Badgers ponder personnel changes before San Jose State game

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MADISON - Wisconsin might make a change at right offensive tackle when the Badgers play their home opener against San Jose State on Saturday.

Sophomore Ricky Wagner is listed on the new depth chart as a co-starter with incumbent Josh Oglesby. The junior Oglesby missed three games last year with a knee injury. But coach Bret Bielema said Oglesby has not resolved several problems with his game that cropped up a year ago. The coach said those issues popped up again in last Saturday night’s win at Nevada-Las Vegas, and they included a five-yard penalty for illegal procedure. Meanwhile, Bielema says he’s excited about the progress Wagner is making. Wagner was converted to tackle after starring as a tight end in high school at West Allis Hale.

Kick-off for Saturday's game at Camp Randall Stadium is at 11 a.m. and the game will be televised by ESPN.

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Badger back-up guard Ryan Groy made a surprise appearance at fullback in the Badgers’ 41-21 victory at Nevada-Las Vegas on Saturday night. The red-shirt freshman from Middleton started but did not have any carries. Groy said the move was designed to bolster the Badgers’ blocking – and he’s not even sure if he’ll stay in that spot. Coach Bret Bielema said Groy was a solid performer at Wisconsin’s pre-season camp – and he was too good to stay on the sideline. Bielema suggested that Groy become a tight end, but offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and line coach Bob Bostad suggested the fullback spot. Bielema calls Groy a natural.

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For the second week in a row, the Wisconsin football team is facing an opponent that’s re-building under a new coach. The 12th-ranked Badgers will face San Jose State in their home opener on Saturday in Madison. Wisconsin is getting ready for a San Jose squad coached for its first season by former Duke defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre. He says his eventual goal is to attract better players – and with all the football that’s played in California, he can’t imagine why that’s so hard. San Jose got crushed by No. 1 ranked Alabama last week, 48-3. The Spartans were held to only seven first downs and 175 total yards. MacIntyre said he was proud of the way his young players handled themselves – and they’ll learn from the experience of playing in front of 100,000 plus in Tuscaloosa. MacIntyre replaced Dick Tomey, who went 25-35 in five years at San Jose. Last year's Spartan team finished 2-10.

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