News:Kyle French hit both of his field goal attempts but had one of his three PATs blocked Saturday as Wisconsin beat Northern Iowa 26-21.
Analysis:Kyle French hit from 32 and 35 yards for the Badgers' first six points of the game. We expect the offense to take a few more chances this coming Saturday against an FBS school in Oregon State, which may result in fewer stalled drives and more touchdowns.
News:Kyle French will start on Saturday, Badgernation.com reports.
Analysis:Kyle French won the job after competing with freshman Jack Russell for the spot all camp. He started to pull ahead in the competition earlier in the week. French has made three field goals in his career for the Badgers. The sophomore has also knocked down 26-27 PATs.
News:Kyle French has the edge in the kicking competition, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis:Kyle French has been in a close competition with Jack Russell for the starting kicking spot, and it doesn't look to be resolved until late in the week.
News:Kyle French has "been on fire," ESPNWisconsin.com reports.
Analysis:Kyle French was listed as second on the initial depth chart, but it looks as if the starting kicker won't be decided until Thursday or Friday of next week. The Badgers also could use both kickers to start out the season.
News:Kyle French is still in the running to earn the starting kicker gig with Wisconsin this season, BadgerNation.com reports.
Analysis: Freshman Jack Russell is currently the No. 1 kicker on the depth chart, but coach Bret Bielema said Monday that the competition remains open. In Monday's practice, Kyle French converted on all four attempts, with a long of 43 yards. Meanwhile, Russell made just 2-of-4 field goals, missing left from 32 yards and coming up short from 48. Still, since touchdown machine Montee Ball is on their side, neither is likely to see too many field goal opportunities in 2012.
News: Wisconsin kicker Philip Welch will miss another game this week with an injured quadriceps.
Analysis: Welch has yet to see the field this season. Kyle French will continue to play until Welch is ready.
News: Wisconsin kicker Philip Welch had a "procedure" done on his injured right (kicking) quadriceps and will keep his leg immobilized this week. The earliest he could return is against Northern Illinois in Week Three.
Analysis: You can safely start Kyle French again this week as the Badgers take on Oregon State. Next week, it might start getting a little dicey though, depending on how quickly Welch is able to practice.
News: ![CDATA[Wisconsin kicker Philip Welch (strained quad) is "still not 100%" according to Badger assistant Charlie Partridge. This means it's very likely that young Kyle French will kick in the opener.
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Analysis: Welch is a very risky start for the opener, and owners that invested a relatively high pick in Welch will want to be certain to have a backup kicker. This is a kicker with a leg injury.
News: Wisconsin kicker Philip Welch returned to practice after missing most of camp with sore right quadriceps.
Analysis: Welch is the likely kicker for the Badgers, but redshirt freshman Kyle French did very well in Welch's absence and could push him as camp moves on.
News: Wisconsin kicker Philip Welch (leg) is eager to resume kicking and could be back on Monday, according to coach Bret Bielema.
Analysis: With all the talk of Kyle French and Alec Lerner looking good in camp, you can bet Welch is eager to get back in action. We'd be shocked if Welch doesn't quickly regain his starting placekicking duties, but Lerner looks he will handle kickoffs
News: Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema says that if they played a game today Kyle French would be his starting kicker, not three-year starter Philip Welch. Welch apparently is suffering from a leg injury.
Analysis: Leg injury or not, coach Bielema has stated from the get go that the competition is open and by all accounts French has been banging them home in practice. Still, you don't just replace a veteran kicker the caliber of Welch unless there is a reason, and now we know why.
News: Despite being a three-year starter and 2010 All-Big Ten honorable mention, Wisconsin kicker Philip Welch is fighting for his job as a pair of youngsters are also getting a look at the placekicking and kick off duties. "Phil has obviously done it, he's been successful at it," coach Bret Bielema said. "I think Kyle French and Alec Lerner are hitting the ball extremely well."
Analysis: This could be a situation where coach Bieliema wants to give his young kickers some reps or is trying to send a message to Welch -- what message that is I don't know. It would certainly seem odd to make a switch now, especially since Welch has connected on 77 percent of his field goals during a three-year span. However, this is not welcome news for fantasy owners and needs to be watched closely.
