UW's 2017 football opener against visiting Utah State set for 8 p.m. Sept. 1 on ESPN
Jeff Potrykus
MADISON - Big Ten officials announced last fall that Wisconsin's 2017 football opener against visiting Utah State would be a night game on Friday, Sept. 1.
UW learned Thursday the game will start at 8 p.m. and be televised by ESPN.
The Badgers, who finished 11-3 and No. 9 in both national polls last season, last opened the season on a Friday night in 2002. UW defeated Fresno State, 23-21.
The matchup with Utah State will be the 19th night game in the history of Camp Randall Stadium. UW is 13-5 in those games.
Utah State last visited Madison on Sept. 15, 2012. Bret Bielema was in his final season as UW's coach, and the Badgers overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to prevail, 16-14.
About three months later, Bielema was off to Arkansas and Gary Andersen was leaving Utah State to come to UW.