SPORTS
Defense studying up on Penn State
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Drew Hansen:
- Wisconsin stuns No. 12 Maryland (December 1, 2004)
- Bo's Badgers roll in 2004 opener (November 22, 2004)
- Wisconsin prepares for Maryland's athleticism (November 30, 2004)
Related Stories:
- PSU's Johnson runs wild (November 20, 2002)
- Big Ten coaches lament conference scheduling (October 24, 2007)
- The weekend of David vs. Goliath (November 13, 2002)
- OSU, Michigan ranked 1,2 (October 18, 2006)
- UW defense will be tested (October 31, 2002)
by Drew Hansen
Thursday, October 3, 2002
The table was set. Undefeated Penn Sate was to meet the undefeated Wisconsin Badgers Saturday in front of thousands watching on national television. ESPN would bring in the Game Day crew, and the town of Madison would be as fanatical as ever.
Now, thanks to Brad Banks and the Iowa Hawkeyes, the splendor of a game between two undefeated Big Ten teams has vanished. But the Badger defense isn’t bringing down the intensity in the slightest way just because of Iowa’s upset of Penn State.
“We’re going at it the same way as before the loss,” Badger defensive tackle Anttaj Hawthorne said. “A loss is a loss. Every team loses. We’re going in there with the same mentality, which is that [Penn State] is (a) great team.”
During their two weeks of preparation, Kevin Cosgrove and the Badger defense have spent countless hours watching videotape. They have also used the additional time to mend any nagging injuries, and have plenty of time to focus on their assignments.
“Our team is really ready to go and shut down anything they put up against us,” Hawthorne said. “I mean, we’ve had two weeks to prepare, and it feels like we know this team like the backs of our hands.”
Getting to know a team like Penn State is no easy task. With big talent at all three key offensive positions, Penn State has but up big numbers across the offensive board early on this season.
“We’ve really been working on cutting off their screens,” Hawthorne said. “Michael Robinson and Larry Johnson are both great players. Penn State runs the ball pretty good, passes the ball pretty good — just the simple things like that.”
Not only do the Badgers need to pay close attention to Joe Pa’s running backs, the defense must try and contain junior quarterback Zach Mills and a potent receiving core.
Mills is averaging nearly 254 yards passing per game this season to go along with his nine touchdowns. Not only is Mills a threat in the air, he can pull the ball down when he needs to and make things happen with his feet.
Last season Mills ran for 344 yards and three touchdowns, but this season the junior has limited his carries as Johnson and Robinson have taken care of the ground game, totaling 540 yards and 10 touchdowns as a unit, all through only four games.
Through the air, the Lions are led by senior wideout Bryant Johnson, a tall 6-2, 180 pound receiver who has 440 receiving yards on the season and had two touchdown receptions against Iowa.
The running-back screen is an integral part of the Lion offense, and something the Badgers have focused on. Tailback Larry Johnson has come up with 183 receiving yards and three touchdowns, catching passes out of the backfield.
However after all the dissection and nitpicking of the Nittany Lion offense is done, the Badgers must still execute Saturday if they are going to come away with the win.
“You have to respect them,” junior college transfer linebacker Alex Lewis said. “We just have to work hard like we have been doing and hopefully we get out there and execute during the game.”
After two weeks off, the Badgers have pledged preparation, but some feel the Badgers might have lost some momentum after their 5-0 start.
“[The bye] has just made us a lot smarter in what we’re doing,” Hawthorne said. “I wouldn’t say it slowed our momentum; if anything, it gave us a bit more because we’re much more readily prepared.”
Saturday the Badgers will see if all their homework has paid off. After going 5-0 in non-conference play, the Badgers want to prove they’re a force by putting on a show in their Big Ten opener, against a ranked team and still in front of thousands on national television.
“It’s always important to get a win in the Big Ten,” Lewis said. “It’s my first Big Ten game. It’s got me excited and nervous all at the same time.”
