Bucky's 5th Quarter - Nebraska vs. Wisconsin 2016: Everything to know about Week 9 of the Badgers' seasonWelcome to the unofficial online tavern of the Wisconsin Badgers. Please seat yourself.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47803/buckys-fave.png2016-11-04T17:33:35-05:00http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/rss/stream/132178012016-11-04T17:33:35-05:002016-11-04T17:33:35-05:00Film Study: Behind UW’s breakdown in pass protection vs. Nebraska
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<img alt="Sports: Wisconsin Spring Game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Lv0ifa1EB8HsDUNzfdryAcCEDIc=/0x0:4060x2707/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51686997/usa-today-9265431.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Analysis of UW’s big men against the Huskers on Saturday.</p> <p id="src9h7">It’s something synonymous with the Wisconsin football program. Mammoth humans that block out the sun creating rushing lanes for running backs. It’s what Barry Alvarez built the program upon; however, when the current head coach of the Oregon State Beavers — or “He Who Shall Not Be Named” — took over (then left), the program has slowly been rebuilding the identity of Wisconsin football. </p>
<p id="4Xrej2">The 2016 football season was supposed to be the rebirth of playing “Wisconsin” football, featuring a smash-mouth rushing attack and playing stout, hard-nosed and any other cliched phrase of defense. Thus far, head coach Paul Chryst hasn’t disappointed. </p>
<p id="DvFDh9">There has been one aspect of the team that appears to be seemingly underachieving or taking longer to develop: the offensive line.</p>
<p id="2i0aBO">While Wisconsin is mostly known for an offensive line larger than most professional units, they usually aren’t known as being the most athletic linemen around. Sure, there are exceptions such as current NFL standouts Joe Thomas, Kevin Zeitler and Travis Frederick, but the vast majority of Wisconsin linemen are known as road graders that don’t operate in areas much larger than a phone booth. While this has paid nearly invaluable dividends in the run game, it has at times been issue in pass protection. </p>
<p id="ibGBht">Jon Dietzen was a heralded freshman coming out of Seymour, near Green Bay, and has played pretty well this season. However, he returned from a right leg injury, and from what I see, the effects may have played a role against Nebraska. </p>
<p id="Ug5wOJ">Here are two plays late in the second quarter which resulted in consecutive sacks.</p>
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<figcaption>This is a classic slide protection</figcaption>
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<p id="9nN6sM">On this play, the Badgers line up in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends). Tight ends Troy Fumagalli and Eric Steffes both go out in route, so they don’t impact the protection scheme. It’s a simple six-man protection, the five offensive linemen and running back Corey Clement. </p>
<p id="wc2UGV">Clement has eyes on the Mike (middle) linebacker, left tackle Ryan Ramczyk is man up on the defensive end. Center Michael Deiter, right guard Beau Benzschawel and right tackle David Edwards are all in the “slide” — meaning they are all going to the right, and are three for three with Nebraska’s linebacker and two defensive linemen. </p>
<p id="1piMTO">The most important block here is Dietzen’s. Due to the “three” technique being exactly that, he is man-on in protection. He has the most important block because the slide is leaving him alone. He CANNOT get beat backdoor, or to the inside, because his help is leaving. </p>
<p id="nLgijC">Carlos Davis feasted on the redshirt freshman guard’s inability to transition well with his post foot (up foot, right foot). </p>
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<figcaption>Ramczyk is picture perfect, while Dietzen and Edwards get beat.</figcaption>
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<p id="Qash7n">Dietzen is unable to transition his weight to his left foot in order to keep his post foot in front of Davis, and he’s beat inside — the protection is doomed. However, what compounds this is Edwards getting beat outside somehow. The redshirt freshman and converted tight end is greener than grass, but in a slide protection, there should really be no way that an end is able to get around him to the outside. Sorry, Bart. </p>
<p id="kPCfmp">Two plays later, this happens.</p>
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<figcaption>This is not #good. </figcaption>
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<p id="a7WHyP">Ahh, the curse of being 6’6. Dietzen is getting forklifted back into Houston, again by Davis. The redshirt freshman cannot anchor on his right leg and drive off of it, which is the exact defense to being bull rushed by a defensive tackle. </p>
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<figcaption>I promise that this isn’t how Coach Joe Rudolph teaches countering a bull rush.</figcaption>
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<p id="BhCng4">Dietzen is in no-man’s-land here. Not only has he lost the leverage battle, but he lost the hand fight as well. At this point, the redshirt freshman is just along for the ride. </p>
