MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin opened its home schedule with a 36-9 victory over Western Illinois on Saturday night, using a long touchdown run, a blocked punt and a steady rushing attack to pull away from the Leathernecks. Abu Sama III gave the Badgers an immediate lead when he ran 72 yards for a touchdown on Wisconsin’s first play from scrimmage. The score was the first of his Wisconsin career, and the Iowa State transfer finished with a career-best 107 rushing yards on eight carries. Wisconsin safety Carson Van Dinter added a special-teams touchdown later in the first quarter, blocking a punt, recovering the ball and returning it for a score with 7:54 remaining in the period. The play extended the Badgers’ lead to 17-0. Kicker Gavin Lahm connected on field goals from 30, 49 and 51 yards. His 51-yard kick, made with 2:30 left in the first half, was the longest of his career and put Wisconsin ahead 23-6. Western Illinois kicker Culkin accounted for all nine of the Leathernecks’ points with field goals of 27, 27 and 34 yards. Western Illinois also committed six penalties for 50 yards, including a holding call that erased a touchdown early in the third quarter. Damon Dupree capped an eight-play, 68-yard drive with a 28-yard touchdown run with 5:39 left in the third quarter. The drive stayed on the ground and increased Wisconsin’s advantage to 30-9. Quarterback Colton Joseph, an Old Dominion transfer, completed 12 of 22 passes for 173 yards and his first touchdown as a Badger. He also ran four times for 38 yards. With 5:39 remaining, Joseph connected with Chris Brooks Jr. for a 53-yard touchdown that completed the scoring. Western Illinois quarterback Kennedy McGill, a transfer from Central Washington, led the Leathernecks with 88 rushing yards on 18 carries. He also completed 13 of 22 passes for 139 yards. The win was Wisconsin’s first of the season after a 41-13 loss to Notre Dame at Lambeau Field. It was the second meeting between Wisconsin and Western Illinois, which is scheduled to face no other Football Bowl Subdivision opponent this season. Wisconsin will host Eastern Michigan next Saturday. Western Illinois will host Morehead State.