The University of Wisconsin football team is trading experience at center for better mobility at guard.

UW coach Bret Bielema announced after Thursday's practice that John Moffitt will start his first game of the season against Michigan State on Saturday, but it will come at left guard and not center.

Moffitt started all 13 games at center last year, after starting six at left guard in 2007. He suffered a pulled chest muscle while lifting weights in the offseason and missed the first two games. He played in a backup role at center last week.

"We liked the way, when he was at center, he could really pull and do some things in movement," Bielema said. "As you (reporters) know, we love to move those guards and do certain things.

"(We) felt John might be better suited to (guard) overall. He was at center based on need, basically, a year ago."

Moffitt replaces Jake Bscherer, a converted tackle who started the first three games. Bscherer's biggest problem was on plays when he had to pull.

Redshirt freshman Peter Konz will make a second straight start at center. True freshman Travis Frederick will back him up. Frederick started the first two games, but missed last week with an ankle injury.

"That gives us two viable guys inside, at the center position," Bielema said.

When asked what he liked about the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Konz at center, Bielema said "size and athleticism."

Bielema said Bscherer will also get some snaps, possibly at right guard, where redshirt freshman Kevin Zeitler remains the starter. There are also concerns about Moffitt playing an entire game.

"This will be the stiffest competition we've seen up front defensive line-wise," Bielema said. "So this will be an important week for us."

Meanwhile, junior guard Bill Nagy, who played 29 snaps last week in his first game, aggravated his foot injury in practice on Wednesday and probably won't play.

Moving Moffitt is almost certainly an attempt to get the five best linemen on the field, meaning Konz is playing at a higher level than Bscherer. Bielema admitted the quarterbacks prefer Moffitt's snaps, although exchanges have not been an issue.

Such a move could not have been made if the coaches didn't have faith in Konz and Frederick, although Moffitt continued to get second-team snaps at center in practice in case there's a problem.

"Hopefully, it's going to be a long-term thing," Bielema said. "Things could change in the matter of a minute."

In other injury news, defensive ends Brendan Kelly (groin), Louis Nzegwu (shoulder) and J.J. Watt (ankle) all practiced and are expected to play.

No decision on Ball

Freshman running back Montee Ball hasn't played in a game yet but don't put him down for a redshirt just yet. Bielema said he's still thinking of playing Ball, who missed last week's game when he returned home to the St. Louis area to attend his grandfather's funeral.

"I'd like to see where he's at," Bielema said. "He's done a pretty good job this week, the way he has prepared. He made a comment to me last week when he was sitting down in St. Louis ... watching the game he had that feeling of, 'I wish I was there. I know I'd be doing this.' I just like what he brings to the table."

Action for Appleton?

Another freshman Bielema would like to see get more involved is wide receiver Kraig Appleton, who has battled a hamstring injury and played sparingly. He has not caught a pass.

"This is the first week where he's been 100 percent healthy from Sunday all the way through," Bielema said. "We can kind of design some things to get him specifically fit into.

"One thing (reporters) saw in fall camp, Kraig can catch the ball and he's big (6-3). So, you like that and the element he can bring to the lineup, especially down in the red zone."

Bielema: Get here on time

Bielema is not giving up on his attempts to get UW students to games on time. He is going to make some type of appeal today, although he did not say if it would be via e-mail or another outlet.

The half-empty student section at kickoffs has been a sore spot for several years. But the more UW officials look for ways to get students to games on time, the more they seem to resist.

Bielema read comments from Michigan State coaches and players, who spoke of the hostile environment at Camp Randall Stadium and he wants it at its best from the start.

"I always make reference, we've got a high ACT score to get in here," Bielema said. "(The students) are very creative, they're very into the game. Our kids feed off them.

"That's the reason when it all gets down to it, we leave and we enter (the field) from right by the students. If we're only at 3,000 (students at kickoff) when 11,000 need to be there, it doesn't have as good an effect. I really hope the students take heed, get in there and be loud."

Eye on Borland

It hasn't taken opposing coaches long to notice freshman linebacker Chris Borland, who is quickly becoming a force on special teams. Borland blocked a punt and forced a fumble on a punt return last week.

"Based on conversations I've had with two coaches we've played, after the fact, people are aware of who (No.) 44 is," Bielema said. "There's still a lot of hits, things that have gone on, on film, that no one really knows about except for our players and coaches who watch that film. Of course, our opponents are aware of that."

Purdue time announced

The Big Ten Conference announced UW's home game against Purdue on Oct. 31 will have an 11 a.m. kickoff and be televised by ESPN or ESPN2.

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