — 53; Blake Cherry — 38; Stylz Blackmon — 23; Lucas Simmons-Johansson — 8.
Head coach Luke Fickell had warned of heavy rotation up front, and the snap chart confirmed it. Heywood, Cubberly and Kawecki were ever-present at right tackle, left guard and center, respectively. Cherry and Blackmon split guard duties, with Cherry logging more snaps despite Blackmon starting the game.
Wilkins did not play the entire contest at left tackle, and backups split time at guard. The team expects the eventual return of Emerson Mandell to stabilize the group, though no timeline was provided.
