Even the boldest pundit would have been laughed off had they, prior to Wisconsin's tilt against Iowa, suggested that the punter and a third-string running back would eventually be heroes for the Badgers.
Sure, junior defensive lineman J.J. Watt seems to make some sort of massive play every week, and against the Hawkeyes, he made two. But junior punter Brad Nortman and sophomore running back Montee Ball were incredibly pleasant surprises.
With the Badgers taking a 3-0 lead on a field goal in the opening drive, the Hawkeyes came back down the field to jump ahead with a touchdown on the ground. Momentum now with the Iowa sideline, Watt found a crease in the defense on the ensuing extra point attempt and got a hand in to block the kick.
In an eventual one point game in favor of the Badgers, this play was nothing less than absolutely critical.
""It ends up being the game,"" head coach Bret Bielema said. ""I've always told my defense that to me the truest test of what a defense is all about is how they play [the point after touchdown] because … you were just scored upon and [you] have to ask yourself, how are you going to react?""
Five weeks ago, when junior defensive back Jay Valai blocked an Arizona State extra point attempt, a game the Badgers also won by just a single point, Valai noted that before the kick, he asked himself, ‘what would J.J. Watt do?'
On Saturday, Watt proved exactly what he does, also collecting a sack on Iowa senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi in a critical moment late in the game.
""Big time players make big time plays in big time games,"" Watt said. ""At that moment, I knew we needed a stop, we needed a spark and got lucky enough to get it. Unbelievable feeling.""
With the Badgers down six in the fourth quarter, the Badgers faced a fourth down and the punting unit came on the field. When he received the snap though, kicker Brad Nortman took off down the field for 17 yards and a first down, keeping the drive and game alive for Wisconsin.
""That was something we had seen on film,"" Bielema said. ""We made that call once I saw [Iowa] send out the punt return unit.""
The fake was the first Nortman have ever attempted in a game, yet alone successfully converted.
""My heart was beating. I was nervous, I was excited,"" Nortman said with a giant grin. ""When I got the call, I saw a wide-open field. It was just perfect, I just ran.""
With both junior running back John Clay and freshman back James White facing injuries during the game, a man who hasn't seen much time lately was called into duty for the Badgers. Montee Ball ended the game with just 18 yards on the ground, but his touchdown in the fourth quarter was the eventual game-winner for Wisconsin.
Additionally, Ball found success Saturday night through the air, collecting five passes for 48 yards, including a critical first down catch across the middle of the field to convert a 4th and four on the final drive.
""I felt that I don't want people to forget about me,"" Ball said. ""It feels great to finally contribute.""
This Wisconsin team though is certainly full of potential heroes every single week, and Saturday against Iowa, the Badgers proved just how dedicated every player is to every game.
""What an unbelievable football game —great individual efforts by some of our guys,"" Bielema said. ""These guys have earned a bye-week and they are going to have a head coach that is very rewarding.""
