Bucky's 5th Quarter - Northwestern vs. Wisconsin, 2017: Week 5 recaps, analysisWelcome to the unofficial online tavern of the Wisconsin Badgers. Please seat yourself.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47803/buckys-fave.png2017-10-06T19:53:11-05:00http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/rss/stream/161299392017-10-06T19:53:11-05:002017-10-06T19:53:11-05:00Wisconsin Freshman Watch: Week 5
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pp-a_x1RB3mAhd_D4boQFXN-twg=/0x0:2742x1828/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57042255/usa_today_10317347.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A trio of freshmen made an impact against the Wildcats.</p> <p id="BrcOCH">One of the most exciting things about <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/"><strong>Wisconsin Badgers</strong></a> football season is watching the freshmen contribute and develop throughout the year.</p>
<p id="K1SDaV">Through four games of the 2017 season, all victories for Wisconsin, we have already seen that there are a number of true and redshirt freshmen who will be significant contributors.</p>
<p id="DazwTr">Each week, I will rank the top three based on their respective positive impacts on the game. The Week 5 freshman power rankings are as follows:</p>
<h3 id="V5b1P4">3. DE <span>Isaiahh Loudermilk</span> (redshirt freshman)</h3>
<p id="TwSHn7">Loudermilk continues to be a cog in Wisconsin’s defensive line, finishing with 1 tackle and 0.5 sacks against Northwestern. While the numbers don’t stand out, Loudermilk has provided Jim Leonhard’s defensive line with some much-needed depth while defensive end <span>Chikwe Obasih</span> continues to recover from a leg injury. At 6’7’ and 306 pounds, the redshirt freshman is a mountain of a man and has the potential to become an important defensive contributor in 2017 and the coming years. Loudermilk popped up on the injury report this week, however, and is <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/5/16430338/wisconsin-football-injuries-troy-fumagalli-isaiahh-loudermilk-nebraska">currently questionable</a> for the Nebraska game with a leg injury. </p>
<h3 id="X5b2bh">2. WR Danny Davis (true freshman)</h3>
<p id="ubT8wt">Davis continued his hot start to the season with 50 receiving yards and a touchdown against the Wildcats. The true freshman has emerged as one of quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s most reliable deep threats but his route running was also on display in this game. With Wisconsin clinging to a 14-10 lead about halfway through the third quarter, Davis ran a beautiful ten-yard out route that he turned into a 32-yard catch and run. On that same drive, Davis caught the first touchdown of his career on a five-yard strike from Hornibrook in the back of the end zone. Nebraska has been surprisingly good against the run this season, ranking 22nd in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game, so I expect the Badgers to test the Cornhuskers’ leaky secondary with deep shots to both Davis and sophomore <span>Quintez Cephus</span>. </p>
<h3 id="KGpLAX">1. RB <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> (true freshman)</h3>
<p id="Egjft8">The most impressive part of Taylor’s freshman campaign thus far is the fact he has yet to have a real clunker of a game. Even while finishing the Northwestern game with his lowest yardage output of the season (80 yards), Taylor was still able to rush for a respectable 4.2 yards per carry and score two touchdowns. It has been incredible to watch how consistent and dynamic the Salem, N.J. native has been through his first four collegiate games. He currently ranks 15th in the country in rushing yards with 518, even with the disadvantage of a bye week, and has added seven rushing touchdowns. Taylor has clearly seized control of a backfield that includes redshirt sophomore <span>Bradrick Shaw</span> and redshirt junior <span>Chris James</span>, and he should continue to be a bonafide stud for the rest of his freshman season and beyond. </p>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/6/16431148/wisconsin-football-freshmen-jonathan-taylor-danny-davis-isaiahh-loudermilkKevin O'Connell2017-10-02T12:59:27-05:002017-10-02T12:59:27-05:00Roundtable: What can we take away from Wisconsin’s latest win?