<p id="GD25fr">There will undoubtedly be better and healthier days for Dietzen, as well as the rest of the Badgers offensive line in pass protection. Benzschawel was eaten alive in pass pro against Ohio State, and Jacob Maxwell against Iowa. </p>
<p id="kKYaFf">Many, myself included, were a little too quick to anticipate the growth of this unit because they were a year older and more experienced. The group, which still doesn’t have a senior (preseason All-American candidate Dan Voltz retired), has taken their lumps, and again suffered through a barrage of injuries. </p>
<p id="E5sC24">They will undoubtedly improve, but it is certainly time to accept the face that, aside from Ramczyk and Deiter, for the time being the offensive line isn’t up to the standard set by past Badger lines. You know what? That’s entirely OK. </p>
<p id="QcmMDN">Looking forward to Northwestern, it will be important for this group to control the line of scrimmage. Blocking Northwestern’s stud linebacker Anthony Walker on the second level will be integral, which is on the large shoulders of Dietzen, Benzschawel and Micah Kapoi. Being able to even get in the way of Walker and the other linebackers will be huge for Clement, Dare Ogunbowale and Bradrick Shaw to get into the second level at full speed. </p>
<p id="CRvOcd">This unit will #BecomeGreatAgain, but it will take time. Without any seniors, this is the group moving forward. Buckle up for the ride; While bumpy, it will be fun as well. </p>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/11/4/13495066/wisconsin-football-film-study-nebraska-jon-dietzen-david-edwardsOwen Riese2016-11-03T11:56:11-05:002016-11-03T11:56:11-05:00Barry Alvarez issues statement on fan incident during Nebraska game
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Wisconsin's AD addresses the fan incident at the Nebraska game that generated national headlines.</p> <p id="ly3EFT">Last Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/10/29/13468492/wisconsin-nebraska-clinton-trump-obama-costumes">two fans wore a despicable set of costumes </a>involving Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump lynching Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and President Obama with a noose.</p>
<p id="bSMkar">The fan complied with the UW athletics staff to remove the noose and was not ejected from the game. The university released a statement immediately after the 23-17 overtime win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers, stating, “while repugnant AND COUNTER TO THE VALUES OF THE UNIVERSITY AND ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT, was an exercise of the individual's right to free speech. The university also exercised its rights by asking the individual to remove the offensive parts of the costume.” </p>
<p id="fe7q0d">UW-Madison chancellor Rebecca Blank echoed similar sentiments <a href="http://news.wisc.edu/blank-statement-on-uw-vs-nebraska-game/">in a statement </a>on Oct. 30.</p>
<p id="u7yjTy">Many felt this wasn’t enough and criticized the reactions by the university.</p>
<p id="iU7Odo">Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10207168517481739&id=1546699946">met with community leaders,</a> including Boys & Girls Club of Dane County president and CEO Michael Johnson, on Wednesday. Alvarez issued a statement later in the day:</p>
<p id="Wk3Axh">“I am deeply troubled by the incident from last Saturday’s game and I am sorry for the harm it caused. I am determined that nothing like this will happen again.</p>
<p id="BtshDO">“I appreciated the opportunity to meet with a number of community leaders and students this afternoon to discuss our stadium policies. Our plan, before our next home football game, is to have a revised policy in place. Our department is committed to working collaboratively to make our stadium a great and safe place for fans to watch a football game.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"I am determined that nothing like this will happen again."<br><br>- Barry Alvarez <a href="https://t.co/0MhU8IuUC0">pic.twitter.com/0MhU8IuUC0</a></p>— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/UWBadgers/status/793939597990326273">November 2, 2016</a>
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<p id="J2DBXD">Johnson tweeted early <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://7">Thursday morning</a> that it was a “step in the right direction.”</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">A step in the right direction. We will have this policy done by the next Badgers football game.</p>— Michael Johnson (@MJohnsonCEO) <a href="https://twitter.com/MJohnsonCEO/status/794129593158377472">November 3, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks for taking the time to meet. We deeply value our relationship with community leaders like you & positive change is a priority for us. <a href="https://t.co/fkBuiKi032">https://t.co/fkBuiKi032</a></p>— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/UWBadgers/status/793939269043691521">November 2, 2016</a>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/11/3/13509780/wisconsin-football-barry-alvarez-issues-statement-on-fan-incident-during-nebraska-gameJake Kocorowski2016-10-31T10:44:24-05:002016-10-31T10:44:24-05:00Roundtable: What next for Wisconsin after Nebraska win?
