MADISON — It was towards the end of the Wisconsin Badgers’ 33–24 win over the Northwestern Wildcats when redshirt freshman Cole Van Lanen found out he would see the first Big Ten action of his collegiate career.
Wisconsin was backed up deep in its own territory, up by 14 points in the fourth quarter. Onto the field came the former four-star prep standout, in place of team captain Michael Deiter at left tackle.
“I believe it was after that field goal in the fourth [quarter], my name was called and I was going in,” Van Lanen said on Tuesday.