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oEZ_vL_uuHUU-59eKZrE-She0_E=/0x0:3323x2215/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56955207/usa_today_10316804.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Our roundtable convenes for a Week 5 recap.</p> <p id="G5Iv4Z">The <a href="https://www.insidenu.com/">Northwestern Wildcats</a> made it close in the end, but the No. 9 <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/">Wisconsin Badgers</a> started the conference portion of their schedule off on the right foot with a <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/9/30/16389734/wisconsin-northwestern-score-recap-alex-hornibrook-jonathan-taylor-clayton-thorson-justin-jackson">33–24 victory</a> at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday afternoon.</p>
<p id="dzTXMk">A rough first half on offense turned around in the third quarter, with the Badgers ultimately pulling away after 24 unanswered points. Thanks also to a strong defensive effort that included eight sacks, 11 tackles for loss, a game-sealing safety, and two interceptions by <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/2/16394586/wisconsin-football-natrell-jamerson-big-ten-defensive-player-week">Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week</a> <span>Natrell Jamerson</span>, Wisconsin remains unbeaten heading into this weekend’s trip to Nebraska for a primetime showdown.</p>
<p id="GyopOK">Our team of writers broke down the good, the bad, and what’s next for Wisconsin.</p>
<h3 id="BfQ52i">The Good: What went well for Wisconsin?</h3>
<p id="GSf19N"><a href="https://twitter.com/RieseDraft">Owen Riese:</a> The Badgers got a ton of production from two true freshmen in their first Big Ten game. The future is bright on offense with only two seniors in the starting lineup with <span>Troy </span><span>Fumagalli</span> hurt.</p>
<div class="c-float-right"><aside id="241KA7"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Grading Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/2/16393548/wisconsin-football-northwestern-grades-alex-hornibrook-danny-davis-quintez-cephus"},{"title":"Bucky’s 5th Quarter’s 5th Quarter: The biggest moments from Northwestern vs. Wisconsin","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390616/wisconsin-football-northwestern-quintez-cephus-dcota-dixon-natrell-jamerson"},{"title":"3 things we learned from Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/9/30/16390068/wisconsin-northwestern-recap-alex-hornibrook-troy-fumagalli-jonathan-taylor-clayton-thorson"}]}'></div></aside></div>
<p id="NoibW1"><a href="https://twitter.com/ThatsSoRyan85">Ryan Mellenthin:</a> The maturation of UW’s young receivers. Frosh <span>Danny Davis</span> picked up his first career touchdown and sophomore <span>Quintez Cephus</span> nearly broke the century mark with 99 receiving yards, including a 61-yard run-and-catch. <span>A.J. Taylor</span> also hauled in a 33-yard reception on 3rd-and-11, which set up a <span>Rafael Gaglianone</span> field goal.</p>
<p id="E9LokN"><a href="https://twitter.com/olewr7">Neal Olson:</a> Really, the best thing Wisconsin did all game was stay the course. Unusual things tend to happen against Northwestern and this game was no exception. The Badgers are a relatively young team, were unexpectedly without Fumagalli, had not played football in two weeks, and nearly everything that could go wrong in the first half did. In a game that easily could have slipped away for the first loss of the season, they held on for the W.</p>
<p id="cU06K5"><a href="https://twitter.com/da_chief_24">Kevin O’Connell:</a> The Badgers did a great job keeping running back <span>Justin Jackson</span> in check throughout the game. One of the Big Ten’s most talented running backs, Jackson was never able to find a rhythm and was held to only 25 yards on the ground.</p>
<h3 id="wOPQsm">The Bad: Tons of things to learn from. What are a few that stand out?</h3>
<p id="anu57D"><strong>Owen:</strong> Taking care of the football. After Jamerson’s pick-six, it was 31–10 UW. If the Badgers don't turn it over three times in the first half, it might have been 31–0. Turnovers will kill you in big games.</p>
<p id="nK7HAf"><strong>Ryan:</strong> All the turnovers, not to mention two fumbles that weren’t lost. <span>Alex Hornibrook</span> also had a near-fumble, but he was ruled down before the ball came out. This game proved that if Wisconsin cannot secure the ball, Big Ten opponents have the ability to stay in the game with the Badgers.</p>
<p id="BFc8Iq"><strong>Neal:</strong> No reason to be cute here—the turnovers and near-turnovers have got to be cleaned up. Even with the breakout by <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> and the young receivers, this offense is far from being able to overcome multiple turnovers to quality opponents.</p>
