Sports

Langford’s work goes long way

With every negative there is a positive, and with every positive comes a negative. This is the way Wisconsin cornerback Allen Langford views his performance this year.

"It felt good getting a pick in the Big House, especially against Michigan," Langford said. "It felt good getting the first interception, and after getting another one, it felt even better."

But even after his stellar two-interception performance against Michigan's Mario Manningham last Saturday, Langford acknowledges that there is definitely some room for improvement.

"I've got to go out there and make a lot more plays, learn how to limit the big plays and learn how to be consistent," Langford said. "That's the main thing that I want to work on as … a [defensive back], is being more consistent; but the main thing is I have to limit the big plays and limit the plays I give up, period."

The idea of consistency is something that UW defensive backs' coach Kerry Cooks reiterated. He wants the defensive backs to keep raising their intensity and not level off.

Cooks made a point to say that there can't be any drop-off; there always has to be improvement. According to Cooks, that is something Langford understands quite well. "Allen knows, and I've talked to my whole secondary about maintaining consistency throughout the season; you can't have any lows, there can't be any peaks and valleys, you need to stay at a level playing field," Cooks said.

Despite Langford's best efforts against Michigan, the defense gave up some huge plays to Manningham, including at 38-yard touchdown reception that blew the game wide open for the Wolverines.

"He's one of those guys that if you make a mistake in your technique, he's got you already," Langford said. "You have to be disciplined and sound in your technique to go against him."

His technique and effort during the season is something that his teammates and coaches applaud him for.

"He's a great player on the field, he comes and he practices, and he brings his lunch box and hard hat every day, and you've got to admire that about him," Cooks said.

"Allen is a good guy, he comes in and works hard and studies people," defensive back Roderick Rogers said. "He's just a good guy overall."

This work ethic has made Langford into a defensive back respected not only by his teammates, but also by other schools and wide receivers across the Big Ten. One of the many improvements that Langford has made this offseason is getting more aggressive around the football.

"That's what I think I'm doing a lot better right now, is playing the ball," Langford said. "Sometimes I get a little too into myself in playing the ball, and I peek into the backfield, and that's when something happens."

Langford has also adopted the coaching staff's "1-0" mentality.

"This week's game is what we are focusing on now, and when we get by it, we will focus on the next one," Langford said. "You can never look ahead because that is how you get beat."

Motivation can come from many places, whether it be spiritual or inspirational, but just being out on the field and making plays is what motivates Langford.

"When you go out there and make plays, it motivates you to keep your intensity level up, so you have to go out there with the mindset that you are going to make plays regardless of anything else that is going on," Langford said.

"My goals are to develop into a good corner, to develop into a playmaker and to keep getting better every game. I want to hopefully contribute something to our defense in order for [us] to [have] great defense as a team."