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Despite a rough start to Saturday’s game, the Wisconsin football team finished up non-conference play with a decisive 44-14 assault on FCS opponent Wofford, improving their mark to 3-0.
Head coach Bret Bielema expressed satisfaction with the defense’s performance against Wofford’s uncommon triple-option offense — known as the “Wingbone” — and his offense’s resilience after losing three fumbles over the course of the game.
Bielema singled out individual performances that were key to the Badgers’ victory.
“Lance Kendricks has been doing a lot of good things for us. We wanted to try to get him involved more,” Bielema said. “He finally came forward, had six catches but also did some things in the running game. We’re excited for where he is.”
Kendricks, a junior tight end, tied for the team-lead in receiving with Nick Toon, both netting six catches for 70 yards. Kendricks, however, also added a touchdown in the second quarter.
Defensively, Bielema recognized two linebackers: junior Culmer St. Jean, who accounted for a team-leading 15 tackles (two for a loss) and a fumble recovery, as well as freshman Mike Taylor, who produced nine tackles (also two for a loss) and a sack.
Bielema pointed to the performance of the D-line being vital to the success of St. Jean and Taylor.
“The reason those two made a lot of plays was because of the play in front of them,” he said. “The defensive line forced the ball to go certain directions where we had linebackers.”
Freshman linebacker Chris Borland received much acclaim for his productivity on special teams, most notably for his blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown, as well as his forced fumble and four tackles. Borland’s playmaking also garnered him the Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week honor.
Helping the team prepare before they even took the field was wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, a freshman who filled in as the scout team quarterback in simulating Wofford’s triple-option offense. Abbrederis’ contribution took place away from the game field and instead on the practice field in the days leading up to the Wofford matchup.
“I can’t say enough about Jared Abbrederis,” Bielema said.
Fumbles a problem
After six fumbles against the Terriers, the Badgers have an obvious problem to work on this week in practice.
More specifically, John Clay, who received his first start at running back Saturday after a career-best 143 yards against Fresno State, committed three of the six fumbles, while producing 70 yards on 12 carries.
“I expect him — and hope for him — to respond in a positive way,” Bielema said.
Zach Brown has returned to the No.1 running back spot, though Bielema says that could still change.
“It could be determined by practice this week. A little has to do with how John responds to what happened Saturday and how Zach responds.”
Brown carried the ball 12 times for 63 yards and two touchdowns, while also losing a fumble.
“It’s not like this is something that’s been a chronic issue,” Bielema said about the fumbles. “I want those running backs, whoever’s in there, to realize and understand that they’re back there because we have confidence in them.”
Big Ten play beginning
Looking past Wofford, the Badgers now prepare for their Big Ten opener against Michigan State, a team many sportswriters deemed the conference’s “dark horse.”
“Now it’s Big Ten play — everything gets rocketed up 10 more levels of intensity: the way we need to practice, the way we need to prepare,” Bielema said.
Despite their preseason status as a “dark horse,” Michigan State sits on a 1-2 record after letting their last game slip away by three points.
“They are a couple plays away from being a 3-0 football team. We know that they are going to come in hungry and want to earn a ‘W’,” Bielema said.
Bielema is confident that after falling victim to a 25-24 comeback against Michigan State last year, the players, and Bielema himself, have learned from mistakes of that game and are better prepared this time around.
“From what I’ve witnessed from every day in the beginning of fall camp to where we are today, I know that we don’t have the same team. And it’s up to us to prove that by a game-by-game basis,” Bielema said.
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Continued success is guaranteed as long as the Badgers keep playing high school teams with wingbones.
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Bite me.
IP hash: f25e5f88
It would be nice to play a top team in the country that is for sure. However, get over it moron. The team is 3-0. Just once it would be nice if all the grumpy fans would enjoy the ride and support the team for their efforts and not for their own graitification around the water cooler.
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Sparty can throw the ball. ND Blitzed on nearly every play, but hardly ever got home, leaving Tight Ends open all day and creating alot of man on man situations at the corners. UW needs to disguise their Blitz packages. Sparty is average defense. Good FG kicker.