<p id="wfNVZY"><strong>Kevin:</strong> The turnovers are an obvious problem and I’m sure Paul Chryst and his staff will get on the team for their sloppy play in the first half. But the most alarming problem from this game was the way UW let Northwestern back in the game late in the fourth quarter.</p>
<h3 id="rTDNbH">Game Balls: Bring ‘em out, bring ‘em out.</h3>
<p id="K9puo9"><strong>Owen:</strong> <span>Garret Dooley</span>. What a game for the senior: 3.5 sacks and causing havoc everywhere. Also <span>D’Cota Dixon</span> with 12 tackles, including the clincher. </p>
<p id="VM8AKF"><strong>Ryan:</strong> Dixon and Jamerson. Dixon recorded 12 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss, not to mention a safety on Northwestern’s final drive. Jamerson intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown.</p>
<p id="BUoiRk"><strong>Neal:</strong> Are coaches allowed in this section? Jim (Rex) Leonhard called a masterful game. The two garbage scores Northwestern got were just that—garbage. Up to that point, Leonard’s mix of blitzes and coverage had the Wildcats reeling. As Kevin mentioned earlier, holding Jackson in check is no small feat.</p>
<p id="kDzwlw"><strong>Kevin:</strong> I am giving co-game balls to Cephus and Danny Davis. Both have given Wisconsin’s offense a new dimension and are talented deep threats at Hornibrook’s disposal. Cephus’s combination of size (6’1’) and speed were on display during a 61-yard catch on UW’s first drive of the second half, while Davis made a sensational grab in the back of the endzone for his first career touchdown.</p>
<h3 id="CKSRcz">Up Next: Nebraska. The Huskers are 3–2 overall but 2–0 in the Big Ten after defeating Rutgers and Illinois. What are the keys to beating them?</h3>
<p id="fAn487"><strong>Owen:</strong> Take care of the football. If the Badgers don't beat themselves, I don't think another team in that game can beat them.</p>
<p id="90jvIj"><strong>Ryan:</strong> Limit turnovers. Wisconsin’s defense is one of the best in the conference and country, but if you continue to give opponents chances against the Badgers, in good field position, it will make it harder for Wisconsin to keep them off the scoreboard.</p>
<p id="AqR5b0"><strong>Neal:</strong> Start fast. The worst thing for the Badgers will be to mimic first halves they had against Utah State and Northwestern. Overcoming a slow start at home is much different than on the road, especially at a tradition-rich school like Nebraska. If the Badgers can take control early and squash any signs of hope, they should be just fine.</p>
<p id="EKGltF"><strong>Kevin:</strong> The Badgers need to eliminate big plays against Nebraska. After being susceptible to the deep ball in games against Utah State, FAU, and BYU, the Badgers took a step in the right direction against Northwestern. The Huskers trot out one of the Big Ten’s best wide receivers in <span>Stanley Morgan Jr.</span>, who has finished with at least 94 receiving yards in the four games he has played this season. On the road, big plays can shift momentum drastically and it’s imperative that Wisconsin keeps Morgan Jr., and his counterparts in check on Saturday night.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/2/16397606/wisconsin-football-northwestern-nebraska-natrell-jamerson-quintez-cephus-danny-davisJake KocorowskiOwen RieseRyan MellenthinKevin O'ConnellNeal Olson2017-10-02T10:17:30-05:002017-10-02T10:17:30-05:00Natrell Jamerson named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week
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<img alt="Northwestern v Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DesOP73WLpj9XhNhKLKshXoQPlI=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56950979/855949678.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A strong performance in the Big Ten opener lands the safety some accolades.</p> <p id="WdPE6W">The Big Ten announced on Monday that <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/">Wisconsin Badgers</a> safety <span>Natrell Jamerson</span> earned the conference’s defensive player of the week award for his performance on Saturday.</p>
<p id="kJVCqi">Jamerson recorded six tackles (two solo, four assisted), two interceptions and a half-sack in the Badgers’ 33–24 victory over the <a href="https://www.insidenu.com/">Northwestern Wildcats</a>. His electrifying pick-six in the fourth quarter allowed UW to build a 31–10 lead.</p>
