Wisconsin head coach Gary Andersen held his weekly press conference as usual on Monday, spending about 20 minutes recapping Saturday's huge win over Bowling Green, promising signs for the future and where the Badgers still need to improve. In total, it was a fairly uneventful media session. After all, what's there to really break down after a 68-17 win? Andersen did also preview a little of Wisconsin's next opponent, South Florida. The Badgers and Bulls kick-off 11 a.m. Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Here are the highlights from Andersen's presser, brought to us by a combination of @B5Q tweets and some from the variety of great Badgers beat writers out there.
GA: "There were tremendous examples of playing as a team" vs Bowling Green. "It was important for us to take that step" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) September 22, 2014
First player Andersen highlights is LB Derek Landisch, who played "unbelievably good ... did a little bit of everything."
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 22, 2014
More on Landisch from Andersen: "Great pass rushers are born, not taught. ... His overall knowledge of the defense is impressive." #Badgers
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 22, 2014
Gary is two for his last two press conferences in adjusting the Badger Max bottles. Good work, Gary.
— Drew Hamm (@drewhamm5) September 22, 2014
Andersen says he addressed team at halftime about things that could've cost them the lead. Still thinks team has a lot of room to grow.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 22, 2014
GA: USF's a huddle-up team. Plenty of time in between snaps. Much different from last week.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 22, 2014
USF not going to run up-tempo like BG. #Badgers expecting to have plenty of time between plays.
— John Veldhuis (@JohnVeldhuis) September 22, 2014
GA on USF: "Defensively they're coached very well ... impressed with the stoutness, technique and fundamentals" of front 7 #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) September 22, 2014
Andersen says the #Badgers' deep passing game must develop. Otherwise, that inability will definitely limit rushing attack at some point.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 22, 2014
Getting more WRs involved is "a work in progress ... a little bit frustrating," Andersen says. Alex Erickson was only WR with a catch Sat.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 22, 2014
Andersen says #Badgers are "close to getting better" on third downs. Were 3-of-7 vs. Bowling Green.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 22, 2014
GA said it's a priority to start connecting on deep shots in the passing game.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 22, 2014
GA: "I don't think (the OL) played bad when we didn't run the ball well. The difference in (BG game) is ability to be cleaner at TE and FB."
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 22, 2014
Aside from praise for #Badgers' OL, Andersen really compliments TEs and FBs, especially Sam Arneson and Austin Ramesh.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 22, 2014
GA on #Badgers O-line: "Nobody takes more pride in running the ball effectively than those 5 kids"
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) September 22, 2014
On a S (Caputo) leading in tackles: "Some people might be concerned. Not in the style of defense we're playing. He's having a special year"
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) September 22, 2014
GA: "This is the first time I'll give the special teams a championship effort. We need to punt the ball better. Drew's working on it."
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 22, 2014
GA: "Tanner's got a long ways to go as a QB. He knows that. But he's very productive right now and fitting in his role in the offense."
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 22, 2014
Andersen on Melvin Gordon: "It did my heart good for that kid to have that opportunity in that game. That's why it's great to see."
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 22, 2014