After a day to digest Wisconsin's 52-7 Homecoming win over Maryland on Saturday, head coach held his usual early-week press conference on Monday to recap the game, preview the next one against Rutgers and discuss where the Badgers stand entering November.
Below is the Week 10 depth chart; it's pretty much the same as Week 9's, with Warren Herring back at defensive end and Konrad Zagzebski at nose guard. QB1, of course, is split again between Tanner McEvoy and Joel Stave.
Below the depth chart, you'll find a summary of Andersen's comments. B5Q's Jake Kocorowski will follow with a more in-depth notebook later on Monday.
| WISCONSIN DEPTH CHART — WEEK 10 VS. RUTGERS | ||
|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE | ||
| QB | 5 Tanner McEvoy (Jr.) OR 2 Joel Stave (Jr.) | |
| RB | 25 Melvin Gordon (Jr.) | 6 Corey Clement (So.) |
| FB | 34 Derek Watt (Jr.) | 20 Austin Ramesh (Fr.) |
| WR | 86 Alex Erickson (Jr.) | 9 Jordan Fredrick (Jr.) OR 15 Rob Wheelwright (So.) |
| WR | 3 Kenzel Doe (Sr.) | 12 Natrell Jamerson (Fr.) |
| WR | 16 Reggie Love (So.) | 17 George Rushing (Fr.) |
| TE | 49 Sam Arneson (Sr.) | 48 Troy Fumagalli (Fr.) |
| TE | 46 Austin Traylor (Jr.) | 44 Eric Steffes (So.) |
| LT | 61 Tyler Marz (Jr.) | 62 Walker Williams (So.) |
| LG | 73 Dallas Lewallen (Sr.) | 71 Ray Ball (Jr.) |
| C | 70 Dan Voltz (So.) | 63 Michael Deiter (Fr.) |
| RG | 54 Kyle Costigan (Sr.) | 55 Trent Denlinger (So.) |
| RT | 78 Rob Havenstein (Sr.) | 74 Hayden Biegel (Fr.) |
| DEFENSE | ||
| DE | 34 Chikwe Obasih (Fr.) | 6 Alec James (Fr.) |
| NG | 91 Konrad Zagzebski (Sr.) | 95 Arthur Goldberg (So.) |
| DE | 45 Warren Herring (Sr.) | 93 Jake Keefer (Jr.) |
| OLB | 58 Joe Schobert (Jr.) | 24 Keelon Brookins (Fr.) |
| ILB | 59 Marcus Trotter (Sr.) | 32 Leon Jacobs (So.) |
| ILB | 30 Derek Landisch (Sr.) | 43 Michael Trotter (Sr.) |
| OLB | 47 Vince Biegel (So.) | 41 Jesse Hayes (Jr.) |
| CB | 8 Sojourn Shelton (So.) | 4 Devin Gaulden (Jr.) |
| SS | 7 Michael Caputo (Jr.) | 21 Peniel Jean (Sr.) |
| FS | 31 Lubern Figaro (Fr.) | 19 Leo Musso (So.) |
| CB | 5 Darius Hillary (Jr.) | 25 Derrick Tindal (Fr.) |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | ||
| P | 90 Drew Meyer (Jr.) | 38 P.J. Rosowski (Fr.) |
| FG | 10 Rafael Gaglianone (Fr.) | 97 Jack Russell (Jr.) |
| KO | 37 Andrew Endicott (So.) | 10 Rafael Gaglianone (Fr.) |
| LS - P | 56 James McGuire (Sr.) | 60 Connor Udelhoven (So.) |
| LS - FG | 60 Connor Udelhoven (So.) | 56 James McGuire (Sr.) |
| H | 90 Drew Meyer (Jr.) | 56 James McGuire (Sr.) |
| PR | 3 Kenzel Doe (Sr.) | 86 Alex Erickson (Jr.) |
| KR | 3 Kenzel Doe (Sr.) | 6 Corey Clement (So.) |
Here are the highlights from Andersen's presser:
-- Andersen acknowledged that he has "a ton of respect" for Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova, who incidentally is questionable for Saturday's game after suffering a right knee injury vs. Nebraska. Andersen, of course, is aware of Nova's status, and he said he was also impressed with backup Chris Laviano, who went 4-of-7 for 49 yards and rushed for 66 yards on four attempts in relief of Nova.
-- Andersen said Rutgers does a good job of mixing up its offense each week. "They do a nice job of scheming," he said, adding that he doesn't expect the Scarlet Knights' offense to make many changes whether Nova or Laviano starts. Similarly, he said the Badgers' defense wouldn't change much regardless of who starts.
-- Apparently, a BTN analyst said the Badgers would decide on one starting quarterback after the Maryland game. Andersen denied that, saying, "I don't know where that would have come from. That's never been the plan." Also regarding UW's two-quarterback system, Andersen said his staff "didn't look anywhere" for guidance and that it's not a common discussion topic within the team.
-- Andersen credited quarterbacks Joel Stave and Tanner McEvoy when asked about Wisconsin ranking eighth with just 0.86 sacks allowed per game. "I think both have done a pretty good job of stepping up in the pocket and avoiding situations." Of course, the offensive line and the running backs' pass protection were also credited.
-- Andersen said he's seeing more targets for the passing game both in games and practice now. Nine different Badgers caught passes vs. Maryland, and Andersen was also happy with their ability to catch contested balls.
-- More on the passing game: When asked if this is Stave at his best, Andersen said, "I think Joel looks great. [Teammates] can learn a lot from Joel Stave. A lot of people are proud of him and they should be."
-- When asked who the face of Wisconsin's defense is at this point, Andersen singled out safety Michael Caputo for his toughness and effort. Andersen also praised linebacker Derek Landisch and cornerback Darius Hillary.
-- On UW's lack of road-game experience, Andersen said, "It's just It's just a different room we're eating in and different bed we're sleeping in."
-- Herring and fullback Derek Watt will continue to see increased reps. Both returned from injury for the Maryland game.
-- Andersen said he visited Piscataway, N.J., a few offseason ago, and that it's a nice stadium and community. More relevant was Andersen's stated desire to continue getting into that area in recruiting. "It's been good to us the last couple of years." On this year's roster, running back Corey Clement and linebacker Sherard Cadogan are New Jersey natives. McEvoy, of course, hails from New Jersey as well, but he wasn't recruited by this staff from there. "We've been able to get into some homes there," Andersen said. "It's an intense recruiting area."
-- One positive from Saturday's rout that might've been overlooked: Rob Havenstein hustling to secure a fumble even with the Badgers up 45-0 in the fourth quarter. Andersen said he'll make a point to point the play out to the team this week, noting that "Rob's effort was tremendous."
-- On Drew Meyer's nifty jump pass on the fake punt in the first quarter: "We always have fakes, but sometimes you don't get the look. It's important to run those plays when you get the opportunity."