<aside id="xmPv8r"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Natrell Jamerson shines during Wisconsin’s win vs. Northwestern","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16391336/wisconsin-football-northwestern-natrell-jamerson-highlights"},{"title":"Wisconsin’s defense is a buzzsaw","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390586/wisconsin-football-northwestern-jim-leonhard-dcota-dixon-garret-dooley-tj-edwards"}]}'></div></aside><p id="UuaUtE">Through four games this season, Jamerson—who moved to safety this spring from cornerback—has recorded 15 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks, two interceptions, and three pass break-ups.</p>
<p id="fOrs4F">The Ocala, Fla., native joins quarterback <span>Alex Hornibrook</span> and running back <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> as Wisconsin players who have received Big Ten player of the week honors during the 2017 season.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">With 2 INTs, including one returned for a TD, <a href="https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BadgerFootball</a> S Natrell Jamerson is the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B1G?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#B1G</a> Defensive Player of the Week <a href="https://t.co/C6OOSsc3Ak">pic.twitter.com/C6OOSsc3Ak</a></p>— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) <a href="https://twitter.com/B1Gfootball/status/914860779903475712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2017</a>
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<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/2/16394586/wisconsin-football-natrell-jamerson-big-ten-defensive-player-weekJake Kocorowski2017-10-02T07:50:51-05:002017-10-02T07:50:51-05:00Troy Fumagalli “day-to-day;” Michael Deiter battling through injury
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Florida Atlantic at Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ImvXdFb_tS1onPKEfJ28F284oB0=/0x80:2780x1933/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56945435/usa_today_10276642.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Catching up with the Badgers’ injury report.</p> <p id="JwsG9j">A surprise scratch from Saturday’s game vs. the <a href="https://www.insidenu.com/">Northwestern Wildcats</a>, redshirt senior tight end <span>Troy Fumagalli</span> did not play due to a left leg injury. </p>
<p id="wQA6pX"><a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/">Wisconsin Badgers</a> head coach Paul Chryst noted that it wasn’t until Friday night that it was decided Fumagalli probably wouldn’t play.</p>
<p id="PzKJiC">“He had been practicing through the week, obviously not a ton, so there was an idea that we weren’t sure,” Chryst said after the Badgers’ 33–24 win. “He was maybe going to go or maybe wasn’t going to go, so we had the opportunity to work on a lot of things without Troy, as well, in practice. I give credit to really the other tight ends and the fullbacks. It didn’t change once we knew—certainly we like it when Troy plays, and he’s a really good football player—but as far as what we were going to do, [it] didn’t change as much as maybe people would have thought.”</p>
<p id="OykomL">Tight end <span>Zander Neuville</span> told reporters after the game on Saturday, that, like Chryst, the team didn’t know Fumagalli wasn’t playing until Friday. Fumagalli was still helping out when he wasn’t practicing last week, especially by providing vocal leadership and guidance to the tight ends.</p>
<p id="JVeVcC">“I think originally he kind of tweaked something during the bye week and then was just kind of laying low for a little bit and just being smart with it throughout the week,” Nevuille said. “I think [they] made the decision [on Friday] that it would be probably best to just take this week off so he can be as healthy as possible for next week.”</p>
<p id="cQnfQx">Fumagalli still leads the team in receptions and receiving yards (15 for 236), but Chryst did not confirm how long his All-American candidate could be out, whether short-term or longer.</p>
<p id="PKCaq4">“You never know for sure, but we truly thought he had a good chance to maybe play [on Saturday],” Chryst said. “I don’t think he was set back any from what he was doing, so it will be a day-to-day.”</p>
<h3 id="iRHfJp">
<span>Michael Deiter</span> works through sore ankle</h3>
<p id="ar9UNt">Left tackle Michael Deiter suffered an ankle injury in Wisconsin’s win vs. BYU. On Saturday, he played, but redshirt freshman <span>Cole Van Lanen</span> was seen in his place in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p id="vHadR7">After the game, Deiter was asked if his ankle bothered him in the contest.</p>
<p id="LFciuW">“A little bit, not that much,” Deiter said on Saturday afternoon. “I thought it felt pretty good for most of the game. Towards the end, it got a little sore, but I thought it was pretty good.”</p>
