Wisconsin's Josh Hunt runs back a punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter.(AP)

Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez found out about the NCAA's verdict seven hours before the game, and he and his assistants frantically devised a game plan for both the order in which the suspensions were served and a team that was missing several important parts.

"This may be the longest day I've ever had to go through in coaching," said Alvarez, mopping his brow on one of the hottest, most humid days of the summer.

"I stand by my kids. People need to understand that there was no intent to do any wrong. ... I really didn't think our guys did anything wrong."

In the Badgers' first game since the graduation of NCAA career rushing leader Ron Dayne, Wisconsin's offense struggled to produce the methodical drives once led by the Heisman Trophy winner. Bennett got 30 carries but rarely broke into the Broncos' defensive backfield, and Wisconsin's passing game was erratic.

But Wisconsin's underwhelming performance can't be attributed entirely to the suspensions. Only four Badgers expected to play a significant amount were suspended.

Receiver Chris Chambers -- who's injured anyway -- receiver/kick returner Nick Davis and offensive tackle Ben Johnson were the only offensive starters out. All-American cornerback Jamar Fletcher and linebacker Bryson Thompson were the missing defensive starters.

The Badgers' defensive line, led by junior Wendell Bryant, had an outstanding game. The defense limited the Broncos to minus-1 yards rushing and less than 24 minutes of possession.

"Those guys we lost, we love them to death, but they're got to do their time, and we've got to move on and play," Bryant said. "We take pride when we play in Camp Randall. That's something we hold sacred."

Wisconsin didn't get an offensive touchdown until a 68-yard drive capped by Bennett's 8-yard run around the left end with 9:31 to play. Thirteen seconds later, defensive end Ross Kolodziej sacked Broncos quarterback Jeff Welsh in the end zone for a safety.

"It was a rough first night," Bennett said. "Now I know what Ron was going through with 30 or 40 carries a game. I'm beat up."

Josh Hunt scored on an 89-yard punt return in the second quarter for the Badgers, who entered the season with the highest preseason ranking in school history. Hunt, a junior playing in his first game, made the second-longest punt return in school history.

Wisconsin quarterback Brooks Bollinger frequently scrambled but found no one open. Bollinger, the Big Ten freshman of the year last season, was 6-for-11 for 96 yards while improving to 9-0 as a starter.

Western Michigan's wide-open passing offense capitalized on Fletcher's absence. Welsh, in his first start since replacing Tim Lester, was 20-for-39 for 243 yards and was intercepted once.

"Welsh was outstanding," Western Michigan coach Gary Darnell said. "He took his hits, but to play against the No. 4 team in the nation and to run his offense, I give him an 'A'."

Wisconsin's first drive in the post-Dayne era ended on downs when Bennett was hit for a 3-yard loss by Jared Pike at Western Michigan's 29. But linebacker Ben Herbert recovered a fumble moments later, and the Badgers scored on a 21-yard field goal by Vitaly Pisetsky.

The game then descended into a turf war, with neither team able to gain significant yardage. Wisconsin's offense even heard a smattering of boos when it failed to move the ball midway through the second quarter.

The Broncos trailed 10-7 at halftime after Welsh capped an 80-yard drive with a 2-yard TD pass to Mobolaji Afariogun with 1:54 left in the second quarter.

The Badgers' opener was played on one of the hottest days of the year in Wisconsin, with the school flashing messages on the scoreboard urging fans to drink plenty of water.

"I'm a shell of my former self," Bryant lamented. "It was soooooo hot. It's never been this hot in Wisconsin before."

Wisconsin extended its winning streak to nine games, third-longest in the country.