When Chris Orr filled in for Leon Jacobs following Jacobs’ ejection for targeting during the Wisconsin football team’s win over Troy Saturday, Sept. 19, he did more than serve as a substitute.
Orr recorded a game-high 14 tackles, and now he has a starting spot.
Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda said Wednesday that Orr had been working with the first-team defense all week and Jacobs had been rotating with the second-team.
Aranda said both will get playing time this Saturday, Sept. 26, against Hawaii.
“There’s a certain guy that’s made or built to play inside linebacker,” Aranda said. To him, Orr fits that mold.
Aranda added that Orr’s instincts and intelligence propelled him into the starting role, and that Jacobs could slide to the outside if needed.
“Leon is the leader of that position group … he’s a favorite of mine,” Aranda said.
Aranda addresses targeting calls
Aranda took some of the blame in the ejections of Derrick Tindal and Leon Jacobs last Saturday against Troy for their targeting penalties.
“I need to do a better job of making a ‘strike-zone’ emphasis,” Aranda said. “From the bottom of the numbers to the thyroid. That’s kind of a general consensus. We’ve talked about it. I haven’t made a big enough deal of it.”
Both Jacobs and Tindal acknowledged they could have done a better job of implementing proper tackling technique.
Jacobs said he needed to hit the quarterback lower on his penalty, and Tindal said he needed to wrap up the ball carrier next time instead of leading with his arms.
Position changes
Former safety Lubern Figaro and former tailback Caleb Kinlaw have switched over to cornerback, Aranda confirmed Wednesday.
The changes have brought a new energy to the defense, Aranda said.
“A lot of times when you take guys and change positions you kind of have to give them leeway,” Aranda said. “But they’re giving us a boost.”
Freshman Alec Ingold, who played quarterback in high school and was expected to play linebacker at college, has moved to fullback.
Aranda doesn’t expect to see him on the defensive side of the ball any time soon.
“I think on offense he’s really found himself a home,” Aranda said.