<p id="gldcYv">Deiter has started all 31 games he’s played in during his Wisconsin career, including the last four at left tackle.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/2/16392478/wisconsin-football-injuries-troy-fumagalli-michael-deiterJake Kocorowski2017-10-02T07:35:49-05:002017-10-02T07:35:49-05:00Grading Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern
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<img alt="Northwestern v Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/t4XG8YeQ8-UAYtVuRhcQSFL3CQ8=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56945171/855987412.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It was a tale of two halves in the Badgers’ Big Ten opener.</p> <p id="28ZL5n">It was ugly at times, but everything turned out right for Wisconsin in the end on Saturday as the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390616/wisconsin-football-northwestern-quintez-cephus-dcota-dixon-natrell-jamerson">Badgers upended Northwestern 33–24</a>.</p>
<p id="sVzxSN">Let’s take a look at the unit grades:</p>
<h3 id="tZTQrV">Offense: C+</h3>
<p id="MXEzFT">A <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390592/wisconsin-football-northwestern-jazz-peavy-alex-hornibrook-quintez-cephus">rough first half</a> had the Badgers on the wrong end of a 10–7 deficit at the break. In his first action since setting a school record for completion percentage in a game, sophomore <span>Alex Hornibrook</span> looked off-kilter at times, throwing two interceptions and managing just 197 yards on 11-of-20 passing.</p>
<p id="VhsKYF">True freshman running back <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> continued his hot start, scoring two touchdowns in his first Big Ten action. With tight end <span>Troy Fumaga</span><span>lli</span> out with a leg injury, sophomore receiver <span>Quintez Cephus</span> (99 yards) and freshman receiver <span>Danny Davis III</span> (50 yards and a touchdown) picked up the slack in a big way in the receiving corps. </p>
<h3 id="Y2qbM5">Defense: A</h3>
<p id="dEK0O5">The <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390586/wisconsin-football-northwestern-jim-leonhard-dcota-dixon-garret-dooley-tj-edwards">Badgers’ defense</a> went wild against the Wildcats. <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16391336/wisconsin-football-northwestern-natrell-jamerson-highlights">Safety Natrell Jamerson had two interceptions</a>, including a pick-six. Senior linebacker <span>Garret Dooley</span> had three sacks and wrecked havoc on the line. The defense finished the day with eight sacks, two picks, and a safety to go along with Jamerson’s touchdown.</p>
<p id="rAeKiB">Despite a larger time of possession and 20 first downs (to Wisconsin’s 13), Northwestern only managed 244 total yards. The defense kept the Badgers in the game until the offense finally managed to get going.</p>
<h3 id="WMJSmB">Special Teams: B+</h3>
<p id="oTqy9o">Special teams was solid. Kicker <span>Rafael Gaglianone</span> make all his tries. Punter <span>Anthony Lotti</span> looked good, averaging 40.8 yards on six kicks with a long of 52 yards. <span>Nick Nelson</span> had a 17-yard punt return but was otherwise kept in check, as was the kick return game.</p>
<h3 id="HFpMVP">Coaching: A-</h3>
<p id="iZyKTl">For the second time in four games, Wisconsin was able to shake off a sluggish start and make the right halftime adjustments. Head coach Paul Chryst continued to prove to be the anti-Bielema; it’s nice to see Wisconsin be the team that makes strong second-half team adjustments for a change. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s ball-hawking defense was opportunistic and ruthlessly efficient at times.</p>
<h3 id="DvV2zA">Overall: B-</h3>
<p id="HZUX7V">A win is a win and the second half was (mostly) fun, but the first half inched into nightmare territory. Hornibrook has a ways to go to be more efficient and things got a little too exciting at the end. But the defense was fierce and Wisconsin remains the team to beat in the Big Ten West.</p>
<h3 id="V78su4">Student section: Incomplete</h3>
<p id="4by7No">The student section looked to be about three-quarters full at the end of the first half. We’ll assume that everyone was stuck in line getting their tickets checked.</p>
<h3 id="9yQ6g4">ESPN: A+</h3>
<p id="6Kh8Gv">Simply for mentioning Joel Nellis and Jake Kocorowski’s book, <em>Walk-On This Way</em> (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Walk-This-Way-Wisconsin-Tradition/dp/1940056330?tag=sbnation-20" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">now available on Amazon</a>).</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/2/16393548/wisconsin-football-northwestern-grades-alex-hornibrook-danny-davis-quintez-cephusJon Beidelschies2017-10-01T14:15:06-05:002017-10-01T14:15:06-05:00Wisconsin moves up in both polls
