Fans got their first-look at the revamped backfield for the Wisconsin football team this Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium during the annual spring game.
It has been general consensus for months that Corey Clement would fill the massive void Melvin Gordon left at running back. But given Wisconsin’s history of productive depth at the position and no clear backup through spring ball, three backs fought for the spotlight throughout the scrimmage, while Clement remained on the sideline for the game’s entirety.
Redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal trotted out with the first-team offense to start the game and his first two runs went for a combined 15 yards. By halftime, Deal had rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries, albeit against the Badgers’ second-team defense.
“I just tried to take advantage of it and do what I can,” Deal said of his performance.
Deal finished the day with 15 carries for 76 yards.
Unlike Deal, redshirt senior Dare Ogunbowale struggled in the first half, getting bottled up against the first-team defense for only 11 yards on nine carries.
He would bounce back in the second half, finishing with 12 rushes, 89 yards and two touchdowns. The two touchdowns came on runs from 55 and 20 yards out.
“Obviously, the first half was a little rough for me,”Ogunbowale said. “So it was making sure I kept pressing things and not moving away from anything that I’ve been doing all spring really. It was a good second half, and the plays opened up for me.
Redshirt junior Serge Trezy, a newcomer to the running back conversation since his transition from cornerback, carried the ball 17 times for 47 yards, with a long of 12 yards.
Perhaps most importantly, the running backs’ mentality Saturday was to compete not only on the scoreboard, but against each other.
“The running backs as a unit wanted to make sure that we were competing. We all wanted to compete amongst each other, not only against the defense, but within the running back room,” Ogunbowale said. “I think we all looked very good, and we wanted to make sure that even though Corey wasn’t going. We still gave the fans something to cheer about. I think we did a pretty good job with that.”
Deal said the competition is something running backs coach John Settle instilled throughout spring ball.
“We competed a lot during spring camp,” Deal said. “I didn’t notice the competition because we just came out and had fun and did our best. Coach Settle made it fun.”
Clement, observing from the sidelines, said that despite the unflattering numbers Wisconsin backs are accustomed to putting up, he was happy with the way his future backups played.
“I think they did great even with working with two offensive lines. Everybody made the most of what they could do,” Clement said. “I think Dare (Ogunbowale) and Serge (Trezy) are really in good positions to actually contribute to this offense. I’m excited to see what they can do in the fall.
“Dare said to me that he couldn’t wait for the second half. So, to actually get some more energy on our offense, you can kind of see it with the younger line. They were lacking energy and he kind of brought the focus back to where it needed to be.”
Boom Goes Bondoc
One of the biggest surprises of the day was redshirt freshman safety Evan Bondoc. The Madison native recorded a game-high 12 tackles and broke up two passes, one of which would have been ruled an interception if instant replay was in use.
“It was awesome to be out there,” Bondoc said. “I give a lot of credit to the guys in front of me. I’m not usually out there.
“I was just ready to go out there and play. We did a lot more base stuff today, which freed us up to go and make plays. It wasn’t more complicated. It was just fun to go out there and play.”
Obasih Busy in Backfield
Redshirt sophomore Chikwe Obasih was flying toward the quarterback all afternoon, recording 2.5 sacks and four tackles. He also forced two fumbles and recovered one.
Obasih said slowing the game down and focusing on technique has been a point of emphasis for the defensive line this season.
“Last year we felt rushed to get there and make sure everything was ready to fit the scheme since we had a lot of new guys coming in to the front,” Obasih said. “This spring we took a step back. We talked the techniques. We talked exactly what we need to do and what we want to do to ensure that we have success this fall.”
Offensive Line Repair
With Obasih and his defensive line counterparts wreaking havoc in the backfield, question marks still surround the offensive line, which has to replace the entire right side due to the graduations of Dallas Lewallen and Rob Havenstein. Starting center Dan Voltz didn’t participate Saturday and presumed starting left guard Ray Ball was also held out.
That doesn’t concern left tackle Tyler Marz though, who said that guys will step up during summer workouts and fall camp, simply because they have no choice.
“Wisconsin has a tradition of just always someone stepping up. It was my duty two years ago when I was coming in here,” Marz said. “(Former Wisconsin offensive lineman) Ryan Groy might not have had the confidence in me coming out of that spring, but come fall I was a guy. And for me then, I just didn’t want to let him down. So the guys really need to feel that with me and Dan (Voltz), because that motivates you. You don’t want to let the guy next to you down.”