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<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A group reflection on a tough win in Madison.</p> <p id="kbG2MO">Welcome back to another installment of our B5Q roundtable sessions, where the points don’t count and we always fire <a href="https://twitter.com/drewhamm5">Drew Hamm.</a></p>
<p id="XOEayu">In all honesty, we’re thinking one Jon Beidelschies may take Drew’s place for his <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/22/13366982/wisconsin-iowa-football-grades-corey-clement-bart-houston-alex-hornibrook">[insert fire emoji] take</a> on Wisconsin’s white facemasks last week <em>(Jake’s note: Really, Jon? REALLY?)</em>.</p>
<p id="LyszQu">The No. 11 Badgers outlasted the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers 23-17 on Saturday night in an overtime thriller at Camp Randall Stadium that had many people’s hearts in their chests and consuming either antacids, some form of alcohol or a combination of the two.</p>
<p id="6nQPYq">Three of our writers decided to take some time out of their weekends to offer their analysis on the Badgers’ third win over a top-10 opponent this season.</p>
<h3 id="wXigbM">The Good: What went well for Wisconsin?</h3>
<p id="DsDVji"><a href="https://twitter.com/RieseDraft">Owen Riese:</a> They finally found a way to grind out a close game against a good team. While the defense looked (slightly) vulnerable at times, and the offense was far from smooth, they gutted it out, and found a way to come out with a W in a big-time environment. This has to be a staple win for Paul Chryst’s short tenure here so far. </p>
<p id="89WvYo"><a href="https://twitter.com/jonbei013">Jon Beidelschies:</a> God bless the linebacking corps. They have been plug-and-play all year with Chris Orr and Jack Cichy missing time. When T.J. Watt went down briefly in the second half, you could feel the collective tension in the online Wisconsin diaspora. The depth in that unit is unbelievable—as Kevin mentions below, Leon Jacobs and Ryan Connelly came up big. Jacobs was a fullback at the start of the fall. This was a really good win, despite some terrifying play on the offensive side of the ball and that is almost entirely to the credit of defense.</p>
<p id="llskW5"><a href="https://twitter.com/da_chief_24">Kevin O’Connell: </a>The secondary was superb on Saturday. Sojourn Shelton probably had his best game of the year, finishing with two pass breakups and an impressive interception in the first quarter. Derrick Tindal returned from his injury in a big way, also registering two pass breakups, one where he was left on an island and made a great play on the ball. And of course D’Cota Dixon was huge for Wisconsin, making the winning play on fourth down in overtime and picking off Tommy Armstrong in the second quarter with help from a batted pass. With Armstrong’s mobility and arm strength, Nebraska had plenty of shots down field but just couldn’t break off any big plays (besides a 36-yard catch by Jordan Westerkamp) thanks to the play of the secondary. The front seven was solid once again (Jacobs and Connelly were everywhere) but this was a game where Shelton and co. really shined and reminded you how complete of a defensive unit the Badgers have.</p>
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<h3 id="1cIlvO">The Bad: Where do you see areas for improvement?</h3>
<p id="xVZMRY"><strong>Owen:</strong> Offense. Honestly, in almost every respect. The quarterback play has been subpar, and that's putting it nicely. The only above average throw was to Troy Fumagalli on the first touchdown drive. The running game was mostly stale, which goes to the offensive line. While they kept more continuity on the line than in a while, they still struggled to adapt to the speed of the Nebraska front. They have to continue to improve.</p>
<p id="vLi7VN"><strong>Jon:</strong> Whew. Well, even taking into account the really tough teams the Badgers have played the past few weeks, it’s pretty clear that something is amiss on the offensive side of the ball. As Owen mentions above, the running game is really hit or miss. It seems particularly acute when Alex Hornibrook is in for reasons that remain unclear. The specialist play was very rough against the Cornhuskers. It’s easy to forget that Anthony Lotti is a true freshman, but his shank late in the first half could have really hurt. The defense is tough but the other units have to take some of the pressure off. </p>
<p id="FCQalF"><strong>Kevin:</strong> While the quarterback play is anything but solidified, Wisconsin needs to figure out the kicking situation. In <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/23/13372354/wisconsin-football-iowa-recap-alex-hornibrook-corey-clement-jack-cichy">last week’s roundtable</a>, I wrote how I was worried Andrew Endicott would eventually cost the Badgers a game and it nearly happened against Nebraska. Endicott missed a potential game-winning 45-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter and missed an extra point in overtime that gave the Cornhuskers a chance for a walk-off win if it wasn’t for the defense. Unfortunately, the Badgers may have to just live with the kicking woes as redshirt freshman Zach Hintze is the only other healthy kicker on the roster.</p>
<h3 id="7Dh4ne">Game Ball: Spread the love around—which Badgers deserve it?</h3>
<p id="jTKOHO"><strong>Owen:</strong> Dare Ogunbowale, Jacobs, Connelly, Shelton and Dixon. All had big performances in a big game. The secondary made up for a lack of pass rush last night in a big way. They're gonna need to be that good next week in Evanston.</p>
<p id="ydeP4x"><strong>Jon:</strong> Owen got greedy and took the whole roster. I wholeheartedly co-sign on his choice. Kudos to the front seven—they were tipping passes all day long, including an Alec James tip that Dixon snared and they generally kept Nebraska in check all day.</p>
