.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Russell Wilson had the time he needed. Plenty of space, too.
Wisconsin lost three NFL-caliber linemen in the offseason and nearly no one noticed as the Badgers opened the season with a revamped unit that appeared strong as ever.
Montee Ball ran for three touchdowns and caught one, James White had another and new quarterback Wilson added a spectacular 46-yard scramble for a rushing touchdown of his own in No. 11 Wisconsin's 51-17 victory over UNLV on Thursday night.
They did it all with a reshuffled line.
Last year's Outland Trophy winner, Gabe Carimi, is gone at left tackle. So is left guard John Moffitt and fill-in center Bill Nagy after all three were drafted. Injuries kept this season's starting group unknown until this week as Wisconsin coped with the loss of six offensive starters from last year's Rose Bowl team.
''We lost some great players on offense, but what we have returning - and what we gained in Russell - the guys who returned from last year are definitely better than they were a year ago,'' right tackle Josh Oglesby said. ''So the sky's the limit for this offense.''
Wilson said he didn't think the Rebels touched him all night.
All the holes allowed the Badgers to gain 241 yards rushing, even though no one had more than White's 64 yards. Wilson, who ran for 62, went 10 of 13 for 255 yards and threw for two scores. He wasn't sacked and the Badgers' starters only allowed one negative play running when Ball lost one yard.
''The offensive line did a great job,'' Wilson said. ''They're tremendous.''
Ricky Wagner took over for Carimi at left tackle, Travis Frederick replaced Moffitt at left guard and Peter Konz resumed his role at center after he was hampered by an ankle injury during last year's Rose Bowl run. Oglesby is also back from injury and Kevin Zeitler won a competition for the right guard slot.
''Our offensive line has continued to play solid,'' coach Bret Bielema said. ''Again, we got a couple of backups in there as well, I think they stayed on their blocks and I think they enjoy having the running backs and quarterbacks have as much success as anybody.''
Wilson's scrambling added a new dimension for the Badgers.
''It's going to open up defenses a little bit more,'' Oglesby said. ''They won't be able to load the box ... with Russell's ability to get out of the pocket or just chuck the ball downfield.''
Wilson, a transfer from North Carolina State, was a huge hit in his debut, and his spectacular TD run helped the Badgers build a 48-point lead against the Rebels. After he scored, he thanked every one of his offensive players before sitting on the bench under a big fan with a TV camera recording every movement.
''It was a great experience. We've really been working hard all camp, but know we've got to get better, that's got to be our mind-set,'' Wilson said. ''Stay hungry, keep getting better, it's just the first game.''
Even with the easy win, Bielema said he had plenty of things to work on before Wisconsin plays Oregon State on Sept. 10. Even though the Badgers didn't commit a turnover, the six penalties frustrated the coach who won his 50th game of his six-year career.
''Enough positives to be excited, but yet enough teaching points, coaching points. I'm not going to be the head coach of a team that commits that many penalties,'' he said. ''We've got to clean that up. In tight ball games, that's going to cost us. Some things that are very positive, but some things to correct.''
Wisconsin scored on its first drive when Wilson found Ball for a 4-yard pass, and the Badgers built a big lead early against the undersized Rebels.
''Normally at the beginning of the season, there's things you have to work out with the team,'' Konz said. ''Today, it felt like it was clicking on all cylinders. So, hopefully we can improve that.''
Ball and White appeared as strong as ever. The pair of running backs who combined for 2,048 yards rushing and 32 touchdowns last season started strong, too, after pushing each other in camp.
''We've been practicing hard with it, the 1-2 punch we've got, going to make sure we keep working hard and keep going with it,'' Ball said.