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BAuopeI0qNE8Iqe_cPk_lVP3F8Q=/0x0:4048x2699/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56935749/usa_today_10317106.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers moved up before next weekend’s primetime showdown in Nebraska.</p> <p id="d8nKWE">A Big Ten season-opening win keeps the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/">Wisconsin Badgers</a> in the top 10.</p>
<p id="rFKD2T">Wisconsin jumped up to No. 8 in the <a href="http://sportspolls.usatoday.com/ncaa/football/polls/coaches-poll/">Amway Coaches Poll</a> and No. 9 <a href="http://collegefootball.ap.org/poll">in the AP Top 25</a> when both polls were released on Sunday. </p>
<p id="fd1UEv">The Badgers (4–0) moved up one spot in the AP poll after dropping to No. 10 <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/9/24/16357194/college-football-rankings-wisconsin-ap-top-25-coaches-poll">last week, </a>while they leapt two spots in the coaches poll.</p>
<p id="QoLDrc">SB Nation’s Jason Kirk still has UW in his <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/10/1/16392164/bowl-projections-2017-college-football-playoff-predictions">College Football Playoff predictions</a> against No. 1 Alabama. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/10/1/16392556/ncaa-football-rankings-2017-130-teams?utm_campaign=sbn_billc&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter">Bill Connelly’s S&P+</a> bumped the Badgers up one slot to No. 4 (No. 8 without preseason projections).</p>
<p id="ldPASh">The AP poll again features four Big Ten teams in the top 10:</p>
<ul>
<li id="r6E0Pw">Penn State (No. 4, no change)</li>
<li id="DZBOD1">Michigan (No. 7, up one spot)</li>
<li id="GNQELe">Wisconsin (No. 9, up one spot)</li>
<li id="upvB5t">Ohio State (No. 10, up one spot)</li>
</ul>
<p id="EFNozG">The Badgers actually leapfrogged the Buckeyes in the coaches poll, but the same four teams are still in the top 10:</p>
<ul>
<li id="dc3FJ0">Penn State (No. 4, no change)</li>
<li id="ocYr5t">Michigan (No. 7, no change)</li>
<li id="YM68hZ">Wisconsin (No. 8, up two spots)</li>
<li id="NhjIxh">Ohio State (No. 9, no change)</li>
</ul>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16393212/college-football-rankings-wisconsin-ap-top-25-coaches-poll-week-5Jake Kocorowski2017-10-01T10:22:11-05:002017-10-01T10:22:11-05:00Natrell Jamerson shines in two phases
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Northwestern at Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SHQjRh-6my81aDSWWiZJJIJ3dYA=/0x8:4985x3331/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56933627/usa_today_10317107.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Badgers’ safety helped key a tremendous defensive effort.</p> <p id="UUjX8z">MADISON — In a game where two true freshmen scored three of Wisconsin’s four touchdowns, a senior defensive back decided to find the end zone too.</p>
<p id="6Xsy2F">Not only did free safety <span>Natrell Jamerson</span> intercept two passes during <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/9/30/16389734/wisconsin-northwestern-score-recap-alex-hornibrook-jonathan-taylor-clayton-thorson-justin-jackson">Wisconsin’s 33–24 win</a>, he took his fourth-quarter pick 36 yards for a touchdown.</p>
<p id="n1iIc3">What went through the head of Jamerson, A converted wide receiver and cornerback, during the interception and taking it to the house?</p>
<p id="KrLK2p">“Have a good celebration,” Jamerson said. “Just it’s a great feeling, especially with a pick-six like that. Once I was in the clear, the first thing that was coming to mind was, ‘I’m celebrating,’ because we always talk about it in the DB room. Just having great return skills and got to have a good celebration, too, so that’s how it was.”</p>
<p id="WYFLfx">On the afternoon, Jamerson registered six tackles, a half-sack, a tackle for loss, and those two interceptions.</p>
<aside id="qkqZrM"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Wisconsin’s defense is a buzzsaw","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390586/wisconsin-football-northwestern-jim-leonhard-dcota-dixon-garret-dooley-tj-edwards"},{"title":"Bucky’s 5th Quarter’s 5th Quarter: The biggest moments from Northwestern vs. Wisconsin","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390616/wisconsin-football-northwestern-quintez-cephus-dcota-dixon-natrell-jamerson"},{"title":"Wisconsin offense rallies after rough first half vs. Northwestern","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390592/wisconsin-football-northwestern-jazz-peavy-alex-hornibrook-quintez-cephus"},{"title":"3 things we learned from Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/9/30/16390068/wisconsin-northwestern-recap-alex-hornibrook-troy-fumagalli-jonathan-taylor-clayton-thorson"}]}'></div></aside><p id="Sfn2H7">The most memorable play came in the fourth quarter with Wisconsin up 24–10. On a 3rd-and-8 from Northwestern’s 27-yard line, Jamerson read and broke on a <span>Clayton Thorson</span> pass, reeling in the interception and catching the edge near the Wildcats’ sideline. After eluding the pursuit of running back <span>Justin Jackson</span>, he found paydirt to give Wisconsin a three-touchdown advantage.</p>