<p id="jhsOC0"><strong>Kevin:</strong> It has to be Ogunbowale. What a pleasant surprise the former walk-on continues to be at running back for the Badgers. After a solid 2015 season, Ogunbowale has established himself as one of Wisconsin’s best and most reliable weapons this year. The former defensive back finished with 120 rushing yards on only 11 carries, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime. The former walk-on has a knack for finding open space, can catch the ball out of the backfield and has been the perfect compliment to Corey Clement in Chryst’s offense.</p>
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<h3 id="W8njnT">Up Next: Northwestern. Early keys to the game in that <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/31/13470390/wisconsin-northwestern-exorcising-the-ghosts-of-evanston">Bermuda Triangle-sized void of Wisconsin prosperity known as Evanston</a>?</h3>
<p id="2e97Pn"><strong>Owen:</strong> Pass rushing has to improve, Clayton Thorson is improving as a passer and the Badgers have to make him uncomfortable. I think it's also important that the Badgers continue to run the ball. Even with the issues at quarterback, do what you do, don't try to “fix” the throwing game by forcing the issue. Dance with who brung ya.</p>
<p id="ILs4Dx"><strong>Jon:</strong> I will be writing more extensively on the Evanston-is-a-pit-of-despair topic in my column this week. (<em>Editor’s note: He already did. It’s linked above. </em><a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/31/13470390/wisconsin-northwestern-exorcising-the-ghosts-of-evanston"><em>And right here</em></a><em>. Read at your own peril.</em>) Hopefully getting away from top-10 foes will create a little more breathing space, but the Wildcats have righted the ship of late. As I’ve said all year, the Badgers are a really good team. If they are able to execute, they should be able to walk out of Ryan Field with a win.</p>
<p id="DsHEGY"><strong>Kevin:</strong> Uncharacteristically, Northwestern looks more like a Big 12 team then it does the smashmouth, run-first team they usually trot out. Thorson has had over 30 pass attempts in seven of eight games and thrown for almost 2,000 yards on the year, so I expect the Wildcats to test Wisconsin’s secondary much like Nebraska did over the weekend. This game will be a good challenge for the defense as they face an offensive unit that put up 38 and 54 points in road games at Iowa and Michigan State, respectively, earlier in the month. The Badgers are a better all-around team and I expect them to take care of business, but don’t be surprised if both teams are able to put up some points in Evanston.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/31/13471404/wisconsin-football-nebraska-dare-ogunbowale-leon-jacobs-ryan-connellyJake KocorowskiOwen RieseJon BeidelschiesKevin O'Connell2016-10-31T09:55:34-05:002016-10-31T09:55:34-05:00Ryan Connelly named Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week
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<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Another former walk-on earns the weekly honor.</p> <p id="LaLf5e">Wisconsin Badgers inside linebacker Ryan Connelly earned Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in Saturday’s 23-17 overtime win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers, the <a href="https://twitter.com/B1Gfootball/status/793098205558824960">conference announced on Monday.</a></p>
<p id="pnV4l4">Connelly recorded 11 tackles (seven solo), including two for loss. He was also credited with two pass breakups. </p>
<p id="CKH5tK">Both Connelly and redshirt junior Leon Jacobs each registered 11 tackles for the Badgers (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) in the victory on Saturday night in place of redshirt junior Jack Cichy, who was lost for the remainder of 2016 due to a torn pectoral suffered in their road win at Iowa. </p>
<p id="6uDgPM">Connelly and Jacobs paced a defense that held a Nebraska offense averaging over 211 yards per game rushing and 236 passing to 152 and 153, respectively. </p>
<p id="9Db3Dw">The former walk-on from Eden Prairie, Minn., shared this week’s honors with Indiana linebacker Marcus Oliver.</p>
<p id="HWge1M">This year alone, two other Wisconsin defenders have earned the Defensive Player of the Week honor, both linebackers. Cichy was <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/17/13305058/wisconsin-football-jack-cichy-big-ten-defensive-player-of-the-week">bestowed the distinction</a> after recording 15 tackles in Wisconsin’s 30-23 overtime loss to Ohio State two weeks ago. The conference <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/9/26/13058862/wisconsin-football-tj-watt-big-ten-defensive-player-of-week">awarded redshirt junior T.J. Watt</a> the honor after his performance against Michigan State where he recorded 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B1G?src=hash">#B1G</a> Co-Defensive Players of the Week are <a href="https://twitter.com/HoosierFootball">@HoosierFootball</a> LB Marcus Oliver & <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball">@BadgerFootball</a> LB Ryan Connelly <a href="https://t.co/Rzt1Gkx7Xf">pic.twitter.com/Rzt1Gkx7Xf</a></p>— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/B1Gfootball/status/793098205558824960">October 31, 2016</a>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/31/13477642/wisconsin-football-ryan-connelly-big-ten-defensive-player-of-weekJake Kocorowski2016-10-30T13:17:57-05:002016-10-30T13:17:57-05:00Wisconsin jumps in both AP, coaches polls
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<p>Paul Chryst’s crew is back in the top 10.</p> <p id="NUDSk3">After defeating their third top-10 opponent this season, the Wisconsin Badgers moved up in the rankings this week.</p>
<p id="EaIswS">Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) bumped up to No. 8 in both the <a href="http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll">AP Top 25</a> and the <a href="http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/football/polls/coaches-poll/2016/10/">Amway Coaches Poll</a>.</p>
<p id="9c5Utt">In the AP poll, Michigan (8-0, 5-0) still remains at No. 2, while Ohio State (No. 6), Wisconsin and Nebraska (now No. 9) round out the top 10. Penn State (6-2, 4-1) continues its move upwards—now No. 20—after its 62-24 win at Purdue on Saturday.</p>
