Wisconsin hasn't won at Northwestern since the 1990s, but that's sort of misleading since the two teams haven't played very much. Regardless, as Badgers head coach Gary Andersen reminded the media during his weekly Monday press conference, zero UW players have played at Ryan Field in Evanston. That's because UW hasn't been to Northwestern since 2009.
Badgers coach Gary Andersen on NW: "We will go to stadium (on arrival). I have not been there. ... Not a kid on team that has played there.
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezWSJ) September 29, 2014
In fact, the Badgers haven't won in Evanston since the 1990s. That's kinda misleading, though, and we'll probably hear about it for the remainder of the week. As you'll see below, the fact is the two teams just haven't met very often.
| G ▾ | Date | School | Opponent | Pts | Opp | W | L | Streak | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | Oct 12, 2013 | Wisconsin | Northwestern | W | 35 | 6 | 56 | 32 | W 2 | |
| 91 | Nov 27, 2010 | Wisconsin | Northwestern | W | 70 | 23 | 55 | 32 | W 1 | |
| 90 | Nov 21, 2009 | Wisconsin | @ | Northwestern | L | 31 | 33 | 54 | 32 | L 1 |
| 89 | Oct 7, 2006 | Wisconsin | Northwestern | W | 41 | 9 | 54 | 31 | W 1 | |
| 88 | Oct 8, 2005 | Wisconsin | @ | Northwestern | L | 48 | 51 | 53 | 31 | L 1 |
| 87 | Oct 23, 2004 | Wisconsin | Northwestern | W | 24 | 12 | 53 | 30 | W 1 | |
| 86 | Oct 25, 2003 | Wisconsin | @ | Northwestern | L | 7 | 16 | 52 | 30 | L 2 |
| 85 | Sep 23, 2000 | Wisconsin | Northwestern | L | 44 | 47 | 52 | 29 | L 1 | |
| 84 | Oct 30, 1999 | Wisconsin | @ | Northwestern | W | 35 | 19 | 52 | 28 | W 3 |
That was one of the highlights of head coach Gary Andersen's weekly Monday press conference in Madison. Here are the rest of the noteworthy updates, organized by theme. We'll follow up with in-depth stories throughout the week, as always.
On the defense limiting South Florida:
South Florida ran just 38 plays against the #Badgers. "Defense should be fresh," Gary Andersen said.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) September 29, 2014
Gary Andersen said South Florida ran 10 plays in the 2nd half on Saturday: "I've never been around that in my life." #Badgers
— Jesse Temple (@jessetemple) September 29, 2014
Badgers coach Gary Andersen on defense: "If sustain that and maintain that through 12 regular-season games, they'll be a special defense
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezWSJ) September 29, 2014
On the passing game's struggles:
GA on QB-C issues: Communication is the key. The good thing is we're not pointing fingers, but bad thing is we haven't been able to fix it.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 29, 2014
Badgers coach Gary Andersen on center/QB exchange: "Haven't seen it in practice, but it shows up in games (at key times)
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezWSJ) September 29, 2014
Badgers coach Gary Andersen on improving pass game: "We need to mold the offense to be as effective as can be w/young men we have.
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezWSJ) September 29, 2014
Badgers coach Gary Andersen: "We don't want to be pigeon-holed as an offense and we're working hard not to be.
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezWSJ) September 29, 2014
Andersen says younger wide receivers need to show up in practice. Won't get more reps until they show it consistently during the week.
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) September 29, 2014
GA said Rob Wheelwright was healthy all last week and is ready to go physically, which leads to believe he's struggling with other aspects
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) September 29, 2014
Badgers coach Gary Andersen: "I'd like to see some of the young WRs get in the moment &show us all that they are prepared to take next step
— Rob Hernandez (@RobHernandezWSJ) September 29, 2014
GA: "Just because you are physicality prepared to play at this level doesn't mean you are mentally prepared." Points to young WRs
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) September 29, 2014
GA said TE Austin Traylor played his best game against USF. Said he's happy with the direction young TEs are moving.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 29, 2014
GA said UW's trying to get McEvoy some high-percentage completions early in games. Off staff focused on early success, maintaining drives.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 29, 2014
GA on idea of #Badgers being "flat" in 1st half: "I think a lot of that can get overblown in a game like that. The effort is there."
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) September 29, 2014
On Northwestern:
GA on NW's offensive scheme: "With Siemian, the option stuff isn't as much there. He hasn't pulled it a bunch and get himself moving."
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) September 29, 2014
GA on Northwestern QB Siemian: "His feeling and command and understanding of the offense has grown" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) September 29, 2014
GA said if you don't think Northwestern is a good football team, you don't know much about football.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) September 29, 2014
On Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement:
GA on Gordon "playing angry" -- "That's great. When you grow as a player, you know what gets you ready for a game" #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) September 29, 2014
GA: If I was a DC, it would bother me (when Melvin and Corey are both on the field). It's tough enough to handle one of them.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 29, 2014
Andersen said the Gordon-Clement package won't become a staple in the offense, but Badgers like the challenge it presents for defenses.
— Jason Galloway (@Jason_Galloway) September 29, 2014
Jumping in here: perhaps this is just semantics, but why shouldn't we see Gordon and Clement together on the field all the time?
On UW's secondary:
GA on CBs: "Those 4 kids have grown and developed. I'd say we've been steady there" - Hillary had championship performance vs USF #Badgers
— Badger Football (@BadgerFootball) September 29, 2014
GA says UW has been steady at CB, but there's room for improvement. Says pre-snap awareness, communication and tackling need to improve
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) September 29, 2014
On Joel Stave:
Joel Stave update: Andersen says he was involved in some team reps last week, expects him to get more this week. #Badgers
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 29, 2014
Injury update:
#Badgers don't expect any players back this week. After the Oct. 11 Illinois game, 2-3 should be healthy. Hopefully that includes Herring.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) September 29, 2014