Aug 28, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Danny O'Neil (18) celebrates after earning a first down during the second quarter against the Miami (OH) RedHawks at Camp Randall Stadium. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Wisconsin Badgers facing serious question mark on offensive line after Week 1 win over Miami (OH)

Originally posted on Wisconsin Badgers on SI
By Lorin Cox | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 11:07 AM ET

The Wisconsin Badgers injury at quarterback overshadowed another looming concern for Luke Fickell after Week 1.

Whoever starts under center for Week 2 and beyond will need to watch their back.

Left tackle Davis Heinzen was one of the few Badgers players who visibly struggled against Miami (OH), a team he had experience playing against at his last school (Central Michigan).

According to PFF, Heinzen allowed two sacks, two quarterback hits and one hurry on 39 pass blocking snaps.

Badgers LT Davis Heinzen was credited with allowing 5 pressures and 2 sacks across 39 pass-blocking snaps vs. Miami (OH), per PFF.
— Dillon Graff (@DillonGraff) August 29, 2025

He graded better when it came to run blocking, but the pass protection performance was concerning against a lower-level opponent than some of the powerhouses later on Wisconsin's schedule.

Wisconsin quietly pulled him out at the end of the game, allowing redshirt junior Layton Nelson to play the final seven snaps at left tackle.

Fickell didn't sound overly concerned about his left tackle after the game, acknowledging the need to get better but also recognizing that one game doesn't necessary reflect the larger body of work.

"Everybody had their moments in game one," Fickell said. "We know we've got to make sure that the biggest improvement comes from game one to two."

He noted that the RedHawks consistently loaded up the box against the Badgers, making the job of the offensive line more difficult with the defense coming more aggressively.

Wisconsin's offensive line play has fallen off significantly in the last 5 or so years, but I'm still not conditioned to endure what Davis Heinzen is doing at LT tonight.
— Zach Rastall (@zrastall17) August 29, 2025

Still, that type of performance from Heinzen won't hold up against teams like Alabama and Ohio State, so Wisconsin needs to quickly find improvement at left tackle.

The late-game switch to Nelson suggests the Badgers will explore their options. Another possibility is kicking left guard Joe Brunner out to tackle and promoting another guard off of the bench.