<p id="qnmWpY">The coaches poll shows four Big Ten teams in the top 10, with the Wolverines still at No. 2, followed by the Buckeyes (No. 6), Badgers and Huskers (No. 10). The Nittany Lions entered these rankings at No. 23 this week.</p>
<p id="52YGLq">LSU, who Wisconsin defeated at Lambeau Field in the season opener, is No. 14 in the coaches and No. 15 in the AP rankings.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/30/13469904/college-football-rankings-polls-week-10-wisconsin-northwesternJake Kocorowski2016-10-30T12:40:55-05:002016-10-30T12:40:55-05:00Toughness, “grit” lift Wisconsin to win
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<p>Another pulse-pounding win for the Badgers.</p> <p id="apJHFN">MADISON — Wisconsin was in this position before. Two weeks ago, to be exact.</p>
<p id="TemJN9">Tied against a top-10 opponent heading into an extra frame, with a two-score advantage wiped out when the Badgers couldn’t land a knockout punch earlier in the game.</p>
<p id="It4kvV">Throughout the season, No. 11 Wisconsin has played in close contests. Six of the Badgers’ first seven games were decided by eight points or less. </p>
<p id="Jue4r0">Saturday night against the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers, the Badgers wouldn’t let a second consecutive night game at Camp Randall Stadium fall through their hands. Call it moxie, resilience or that oh-so-popular buzzword “grit,” but UW fought through injuries, a lost lead and missed opportunities to defeat the Huskers 23-17 in another overtime thriller.</p>
<p id="BKZtiA">“We don’t flinch, because we’ve been there before,” inside linebacker Ryan Connelly said. “This isn’t anything new to us. Especially in the Big Ten, it’s going to be four quarters, and we’re built to stand four quarters. The experience in being in these close games really helps us out, that allows us to execute in crunch time.”</p>
<p id="wn9yrG">Wisconsin (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) has been able to withstand adversity due to its depth on defense, but injuries have dwindled the depth chart to the point it could have significantly decreased the Badgers’ success. Most notably at inside linebacker, the UW already lost sophomore inside linebacker Chris Orr (right knee) against LSU for the rest of 2016, later compounded when redshirt junior Jack Cichy was announced out for the remainder of the season on Monday due to a torn pectoral muscle.</p>
<p id="kVj1DS">Insert Connelly <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/30/13469364/wisconsin-football-nebraska-dare-ogunbowale-leon-jacobs-tommy-armstrong">and redshirt junior Leon Jacobs</a>. Though the defense missed the energetic and highly productive Cichy, the two backers each recorded 11 tackles against a potent Nebraska offense.</p>
<p id="TGsnbE">“Collectively, we have a lot of linebackers in the rotation,” redshirt senior outside linebacker Vince Biegel said. “We’re going to need all of them if we want to get to where we want to be.”</p>
<p id="SutLEF">Connelly continued to be a “glue” guy, plugging a hole left due to injury and not allowing the defense to miss a beat. Like Cichy before him, he flew across the field to make plays.</p>
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<p id="cLTDXp">His two tackles for loss came at critical moments. After Nebraska intercepted a Bart Houston pass, the Huskers drove down the field to the Wisconsin 21-yard line and attempted some trickery with a reverse to returning wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp. Connelly sniffed out their deception and dropped Westerkamp for a one-yard loss. That held the Huskers to a Drew Brown field goal to tie the game in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p id="xTwMLE">In overtime, Connelly tackled senior running back Terrell Newby behind the line of scrimmage for a one-yard loss, forcing a 3rd-and-long for a Nebraska offense that ended the game 9-of-18 in that category.</p>
<p id="3C3JPV">“During camp and all year, coaches always stress pursuit, pursuit to the ball, because you never know if the first guy is going to get them down or not,” said Connelly, who revealed there was a system for when he and Jacobs would switch into the game. “I think that kind of showed tonight the ability for our defense to pursue the ball.”</p>
<p id="LzX1Qt">Jacobs, who’s bounced around in all three phases of the game, continued to show his versatility, unselfishness and willingness to step in where needed.</p>
<p id="uwXnrk">“Whether it was going to fullback and then going back to linebacker, he’s on a bunch of our special teams,” head coach Paul Chryst said. “I think he is an example of this group and that they will do anything they can to help this team be the best it can be.”</p>
<p id="4Wl3LR">Offensively, Wisconsin mustered 337 yards on the evening, 223 on the ground. The power running game was stuffed often by a ready and talented Huskers defense, but Dare Ogunbowale asserted himself in a huge way.</p>
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<p id="XPwmrn">The team captain and redshirt senior ran for a season-high 120 yards on 11 carries. Eight of those 11 runs came out of 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers), and those gained 110 yards—including the eventual game-winning score.</p>
<p id="W9C7mV">“It’s great watching Dare,” redshirt freshman running back Bradrick Shaw said. “Team leader, excellent running back, and when he is doing good, the team does too.”</p>
<p id="aFuNiC">At halftime, Wisconsin led 10-7 despite gaining only 132 total yards. Despite four of its first five drives ending with three-and-outs, there were two explosive plays on offense that carried UW to its first score.</p>
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<p id="n8HoM0">On Wisconsin’s second offensive series, quarterback Alex Hornibrook found tight end Troy Fumagalli for a 30-yard gain. The next play, Shaw took the handoff and sprinted 21 yards for a 7-0 lead.</p>
