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After a day to digest Wisconsin's homecoming win over Northwestern Saturday, head coach Gary Andersen held his weekly press conference to discuss a variety of topics, most notably the continued struggles of the kicking game.
The Badgers also released their depth chart for Saturday's game at Illinois, reflecting a few intriguing changes.
Andersen said Jack Russell will take over kicking duties vs. Illinois. Kyle French has been the starting kicker this season, but his struggles continued Saturday with a missed 38-yard field goal. On the season, French is 5-of-8 on field goals with one missed extra point. Russell missed his only field goal attempt of the season, a 31-yarder at the end of the Sept. 7 Tennessee Tech game.
Andersen confirms Jack Russell will start at kicker vs. Illinois, will evaluate moving forward. Acknowledges it's "a hard situation."
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 14, 2013
GA said the FG kicking situation "definitely: impacts how the coaches manage the game (i.e. whether or not to go for it) #Badgers
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) October 14, 2013
Andersen: FG kicking concerns have started to affect decision making in regards to going for it 4th down or punting.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) October 14, 2013
Press conference round-up
Andersen is hopeful Jared Abbrederis (head) will play Saturday. #Badgers will know more in next 48 hours.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 14, 2013
GA says the Illinois offense gives teams a lot of looks and creates a lot of matchup problems. Estimates 5-7 personnel groups.
— Benjamin Worgull (@TheBadgerNation) October 14, 2013
Andersen: Defensive effort jumped out on film. Not 11 starters but more like 15 or 16 starters due to the number of packages.
— Zach Heilprin (@ZachHeilprin) October 14, 2013
#Badgers coach G.Andersen notes RT Havenstein has been consistent, consistent, consistent. Notice a pattern?
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) October 14, 2013
Andersen says he doesn't look at the coaches poll: "I just don't do that stuff." He's had a ballot twice, not this year. #Badgers
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 14, 2013
#Badgers coach G.Andersen says he considers himself aggressive play-caller if it is fourth-and-short vs. punt.
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) October 14, 2013
Andersen said Michael Caputo is officially an F outside linebacker, although could play some safety in certain matchups
— Tom Mulhern (@TomMulhernWSJ) October 14, 2013
Andersen said he has no say in two road Big Ten night games. "It doesn't really bother me," he's used to unusual schedules at Utah State
— Tom Mulhern (@TomMulhernWSJ) October 14, 2013
Andersen says the #Badgers' playbook "is able to grow a little bit," and "ever-growing" since it's just year one. Ex: Wildcat now installed.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 14, 2013
Andersen said #Badgers didn't want to waste a year with Tanner McEvoy, who's been impressive at safety and "a tremendous story."
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 14, 2013
#Badgers could've used McEvoy just at Wildcat, but even that "would've been a waste of time." Key to success was McEvoy buying in.
— Bucky's 5th Quarter (@B5Q) October 14, 2013
Week 8 depth chart
| OFFENSE | ||
| FIRST TEAM | SECOND TEAM | |
| QB | 2 Joel Stave (So.) | 10 Curt Phillips (Sr.) |
| RB | 20 James White (Sr.) | 25 Melvin Gordon (So.) |
| FB | 34 Derek Watt (So.) | 26 Derek Straus (So.) |
| WR | 4 Jared Abbrederis (Sr.) | 86 Alex Erickson (Fr.) |
| WR | 9 Jordan Fredrick (So.) | 3 Kenzel Doe (Jr.) |
| TE | 48 Jacob Pedersen (Sr.) | 49 Sam Arneson (Jr.) |
| TE | 85 Brian Wozniak (Sr.) | 81 Brock DeCicco (Sr.) |
| LT | 61 Tyler Marz (So.) | 74 Hayden Biegel (Fr.) |
| LG | 79 Ryan Groy (Sr.) | 71 Ray Ball (So.) |
| C | 73 Dallas Lewallen (Jr.) | 70 Dan Voltz (Fr.) |
| RG | 54 Kyle Costigan (Jr.) | 75 Zac Matthias (Sr.) |
| RT | 78 Rob Havenstein (Jr.) | 62 Walker Williams (Fr.) |
| DEFENSE | ||
| FIRST TEAM | SECOND TEAM | |
| DL | 92 Pat Muldoon (Sr.) OR 51 Tyler Dippel (Sr.) | |
| NT | 96 Beau Allen (Sr.) | 45 Warren Herring (Jr.) |
| DL | 87 Ethan Hemer (Sr.) | 91 Konrad Zagzebski (Jr.) |
| OLB | 36 Ethan Armstrong (Sr.) | 58 Joe Schobert (So.) |
| ILB | 44 Chris Borland (Sr.) | 59 Marcus Trotter (Jr.) |
| ILB | 30 Derek Landisch (Jr.) OR 13 Conor O'Neill (Sr.) | |
| OLB | 97 Brendan Kelly (Sr.) | 47 Vince Biegel (So.) |
| CB | 8 Sojourn Shelton (Fr.) | 9 Jakarrie Washington (Fr.) |
| SS | 12 Dezmen Southward (Sr.) | 14 Nate Hammon (Fr.) OR 17 Tanner McEvoy (So.) |
| FS | 7 Michael Caputo (So.) | 19 Leo Musso (Fr.) |
| CB | 21 Peniel Jean (Jr.) | 11 T.J. Reynard (So.) |
| NB | 5 Darius Hillary (So.) | |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | ||
| FIRST TEAM | SECOND TEAM | |
| P | 90 Drew Meyer (So.) | 96 Stephen Salata (So.) |
| K (FG) | 17 Jack Russell (So.) | 94 Kyle French (Jr.) |
| KO | 85 Andrew Endicott (Fr.) | 94 Kyle French (Jr.) |
| LS | 56 James McGuire (Jr.) | 60 Connor Udelhoven (Fr.) |
| H | 90 Drew Meyer (So.) | 96 Stephen Salata (So.) |
| PR | 3 Kenzel Doe (Jr.) OR 4 Jared Abbrederis (Sr.) |
9 Jordan Fredrick (So.) |
| KR | 3 Kenzel Doe (Jr.) | 27 Kyle Zuleger (Sr.) |