Two of the nation’s top punt returners will be at Ryan Field on Saturday. Northwestern’s Marquice Cole leads the nation with a 30.1-yard average, including an 81-yard touchdown. Wisconsin’s Brandon Williams is sixth nationally and second in the Big Ten with a 19.5-yard average that includes scores on returns of 63 and 66 yards. Williams is third in the nation and first in the conference with a 35.3-yard average on kickoff returns. . . .
Special teams have been a strength for Wisconsin. Punter Ken DeBauche is third in the nation and first in the conference with a 46.6-yard average, and Taylor Mehlhaff has made 6 of 7 field goals, missing only from 51 yards. . . . For Northwestern, Ryan Pederson is averaging 41.9 yards per punt and Joel Howells has made 7 of 12 field goals, including 5 of 6 against Penn State. . . . Northwestern backup quarterback C.J. Bacher is practicing with a splint to protect an injured little finger on his left (non-throwing) hand.