<p id="6z7JEU">Nebraska was given great field position in three drives in the first half, starting at its 40-yard line or better. Again, the Badgers’ defense proved effective despite a couple of hiccups that resulted in the Huskers’ first touchdown. Two of those three series ended with interceptions, one each from senior cornerback Sojourn Shelton and junior safety D’Cota Dixon, which halted further momentum for the Huskers.</p>
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<p id="DeAUBN">Dixon’s pick off a deflected pass from redshirt junior defensive end Alec James led to an Andrew Endicott 44-yard field goal to make it a three-point advantage.</p>
<p id="eC6wgT">In the first offensive drive of the second half, Wisconsin drove 73 yards in 13 plays behind some impressive runs by redshirt senior Dare Ogunbowale. Hornibrook later found senior wide receiver Robert Wheelwright for a nine-yard touchdown to make it a 17-7 lead.</p>
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<p id="uttWJ1">As seen in previous weeks, the Badgers built a deeper lead but couldn’t put the nail in the coffin. UW’s defense forced a three-and-out immediately after its second touchdown of the game, but the offense stalled out. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong guided his offense down the field on a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ended with his two-yard touchdown run to make it a three-point game.</p>
<p id="9bn3Xw">On the whole, Wisconsin defended Nebraska’s offense well—one that came into the game averaging over 200 yards rushing and 236 passing. The Huskers rushed for 152 yards and gained only 153 through the air. Armstrong himself completed only 12 of 31 passes with the two interceptions.</p>
<p id="9kVR8h">But it was second-half turnovers by Wisconsin that gave life to Nebraska’s chances of upending UW. Interceptions by Hornibrook and redshirt senior Bart Houston in the second half—with both still switching series eight games into the season—allowed Nebraska to stay in the game and ultimately tie it at 17-17 with 3:43 remaining.</p>
<p id="kpyWPx">“The one today, I just need to have a plan in my head and execute it,” Hornibrook said. “I could’ve thrown it underneath instead of forcing it downfield—but I’m going to improve on today.”</p>
<p id="cGAVNm">Wisconsin drove to the Nebraska 26-yard line with under two minutes left, but Endicott’s 45-yard attempt sailed wide left, and after the defense held its ground... another missed opportunity.</p>
<p id="sjiDAr">The Badgers’ defense again bailed them out with energy in Nebraska’s favor, and a second overtime game under the lights of the Camp would be fought.</p>
<p id="Xe9M4r">Instead of stalling like it had against Ohio State, the offensive ground game dictated the fifth quarter. Senior running back Corey Clement ran the ball three times for 14 yards, and the Badgers hit paydirt when Ogunbowale took the handoff 11 yards for the game-deciding score.</p>
<p id="Oo5UQb">Endicott, however, missed the extra point, which could have been disastrous if Armstrong led the offense for another touchdown.</p>
<p id="9PdVQ1">But again, the defense—Wisconsin’s rock and undoubted strength—knew it had to stymie the Huskers one last time.</p>
<p id="ABw3RS">“As a defense, that was kind of an opportunity to say, ‘We can really make an imprint right now—we can really show people what our defense is about.’ I would definitely think everyone was thinking that,” Connelly said. “The fact we knew we had to keep them out of the end zone was definitely in the back of our heads. We bowed up, and made the stop.”</p>
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<p id="d3Szfh">Nebraska could only snap the four plays it was allotted in that extra frame as Wisconsin’s defense held its ground. On fourth down, Armstrong heaved up a prayer for wide receiver Stanley Moran, Jr. Dixon, who just narrowly missed a game-ending interception the play earlier, perfectly positioned himself to breakup the pass and secure the win.</p>
<p id="4XbMne">“I was just reading the quarterback with two-man under, so I told Sojourn, ‘Trust the safeties, trust Leo and I. We will be over the top,’ and he threw it,” Dixon said. “I was just trying to make a play on the ball. Fortunately, it was in our favor and he didn’t catch it.”</p>
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<p id="GPWmue">The crowd erupted after the ball dropped incomplete in the end zone. Wisconsin secured the Freedom Trophy once again in another close win against Nebraska, but also defeated its third top-10 team this season. That has never been done in school history.</p>
<p id="aN2EMu">There’s still work to do, with a critical road game at Northwestern next week and three more conference games left after that. Injuries have taken a toll on the team, there are questions at the quarterback position and many players admitted they need to continue to improve to reach the team’s goals. Yet the Badgers have continued to fight through adversity all season.</p>
<p id="LgS5uu">“I think the one thing that sticks out is that they played for each other and guys got to step up,” Chryst said. “They find their way to step up and it doesn’t matter what happens—they keep playing the next play and I’m proud of that.”</p>
<p id="d9Bpbq"><em>[Update Dec. 11 — Corrected Dixon’s eligibility to junior. Apologies for the mistake.]</em></p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/30/13469864/wisconsin-nebraska-dare-ogunbowale-bart-houston-alex-hornibrook-tommy-armstrongJake Kocorowski2016-10-30T10:13:12-05:002016-10-30T10:13:12-05:00Notebook: Dare Ogunbowale, Leon Jacobs and stopping Tommy Armstrong
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Nebraska at Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ai7kE_4q6MUCPbXK0GqiX28Ozgw=/40x146:2977x2104/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51597599/usa-today-9641603.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A few things that led to the Badgers upsetting the No. 7 team in the nation.</p> <p id="Rdbk5S">MADISON — Well, that was fun, right? RIGHT!?</p>
