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Another fall Monday comes with it another 12:30 p.m. CT press conference for Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen. Fresh off of the Badgers' second bye week of the season, they begin their second half push against the Maryland Terrapins Saturday afternoon (11 a.m. CT kickoff on BTN, of course).
During today's press conference, Andersen noted the possible returns of both Warren Herring and Derek Watt (as he coined it, "optimistic"), along with the tall task of defending Stefon Diggs and the multi-faceted Terrapins' offense. You can watch it here and also read the full transcript here.
Injury front news: Herring, Watt, Derek Landisch and Marcus Trotter
Andersen: optimistic for Herring and Watt - hopes they can play
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
GA on injured Herring and Watt: "We'll see how the week goes. I'm optimistic. I hope they play" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) October 20, 2014
GA said #Badgers need to see how the week goes before they know if they’ll have Warren Herring and Derek Watt back vs. Maryland.
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) October 20, 2014
Andersen on Watt & Herring and rule how long they have to practice: if they're ready to play, they'll play
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
GA on ILBs: "I expect Derek to be full-steam, Marcus to be full-steam and Leon to continue to get practice reps (at ILB)" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) October 20, 2014
Andersen: Expects Derek Landisch & Marcus Trotter "full steam" ahead; Leon Jacobs to get reps. Trotter'll be starter as long as he's healthy
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
Taking on a talented Maryland Terrapins team
Andersen: Maryland is a "very skilled team" - offensive gives you a lot of looks, spread with "some pace"
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
Andersen: Return game "dangerous". Opportunities to cover will be there for #Badgers and will be a challenge
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
Andersen: Maryland offense has different looks - #Badgers defense will have to have pre-snap reads
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
Andersen: on kicking to dangerous Maryland return games, says kicking ball into end zone for kickoff returns would be ideal, covering well
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
Andersen on Maryland & Rutgers before/after joining #B1G: didn't know much initially, but gained respect and will fit in very well.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
GA: #Badgers stressing third-down offense, limiting big plays on defense and punting among keys to improving
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) October 20, 2014
GA on Maryland special teams: "If you kick it to them, they're going to make you pay. Kicking the ball will be of high importance" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) October 20, 2014
GA: Impressed with Maryland D vs. Iowa. "It's a skilled defense that runs pretty (well)." #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) October 20, 2014
Quarterbacks: Joel Stave "OR" Tanner McEvoy
Andersen on QB: Wouldn't call it a competition between Stave and McEvoy, says they have two QBs; they understand where they sit.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
For whatever reason, #Badgers depth chart this week again lists Joel Stave "OR" Tanner McEvoy at QB. Can we please just end this madness?
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) October 20, 2014
Well, just asked Gary why he's got Joel OR Tanner listed as starting QB. (Why not just name one? Seriously). Says again both will play.
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) October 20, 2014
Thoughts on the competitive Big Ten West division
Andersen on if any teams have stood out in #B1G West: thought it'd be competitive and it has shown at this point. Every team has playmakers.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
Andersen: "Every game we play will be very, very meaningful" #Badgers
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 20, 2014
FUN FACTS!!!!!
Fun fact: #Badgers will play their 550th game at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. Record: 335-191-23 (.631 winning percentage)
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKocoB5Q) October 20, 2014
Saturday’s game vs. Maryland is the first all-time for the #Badgers. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CST, and the game will air on BTN.
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) October 20, 2014
LET'S DO THIS! HOMECOMING WEEK!!!
GA: "We're ready to get back to work." #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) October 20, 2014