Good morning everybody- here are your Badger Bits for Monday, September 13th.
Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with on the Badger defensive line, according to Colin Fly at USA Today. Watt had a brake out season last year, and is now considered to be one of the top play makers on the Badger defense. In addition to his overall defensive prowess, Watt has also been lining up occasionally at tight end this year.
"J.J. is an unbelievable competitor. Now he thinks he's a specialist because he gets to go in with the offense. I was always concerned that J.J. wasn't going to be around when we called for that personnel," coach Bret Bielema said. "He's practically in the huddle before it's even said; that's how much he's enjoying it."
Watt has had an impressive career so far at Wisconsin after transferring for Central Michigan. In just over one season he has 48 tackles (including 16 tackles for loss) and 4.5 sacks for 19 yards. Watt is certainly developing into an NFL-caliber player, and is one of the most vocal team leaders.
More Badger Bits after the jump!
Several Badger players, including Watt and cornerback Niles Brinkley, have expressed their personal disappointment with their lackluster performance against San Jose State, and their desire to improve for next Saturday's matchup with Arizona State. Be sure to follow B5Q's Twitter list of student-athletes if you haven't already!Tom Oates of Madison.com has his recap of the Badgers' 27-14 win up, and he says that being 2-0 is not cause for celebration. Tom Mulhern also has a more in-depth game recap here.
Mike Lucas of Madison.com also says that while the Badgers have been sloppy in both wins this year, it's still too early for fans to be anxious about the 2010 season.
David Gilreath is in good spirits after being knocked out during a punt return against San Jose State, according to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. It's still too early to know how much time Gilreath will miss after the scary incident.
Walk-on red shirt freshman Jared Abbrederis was able to temporarily fill Gilreath's shoes at wide receiver. He caught 5 passes for 58 yards on Saturday.
And finally, Wisconsin Heisman Trophy winner Alan Ameche has been named to the Big Ten Network's 'Big Ten Icons' list. Ameche checks in at the No. 30 spot on the list of the Big Ten's best 50 student athletes in the conference's history.
5 days until another round of Badger football!