Tomorrow the Wisconsin Badgers (2-0) will meet the UNLV Running Rebels (1-1) in an important early season match up. The Badger offense has generated quite a buzz as of late, and will look to keep the ball rolling against the visitors from Las Vegas. To do that, they will need to focus on these five things:
Keep the blazing badgers hot: The two untouchables of the Wisconsin offense, senior Lee Evans and junior Anthony Davis, seem to be dominating once they get their hands on the ball. Last week against Akron, Davis racked up 247 yards on the ground, while Evans caught nine passes for 214 yards. Evans seemed to fly across the field in his 99-yard touchdown reception and Anthony Davis seems to get outside fast enough to hit the light switch and get in bed before the light goes off. Davis averages seven yards every time he carries the ball, and Evans averages 17.8 yards per catch. If the two untouchables get their touches, then the offense should have no trouble moving the ball down the field. If Davis gets 20-plus carries and Evans has more than six catches, things should look good for the Badgers.
Sorgi, Sorgi, Sorgi: Chants of “Sorgi, Sorgi” could be heard from the crowd at times last year when Brooks Bollinger seemed to be a little off. So far senior Jim Sorgi has done well in his starting roll, but that’s not to say he does not have room for improvement. At times he has overthrown his receivers, and although he has a great connection with his bread-and-butter (aka Lee Evans), he still seems to have trouble connecting with some of the younger Badger wideouts. Last season, sophomores Jonathan Orr and Brandon Williams proved they can be big time receivers, and they will have to be utilized for the Badgers to win big games. Orr and Williams only came up with one catch a piece in last week’s win over Akron.
Secondary stand: Last week Akron quarterback Charlie Frye and the Zip receivers made the secondary look like rookies, running slant after slant, and connecting on pass after pass. Perhaps the Zips’ pass offense was the best part of their game, but as the season blooms, the secondary must make a stand. The defensive backfield must prove that they can make the big stops on the big downs for the Badgers to keep moving up the ranks. Junior Jim Leonhard is the standout, and he needs to step into a vocal leadership role. Now that junior Scott Starks and senior Ryan Aiello have experience under their belt, they need to step up their game. Aiello came up with his first collegiate interception last week against the Zips, and the Badgers will need him to come up with more big plays.
Keep the fans in the game: Yes, Wisconsin is the number one college sports town according to Sports Illustrated, so do what good sports fans do: stay in the game. Last week when House of Pain’s “Jump Around” was not played, the student section became livid. They booed, sat down and lost sight of the game. At the same time, the players on the field seemed to do the same, letting Akron come within a field goal after building a substantial lead. Everyone — players, coaches, and fans — need to remember no matter what happens around the game, the 12th man needs to be as loud as possible.
One game at a time: It’s early in the season, and it is easy to look past a game like UNLV, especially with the Big Ten schedule looming ahead. UNLV is not a powerhouse team, but they did put up 458 yards in their season opener against Toledo. San Diego St., also out of the MWC, put up quite a fight against Ohio State last week. If the Badgers need any reminders as to what underdogs can do, they only have to look as far back as Indiana last year or Cincinnati in 1999. After last week against the Zips, Wisconsin is in no position to overlook anyone.
