The Wisconsin Badgers offense was carried by dynamic running back Tawee Walker against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Walker, a former Oklahoma Sooners rotational back, has taken over the starting role and bulk of the carries after a roster change. Former starting running back Chez Mellusi stepped away from the Wisconsin Badgers football program citing physical and mental struggles as the cause of his decision.
Mellusi noted he may return to football, but for the time being, Walker has stepped into the starting role. Along with this announcement from Mellusi, the Wisconsin football staff also announced they would no longer “feed the hothand”. The Badgers would move to a more traditional approach and give Walker the bulk of touches instead of giving the football to whoever looked the best that day.
The talented running back wasted no time making an impact, carrying the football 24 times for 198-yards rushing and three touchdowns. Walker broke off a massive 55-yard rush and thrashed his way through the talented Scarlet Knights defense. Walker was the workhorse within the Badgers offense against Rutgers, and seemed unstoppable during the game.
Walker transferred into the Wisconsin football program this past offseason after leaving the Oklahoma Sooners program. Walker was underutilized with the Sooners and was often the third option for the team at the running back position. The talented athlete transferred into Wisconsin and expected to compete for the bulk of the carries, which he now currently holds.
Wisconsin Badgers Running Back Tawee Walker Impresses Against Rutgers
For Wisconsin, everything seemed to go right on both sides of the football against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
Coming into the game, Rutgers was a team that many felt could make the game interesting due to their start to the season. Running back Kyle Monangai and quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis had both been impressive for the Scarlet Knights before facing off against the Badgers. The Rutgers defense had also been notable, shutting down the run against the majority of teams they have faced this season.
Wisconsin has history with Kaliakmanis in particular, playing against the quarterback multiple times while he lead the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The quarterback, however, struggled against the Wisconsin Badgers and entered halftime going 7-of-21 passing against the defense. Monangai faced the same adversity, being stuffed in the backfield and cutdown before hitting the hole.
On the offensive side of the ball, Walker led the team and seemed to find the right lane every time he was handed the football. The running back split carries the past few weeks as part of a running back by committee approach, which was scrapped this weekend. In the first real start for Walker, the running back took the football with force and displayed a bit of what the Badgers offense had been missing previously.
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