By Tom Lea
gameday
Of all the questions surrounding the UW football team coming into this season the one area of the game that remained most solid was the defense. While UW was decimated with injuries a year ago on the defensive side of the ball, it allowed many young players to gain credible experience and allowed them to become more prepared for this season.
Now, five games into the season, it is apparent that the UW defense is a well-oiled machine allowing only 17 points in the first three games on defense. Following the loss in Michigan where UW held Michigan to only 10 points in the first half, UW was able to bounce back by helping the offense pull out to a 52-0 lead entering the fourth quarter at Indiana.
However young the defense may still be, they do have two proven leaders that have been along for the ride for quite some time. Senior middle linebacker Mark Zalewski and senior safety Joe Stellmacher provide the leadership that strengthens the entire defense.
""I think the leadership role comes naturally and guys start seeing what you're all about and just start to get excited,"" Zalewski said.
Past Wisconsin defensive leaders like Jimmy Leonhard, Erasmus James and Scott Starks can have quite the influence on those coming in. Such is the case for Stellmacher.
""When I first came here certainly Jimmy [Leonhard] was here, and another guy Rob Brooks, another former safety. Those two guys in particular, from my position, are two guys I looked up to when I first came here,"" Stellmacher said. ""They kind of showed me the ropes and how things should be done.""
When becoming a leader one would assume that playing, and playing well are two ingredients needed for respect among teammates. Zalewski and Stellmacher have proven themselves not only this year but in years past as well. In five games this year, Zalewski is leading the team in solo tackles by one over Stellmacher and is tied with Stellmacher for total tackles.
However, UW has definitely had some bumps in the road in this young season, namely Bowling Green's backup quarterback Freddie Barnes scampering for 158 yards and the struggles Michigan handed to the Badgers. However the Badger's optimism remains high.
""We've played some pretty good football, but I think we've had some things to think about,"" Zalewski said. ""If we get some three and outs I think, if we keep building off that, we can be a great defense.""
Following the Michigan game where the offense sputtered to six straight three and outs, there were questions about the defense being put into tough situations with field position.
""We can't worry about what the offense did, we just have to have the [defensive] mentality no matter what the situation is,"" Zalewski said. ""We just have to go out on the field and take the mentality that we're going to stop them to a three and out or force a turnover no matter where on the field we're at.""
As for the future of the Badger defense, they play four of the next five games at home, including arch rival Minnesota for homecoming. They are riding a high after shutting out Indiana for three quarters and watching the offense put up 52 points. The momentum is high and the future looks bright.
""We're improving every week, [and] we're practicing better and better. Guys are really starting to get it,"" Stellmacher said. ""I don't know if you can put a finger on one or two things, but we're just getting it.""