<p id="HorVEj">What did Jamerson see?</p>
<p id="d0ul3T">“Green grass,” Jamerson said. “I had a few blockers in front of me, and I was able to make a couple guys miss.”</p>
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<p id="OOYyQo">Saturday’s interceptions were the first of Jamerson’s career.</p>
<p id="weSO3q">“It was Christmas for him,” strong safety <span>D’Cota Dixon</span> said. “I have never gotten two interceptions or a pick-six in a game before, so it was surreal to see him do that. And just to see him grow over the years and take advantage of his position and today is a great example of that.”</p>
<p id="C4fMpz">It wasn’t just Jamerson’s play on the defensive side of the ball, but also the mark he left on special teams that played a critical role in Wisconsin’s win. With Northwestern making it a seven-point game late in the fourth quarter and regaining possession after holding UW’s offense to a three-and-out, Jamerson downed an <span>Anthony Lotti</span> punt at the two-yard line.</p>
<p id="x8Cx8o">Two plays later, Dixon sacked Thorson for the game-sealing safety. Without Jamerson’s perfect execution on punt coverage, Northwestern would’ve had better field position and a greater chance to tie the game with a 1:09 left.</p>
<p id="FOPB6F">“Natrell brings so much to this team and has been doing it for a while,” head coach Paul Chryst said. “Two years ago, he was our special teams player of the year. What you appreciate from him is that now that he’s in a starting role, what he thinks about and how he approaches the special teams is every bit as important as it was when he was first breaking in, playing.</p>
<p id="DkQFUR">“And as you know, we’re going to need all the guys. There are good examples of players like ‘Trell that will do anything for this team, and you get into games—we’re going to have a lot more close games—that we’re going to need plays such as that. Doesn’t matter how it comes, what unit it comes on, we’re going to need everyone.”</p>
<p id="u9ZwwF">When asked what was the bigger play to Jamerson, a sly smile crossed the Ocala, Fla., native’s face. He could not definitively answer.</p>
<p id="rxHNvx">“I mean, I don’t know. Pick-six, that was great,” Jamerson said. “It was my first one, but downing that punt, it helped a lot too. Especially, that was crunch time. We needed that, and it led to a safety as well. They’re just as good.”</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16391336/wisconsin-football-northwestern-natrell-jamerson-highlightsJake Kocorowski2017-10-01T09:51:14-05:002017-10-01T09:51:14-05:00Wisconsin’s defense is a buzzsaw
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<img alt="Northwestern v Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gM_FrJFzdXNef-ykkFQYI9W1t6E=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56933367/855981726.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Jim Leonhard’s group looked extra dangerous against Northwestern.</p> <p id="h61Kng">Since Dave Aranda came to Wisconsin in 2013 and switched the Badgers to a 3-4 base defense, the unit has been among the country’s best statistically.</p>
<p id="JHGqJi">Aranda was in Madison for three years before leaving for LSU and a bigger paycheck. Then Justin Wilcox came from USC and coordinated the defense in 2016. When he left for the head coaching job at California, Paul Chryst turned to his least-tenured assistant and handed Jim Leonhard the keys to a defense that had a lot of senior leadership returning in 2017.</p>
<p id="CC6OF1">So far, so good for the first-time defensive coordinator.</p>
<p id="JQqYYY">Leonhard’s defense has allowed only 14 second-half points this season—all of them coming against Northwestern <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/9/30/16389734/wisconsin-northwestern-score-recap-alex-hornibrook-jonathan-taylor-clayton-thorson-justin-jackson">late in Saturday’s 33–24 win</a>. Every coach has their own personality and style. Aranda was known for his aggressive defensive schemes while Wilcox was pretty, for lack of a better term, plain (yet successful) in his style. Leonhard, however, might even be more aggressive than Aranda.</p>