<p id="IhdqFy">The Wisconsin Badgers were able to edge by the No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers in primetime at home <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/29/13413110/wisconsin-nebraska-football-grades-corey-clement-bart-houston-alex-hornibrook">in overtime 23-17</a>. Though the Badgers have struggled to close out some close games thus far this season, they wouldn’t be denied in their second ESPN night game of the season. Again facing a top-seven team, the Badgers were able to lean on a couple veteran players who don’t always get the appreciation they deserve.</p>
<h3 id="SLuyPK">Dare Ogunbowale picks up slack in the running game</h3>
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<p id="5TK5af">In a game where it was pretty clear that stopping Corey Clement and the Badgers’ rushing attack was of utmost importance, it was fifth-year senior Dare Ogunbowale who was able to gash the Nebraska defense for some big gains, and ultimately the most important one, an 11-yard scamper into the end zone during overtime that sealed the victory the Badgers.</p>
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<p id="2CXgsq">In all, Ogunbowale rushed 11 times for 120 yards and the touchdown. In the opening drive of the second half, he rushed four times for 40 yards, and gains of 17 and 15 put the offense in the red zone. Alex Hornibrook was the able to find Robert Wheelwright for a touchdown which at the time put the Badgers up 10 points. </p>
<p id="HSC0eP">Redshirt freshman Bradrick Shaw, who also had a rushing touchdown, said this about his senior position mate: “It’s great watching Dare. Team leader, excellent running back, and when he is doing good, the team does too.”</p>
<p id="hqftZ0">In a game where Clement was effectively shut down with the exception of one run, Ogunbowale was able to pick up the slack and give the Badgers a different element. A feature back a year ago due to injuries, Ogunbowale gouged the Cornhuskers’ defense, mostly out of shotgun. Draw plays and sweeps to the outside did most of the damage for Ogunbowale.</p>
<p id="uG6WWh">When asked what makes Dare special, sophomore center Michael Deiter said: “Not only his leadership and all that stuff, but the way he can make people miss. When he gets out in space, he’s pretty lethal.” Left tackle Ryan Ramczyk also said: “It’s definitely a confidence boost when you see him running downfield.”</p>
<p id="nTuICG">Ogunbowale spoke on scoring the game-winning touchdown: “It was big. We have guys playing tough all season and coming up short in situations obviously that we don’t want to and for us to get that, win a close game like that for 60-plus minutes, was awesome.” </p>
<h3 id="l1hHJi">Leon Jacobs comes up huge for the defense</h3>
<p id="E0x7GG">Leon Jacobs started 2015 as a starting inside linebacker for the Badgers. He was ejected from the third game of the year for targeting, and was lost for the season due to a foot injury in game four. Then he was moved to fullback for spring ball, a position he played until early this season when he was moved back to inside linebacker after the depth that was plentiful and allowed the coaching staff to move him had been depleted.</p>
<p id="fobTYU">When asked about it, he said: “Yeah, there was [some apprehension], to switching again. I put everything into linebacker, then I was moved. Then I invested everything into playing fullback. So it was tough to move back again.”</p>
<p id="uVCbaw">Leon Jacobs had 11 tackles against Nebraska, tied for the team lead with fellow reserve inside linebacker Ryan Connelly.</p>
<p id="B0ofWN">His athleticism pops out immediately when watching him play. A prep running back, he was recruited to Penn State to play that position, but instead chose Madison, where they decided to play him at linebacker. </p>
<p id="Nu5X5b">Jacobs was vital in stopping the rushing attack of Tommy Armstrong Jr., a dual-threat quarterback who had a long rushing touchdown called back against the Badgers in 2015 during their contest in Lincoln. His athleticism allowed him to play Nebraska’s option from the inside out, which forced Armstrong to give the ball, rendering him unable to hurt the Badgers to his full potential with his legs.</p>
<p id="t4dG5T">Paul Chryst paid a very flattering compliment to Jacobs during the post-game press conference: “I think Leon’s another great example of a guy that will do anything he can to help this team. Whether it was going to fullback and then going back to linebacker... I think he is an example of this group and that they will do anything they can to help this team be the best it can be.”</p>
<h3 id="n3l0ez">Tommy Armstrong Jr. held in check</h3>
<p id="OMNtUk">One of the first things you’ll notice when watching the Nebraska offense is that Armstrong doesn’t fit. Recruited to Bo Pelini’s option-based rushing attack, he’s now in his second year of operating Mike Riley’s pro-style scheme.</p>
<p id="xu4eR0">Despite stretches of maddening inconsistency for Nebraska fans, he’s still their most lethal offensive weapon. Armstrong is truly a dual threat for the Huskers, as he entered the game with 380 rushing yards, along with his passing ability. He was held to 39 yards on 13 carries, with only a long of 10 yards.</p>
<p id="fpITsl">“All 11 guys on defense have a job, and when they all do that job, that’s how we’re able to hold guys,” Jacobs said.</p>
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<p id="54cXls">Armstrong, while rarely confused with a precise passer, struggled against the Badgers’ stifling defense. His final stat line was 12-of-31 for 153 yards and two interceptions, but 10 pass breakups, including two from D’Cota Dixon in overtime, kept Armstrong from connecting on more passes. In the first quarter, Armstrong was intercepted by Sojourn Shelton off of a deflected pass. Armstrong’s diminutive stature hurt him while in the pocket against Wisconsin, as he had four passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage.</p>
<p id="kpLKf0">The Badgers’ ability to keep Armstrong from hurting them with his legs played to their game plan of defending the pass.</p>
