Wisconsin football analysis: The key difference on defense

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Christian Alliegro sensed his moment was close.

Photos: Scenes from Wisconsin football's season opener against Miami (Ohio)

Wisconsin students huddle up before entering the gates of Camp Randall before the Badgers play Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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A Wisconsin student wearing a Badger hat waits to enter the gates of Camp Randall before the Badgers play Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin concessions employees prepare hot dogs for fans before the game against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin students run in to the stadium before playing Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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A fan buys kettle corn in the concourse before the game against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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A fan buys a water from a concessions stand before Wisconsin plays Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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A fan ascends the steps of Camp Randall with a beer before Wisconsin plays Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers punter Atticus Bertrams (49) reacts after a punt went out of bounds against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) signals to the offense against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin celebrates after a Wisconsin Badgers place kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) field goal against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) walks off the field after an injury against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) celebrates after a first down against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers running back Darrion Dupree (6) is hit by Miami (OH) defenders on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) drops back to pass against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Tackett Curtis (4) hits Miami (OH) Redhawks running back Kenny Tracy (9) after a catch on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Mason Reiger (22) celebrates after a sack against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Miami (OH) Redhawks wide receiver Cole Weaver (84) elevates for a catch against Wisconsin Badgers on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers place kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) kicks a field goal against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin students react after seeing Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) down with an injury against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) runs to the tunnel with trainers after an injury against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin fans look at the scoreboard towards the end of the first half against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin band members prepare for pregame festivities before the Badgers play Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin band members huddle up before performing on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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The Wisconsin band waits to play before the game against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell leads Wisconsin out of the tunnel before playing Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers running back Dilin Jones (7) runs through Miami (OH) defenders on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks down before a fourth down play against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks towards the scoreboard before a fourth down against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Sebastian Cheeks (15) wraps up Miami (OH) Redhawks running back Kenny Tracy (9) in the backfield on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) rolls out to pass against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Christian Alliegro (0) wraps up Miami (OH) Redhawks quarterback Dequan Finn (1) for a sack on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Christian Alliegro (0) celebrates after a sack against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers safety Preston Zachman (14) celebrates after an interception against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) looks to hand off the ball against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers tight end Grant Stec (85) points after a first down against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) yells after a touchdown against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18), right, and Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) celebrate after a touchdown against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) celebrates with Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jayden Ballard (4) after a touchdown against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Miami (OH) Redhawks defensive back Kaleb Martin (17) watches as the ball falls to the ground on a pass intended for Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Jayden Ballard (4) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) celebrates after a touchdown run against Miami (OH) on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 at Camp Randall in Madison, Wi.
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BadgerExtra columnist Jim Polzin recaps Wisconsin's debut win over Miami University

Wisconsin football shutouts are rare, which leads to lofty grades in win over Miami (Ohio)

The RedHawks went 0 for 9 on third downs against the Badgers. Wisconsin didn't allow Miami's offense to get going.

3 things that stood out in Wisconsin football's ugly win over Miami (Ohio)

An injury to Billy Edwards Jr. headlined a sloppy win for the Badgers, who were able to limit the Miami (Ohio) offense in a shutout victory.

Polzin: Badgers football talking points after Wisconsin blanks Miami (Ohio) 17-0

The Badgers defense only allowed 117 total yards in the first shutout of Luke Fickell's tenure in Madison.

Poll: How would you grade Wisconsin football's performance vs. Miami (Ohio)

Here's your chance to grade the Badgers' performance against Miami (Ohio).

Injury sidelines Wisconsin football starting quarterback during win over Miami (Ohio)

The Badgers lost their quarterback to injury during the second quarter of the season opener. Here's what we know.

Rewind: Wisconsin football tops Miami (Ohio) in season opener

Wisconsin's new offense will debut under coordinator Jeff Grimes when the Badgers kick off their season against Miami (Ohio) on Thursday night…

What it costs to buy a beer at Camp Randall Stadium in 2025

The second season of beer sales at Wisconsin football home games opened Thursday. Here's what was on the menu boards.

Longtime Wisconsin donors get family name on Badgers' new indoor practice facility

The most expensive capital project in Wisconsin athletic department history is being built in phases into 2027 next to Camp Randall Stadium.

Polzin: Snakebit? Maybe, but Wisconsin football didn't flinch after losing its starting quarterback

Luke Fickell doesn't believe the Badgers will be as dependent on the quarterback position this season. That theory was tested in a season-open…

4 observations after rewatching Wisconsin football's win over Miami (Ohio)

A tackle struggling in his program debut and an outside linebacker making the most of a position change are among the things that stood out in…

27 ejected, 20 arrested during Badgers season opener Thursday night

Four people contacted by UW police had a blood-alcohol content of 0.20% or higher.

Wisconsin football starting quarterback avoids serious injury, return uncertain, report says

The latest on Wisconsin starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr.'s injury, which forced him from Thursday's season opener.

3 areas Wisconsin QB Danny O'Neil can improve if he takes on starting role

The Badgers likely are turning to Danny O'Neil at quarterback while Billy Edwards Jr. recovers from injury. O'Neil had some good moments in We…

5 things to know about Wisconsin football's next opponent, Middle Tennessee State

The Badgers look to start the season 2-0 with a matchup against Middle Tennessee State. Here's what to know about the Blue Raiders.

Wisconsin football senior does something no Badgers defender has in 2 years

A Badgers defender got recognition from the Big Ten Conference for his performance in Week 1.

3 things that stood out from Luke Fickell before Wisconsin football faces Middle Tennessee

An update on the quarterback position, the offensive line in flux and more from the Badgers football coach before the team's final game agains…

X-factor in Wisconsin football's game against Middle Tennessee State

The Badgers will try to move to 2-0 this season when they host Middle Tennessee State, which is coming off a blowout loss. Here's the main thi…

'Prove myself right': How Badgers QB Danny O'Neil uses past doubts as fuel

Wisconsin's starting quarterback, at least for this week, straddles the line between confident and cocky in a way that endears teammates and coaches.

A timeline of events involving Wisconsin football, Miami and Xavier Lucas

Cornerback Xavier Lucas left Wisconsin to play at Miami but the Badgers said the Hurricanes illegally tampered with contracts they had with th…

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US military refueling plane goes down in Iraq; rescue is underway

How Wisconsin football's defense showed a key skill against Miami (Ohio) that will carry over

Photos: Scenes from Wisconsin football's season opener against Miami (Ohio)

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Photos: Scenes from Wisconsin football's season opener against Miami (Ohio)

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