<aside id="1Sd1W6"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Natrell Jamerson shines during Wisconsin’s win vs. Northwestern","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16391336/wisconsin-football-northwestern-natrell-jamerson-highlights"},{"title":"Bucky’s 5th Quarter’s 5th Quarter: The biggest moments from Northwestern vs. Wisconsin","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390616/wisconsin-football-northwestern-quintez-cephus-dcota-dixon-natrell-jamerson"},{"title":"Wisconsin offense rallies after rough first half vs. Northwestern","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390592/wisconsin-football-northwestern-jazz-peavy-alex-hornibrook-quintez-cephus"},{"title":"3 things we learned from Wisconsin’s win over Northwestern","url":"https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/9/30/16390068/wisconsin-northwestern-recap-alex-hornibrook-troy-fumagalli-jonathan-taylor-clayton-thorson"}]}'></div></aside><p id="j3ED27">Leonhard, who played in the NFL under the Rex Ryan-Mike Pettine-Jim O’Neal defensive tree, has brought that exotic, aggressive style to Madison.</p>
<p id="YnIuoF">“I think it’s cool,” said <span>T.J. Edwards</span>. “You have a coach who wants to see his players go get it, he doesn’t want us to sit back, or get passed all over.”</p>
<p id="1XDuMr">The Badgers only had eight sacks in the first three games of the season combined, but feasted for eight against the Wildcats.</p>
<p id="8bwVxb">“Coach Leonhard’s football IQ is vast, but it’s awesome—some of the stuff he dials up, we know he’s going to put us in a position for us to have some success,” said linebacker <span>Ryan Connelly</span>. </p>
<p id="NIZ2Bl">While the linebackers are generally featured in this defense, much of the grunt work that doesn’t end up on the stat sheet is done by the defensive line.</p>
<p id="D3Pzis">“We take pride in that, we can take a guy with us, and free someone up,” said <span>Alec James</span> when talking about stunts on the defensive line. “[Leonhard] puts us in a lot of new spots we haven’t been in, but we still have to do our jobs.”</p>
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<p id="X0CgAn">Redshirt freshman <span>Isaiahh Loudermilk</span> has become a major chess piece in this front seven, and he spoke about playing in Leonhard’s defense as a defensive lineman.</p>
<p id="OlfWrj">“There are a lot more chances for us to make plays,” Loudermilk said. “He emphasizes on us getting 1-on-1s. Getting 1-on-1s is always exciting—I always like when it’s overloaded and we’re able to get a 1-on-1 situation. It’s our job to win.” </p>
<p id="pjRWMi">Senior outside linebacker <span>Garret Dooley</span> is one of the biggest beneficiaries from this defense.</p>
<p id="Ly5LRZ">“Our coaches do a heck of a job dialing up pressures, and [Leonhard] trusts everyone that when we get a 1-on-1, we’re going to win it.”</p>
<p id="By4IWv">Dooley also expanded on affecting the mindset of the opposing quarterback: “If you get after the quarterback early, it ruins their timing, and he knows in the back of his mind that he’s got to get the ball out early.”</p>
<p id="cnmksE">However, everything that’s done up front is negated if the back end doesn’t hold up, something veteran secondary members <span>Derrick Tindal</span> and <span>D’Cota Dixon</span> take very seriously.</p>
<p id="aZMxHD">Tindal spoke about the trust Leonhard puts in the secondary: “For our coaches to know that we can depend on our DB’s, it helps us because we know the coaches put it out there for us, we’ve got to get it done. Coach trusts us a lot, and as long as he trusts us, we’ll be alright.”</p>
<p id="0xnjR9">Dixon has been one of the high spots for the defense to this point, leading the Badgers against Northwestern with 12 tackles and a sack. He is in a position to take advantage of the aggressive nature of this defense.</p>
<p id="dXNdMl">“It helps a ton; it felt like there were times we were covering for 10 seconds last year,” Dixson said. “Whenever we’re able to get pressure on the quarterback, it rattles him, and as long as we trust in our technique and trust in our pressures, we’ll have success.”</p>
<p id="frHY9m">Dixon has been making plays behind or near the line of scrimmage all year. That versatility helps the defense be able to do a lot of different things.</p>
<p id="3FeTVZ">This defense has already showed it has the potential to be special, maybe the best Wisconsin has seen. Expect to see the unit expand more and more as the season progresses, but early returns are encouraging from the 34-year-old defensive coordinator.</p>
https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/10/1/16390586/wisconsin-football-northwestern-jim-leonhard-dcota-dixon-garret-dooley-tj-edwardsOwen Riese