<p id="ubXhb3">“He was going to throw the ball up and give us a chance to make plays,” said Dixon, who had one interception and nearly a second on the third-down play before the defense ended the Huskers’ hopes for a victory in Madtown.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/30/13469364/wisconsin-football-nebraska-dare-ogunbowale-leon-jacobs-tommy-armstrongOwen Riese2016-10-29T23:37:00-05:002016-10-29T23:37:00-05:003 things we learned from Wisconsin’s win vs. Nebraska
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<p>It wasn’t always pretty, but Wisconsin got it done. Again.</p> <p id="eX9PzT">Two night games at Camp Randall, two overtime games? <em>[coughs] Sup ESPN, y’all should do this more often.</em></p>
<p id="yrs543">The first half of Saturday’s 23-17 Wisconsin win over Nebraska was dreadfully sloppy, with the Badgers leading 10-7 at halftime. The defense is still impossibly good, now on its fourth inside linebacker of the season, along with a backup nose tackle. Both quarterbacks saw reps in the first half, with Alex Hornibrook leading the touchdown drive and Bart Houston orchestrating the field goal drive.</p>
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<p id="owBxLg">In the second half, the Badgers opened up with a 13-play, 74-yard drive that ended in a play-action pass from Alex Hornibrook to Rob Wheelright for the redshirt senior’s first touchdown of the season, extending UW’s lead to two scores. However, that’s where the offense would stall and allow Nebraska to get back into it.</p>
<p id="kjkhrP">A pick apiece from Hornibrook and Houston gave Nebraska the ball back with 9:36 left in the fourth, but again the defense held. Nebraska would get down inside the Badgers’ 25, but was held to a field goal that tied the game with 3:43 remaining.</p>
<p id="AitBf0">The Badgers were able to drive down the field in short order, thanks in part to a 41-yard rumble from Corey Clement, but the drive stalled at the 27, and Endicott missed the 45-yard field goal attempt while falling on the play. Nebraska gained a first down, but was forced to punt to Wisconsin, who elected to take the game into overtime. </p>
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<p id="XDyuJA">Nebraska won the toss, and Wisconsin went right down and scored on four runs. Dare Ogunbowale scored the winning touchdown from 11 yards out on a sweep to the left. Endicott missed the ensuing extra point, but the Badger defense held on for the 23-17 victory. </p>
<p id="HU6UuS">Here are three takeaways from this game:</p>
<h3 id="8KYxCJ">1. The quarterback position is far from decided.</h3>
<p id="LoALfQ">Quarterback play left a lot to be desired in this one. Houston and Hornibrook had some real ugly throws. The last two drives of the game, Paul Chryst didn’t call a running play, and he’s lucky he didn’t need to.</p>
<p id="iqO4Gr">Hornibrook shows flashes of brilliance, but it’s still the “growing pains” and freshman mistakes that are stalling drives. For a passer as accurate as he is, he’s putting the ball in trouble areas, and they’re being intercepted. Houston looks at this point like a very low-ceiling player; he makes the plays he’s supposed to, but his decision-making ability is still very raw. On his interception, he failed to read the cover-two deep zone behind the man coverage and forced a ball into Wheelright when he didn’t need to. Neither player is “taking the job” per se, which makes the decision moving forward that much more difficult.</p>
<h3 id="jh1TVe">2. Special teams continue to give the Badgers fits.</h3>
<p id="4DkQS8">Andrew Endicott has performed admirably while replacing Rafael Gaglianone, but it’s still extremely apparent that he hasn’t been doing this very long. While missing a field goal from 45 yards out with less than two minutes remaining isn’t necessarily the ideal situation for your fifth-year senior kicker who a month ago was only a kickoff specialist, if he’s your guy, it’s tough when he doesn’t deliver. It appeared as though Endicott’s plant foot slipped, as he ended up on the ground after he kicked it. It nearly still went in, sailing over the left upright, but a miss is a miss and when it’s inside of two minutes, at home against a top-10 team in the nation, on primetime, under the lights, in your home stadium... you wish he’d make it. </p>
<p id="oODUKa">Punting has remained a sore spot for the Badgers, as true freshman Anthony Lotti hasn’t really seized the job from P.J. Rosowski like was expected. While he hit a 49-yarder tonight, his average for the game was under 40 yards per punt. This has yet to bite the Badgers, but it’s something you’d like to see remedied before it does.</p>
<h3 id="Z4Cio3">3. Man, are these players resilient. Leon Jacobs and Ryan Connelly in particular.</h3>
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<p id="7tgxBt">Ryan Connelly had his time in the spotlight during the LSU game, and he played well again tonight with 11 tackles, tied for the team lead with Leon Jacobs. He continues to execute filling in for players, Cichy especially, that were very highly thought of. A tackle for loss on a lead draw late in the fourth quarter was huge, and stalled the Nebraska drive. However, Connelly wasn’t even the most impressive backup inside linebacker.</p>
<p id="7Dni9B">Jacobs, maybe taken for granted by some fans, has had a heck of a ride. He was moved from linebacker to fullback during the spring due to depth at linebacker, and then moved back to linebacker when said depth was depleted rather quickly. Jacobs had 11 tackles against the Cornhuskers and was a major key in containing the rushing attack of Tommy Armstrong Jr., as well as most perimeter runs late in the second half. The ultra-athletic linebacker was as valuable against Nebraska as any Wisconsin defender in the victory—not bad for a guy who was a fullback two months ago.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2016/10/29/13467936/wisconsin-nebraska-recap-3-things-bart-houston-alex-hornibrook-ryan-connelly-leon-jacobsOwen Riese