A primer for the University of Wisconsin football team's season opener against Akron on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium from Capital Times columnist Mike Lucas, the team's radio analyst on the Wisconsin Radio Network.

Got a question for Mike about the Badgers? Click here to visit the "Ask Lucas" section, and pose your query. Answers will be posted later in the day. 

University of Wisconsin sophomore wide receiver Kyle Jefferson had no idea that he was "starring" in an NCAA training video for officials and casual college football fans who want to brush up on the rules and points of emphasis for the 2008 season.

Starring would be a roundabout way to describe Jefferson's physical condition (read: seeing stars) after being "crowned" while running a shallow crossing route during last season's Sept. 29 game against Michigan State at Camp Randall Stadium.

MSU strong safety Nehemiah Warrick used his helmet as a battering ram, and a weapon, to deliver a devastating and illegal blow to Jefferson, who was fortunate to escape serious injury.

The helmet-on-helmet contact failed to draw a penalty flag from the Big Ten officiating crew. Upon further review, it should have been a 15-yard penalty on the Spartans. Warrick also could have been ejected from the game if the hit had been deemed flagrant.

During the offseason, the NCAA Football Rules Committee revisited the issue of player safety as it specifically related to the Warrick-Jefferson collision. Other examples were also cited, including a "head shot" to former UW quarterback Tyler Donovan during the Outback Bowl.

Tennessee safety Eric Berry delivered the blow moments after Donovan broke the plane of the goal line at the end of a six-yard touchdown run. That hit should have drawn a penalty flag -- then and now -- if the officials were doing their job. They were not.

Here's the point of emphasis for contact above the shoulders (9-1-3a and b): "It is illegal to initiate contact and target an opponent with the crown of the helmet. Also, no player shall initiate contact and target a defenseless opponent above the shoulders."

That spells it out. There's little gray area. But, for whatever reason, college officials have been reluctant to make that call in the past, whereas NFL zebras have a much better track record in the area of legislating player safety.

Meanwhile, the Big Ten Network has gotten tremendous mileage out of the Warrick-Jefferson collision while replaying the dangerous sequence repeatedly during a so-called "highlight" package from the 2007 season.

"I've seen it and it really doesn't bother me," said Jefferson, who is Wisconsin's leading returning receiver among wideouts, with 26 catches. "I'm just happy that I was able to get up (after the hit) and still be here today. And I'm just happy to still be playing."

When he was advised that such above the shoulder contact is now being treated as a renewed point of emphasis, Jefferson smiled and said, "That's a good emphasis. You don't want to see anybody get hurt. I've seen guys not get up. I was very fortunate."

When asked if he has ever heard "footsteps" in the secondary while preparing to make a catch, Jefferson said, "I don't think I have, not at this point."