Tom Lynn James White was part of a high-octane offense against UNLV, breaking a screen pass for 40 yards.
Madison - The sample size is only one football game, 60 minutes of action.
Wisconsin's opponent, Nevada-Las Vegas, finished near the bottom nationally in several key statistical categories last season and didn't appear much improved Thursday night at Camp Randall Stadium.
Yet after watching UW's 51-17 victory over the Rebels, the early yet obvious conclusions that can be drawn are:
UW appears to have a championship-caliber offense again this season.
The defense, however, has some catching up to do.
ESPN analysts Jesse Palmer and Craig James raved during the broadcast about quarterback Russell Wilson and everyone even remotely affiliated with the UW offense, which scored on its first eight possessions en route to a 51-3 lead.
"You just think of all the pieces they have," Palmer mused. "This offensive line, this deep backfield, Russell Wilson (and) the added dimension he brings. They've still got playmakers on the perimeter. They're going to score a lot of points."
UW, which finished fifth nationally in points scored (41.5 per game) last season, generated seven touchdown drives and one field-goal drive with Wilson on the field.
The average scoring drive was 4.25 plays for 55 yards in just 1 minute, 47 seconds. UW's longest drive of the night was its second of the game - and eight-play, 80-yard march that took 3:40 and ended with James White's 1-yard run.
The explosive plays were plentiful.
Montee Ball and White had gains of 63 and 40 yards, respectively, on screen passes. Fullback Bradie Ewing turned a pass in the flat into 41-yard gain.
Wilson hit Nick Toon for 39 yards and sprinted 46 yards for a touchdown after he couldn't find an open receiver.
"We looked for execution coming into this game," James said. "First-time quarterback with this system, look at the efficiency on those drives. When you score every time you've got it, that means it's been a good night."
UW's defense, meanwhile, was so-so. However, it must be noted that defensive coordinator Chris Ash appeared to stick to a basic game plan.
With Oregon State next on UW's schedule, head coach Bret Bielema noted the tackling wasn't up to par and that too often defenders lost leverage and allowed the ball to reach the sideline.
"We have to get a lot better on tackling," he said, "make sure we have all of our assignments, run support and all those good things. I think we have a real good week of work for us."
Here are some examples of the defensive lapses that plagued UW:
Defensive end Louis Nzegwu, who had two sacks and was active, crashed down too hard on a tailback and didn't see quarterback Caleb Herring pull the ball out on the read-option and scoot around left end for a 19-yard gain.
Reserve defensive end Tyler Dippel missed tailback Tim Cornett 5 yards in the backfield. Cornett got to the sideline and gained 12 yards.
On the next play, it appeared safety Dezmen Southward got caught too far inside and Cornett gained 17 yards.
Bielema and several players noted part of the problem was that UW wasn't prepared for UNLV to run the "pistol" formation. In that look, the quarterback lines up a few yards behind the center, with a tailback a few yards deeper.
"That wasn't what we were expecting at all," free safety Aaron Henry said. "We have been practicing for about two weeks now and they showed us something completely different.
"It took us a little while to really get into a groove and even though UNLV only scored three points initially in the first (half), toward the end of the game they found a couple of gaps and got into the end zone."
Sophomore Chris Borland led UW in tackles with seven but was relatively quiet.
However, before UW fans demand Borland switch back to outside linebacker they must remember Borland was making his debut at middle linebacker and that because of shoulder problems last season he hadn't played a full game since the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl.
"I'd give myself a 'C,' " Borland said. "I was rusty. I was giving effort but I've got to get better."
ESPN analyst Lou Holtz noted UW's run defense was too soft. However, he appeared to suggest UW had enough firepower to outscore opponents if needed.
"Offensively they are so explosive," he said. "You worry about the defense. I tell you, if you're worried about your defense after a game like this you're looking for things to be concerned about.
"Because that offense will put a lot of points on the board."
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