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Wisconsin kicker Rafael Gaglianone out for season

Connor O'Gara

By Connor O'Gara

Published:

Just when it appeared Wisconsin could do no wrong, the Badgers got some tough news on Thursday.

Their ace kicker, Rafael Gaglianone, will be out for the entire 2016 season with a back injury. He underwent successful surgery on Thursday.

“You’re disappointed for Rafael because of all the work he’s put in and how well he was playing,” UW head coach Paul Chryst said in a statement. “From a football perspective, I’ve appreciated the way the other guys in that unit have responded this week.”

The Badgers will be without their All-B1G-caliber kicker, who was huge in the season-opening win vs. No. 5 LSU with three field goals.

RELATED: Yes, Wisconsin’s defense is performing even better without Dave Aranda

The good news is that Gaglianone will be eligible for a medical redshirt from the NCAA based on his three games of participation. He would have two more seasons in Madison if the NCAA granted him an extra year after the 2016 season concludes.

Gaglianone was sidelined for the Michigan State game, but that didn’t hold the Badgers back from pulling off a convincing 30-6 upset in East Lansing.

In his place last week, Andrew Endicott made his first career field goal. He nailed a 41-yarder and made three of his four extra points.

Still, the Badgers will undoubtedly miss one of the better kickers in all of college football.

Connor O'Gara

Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.