Lynchpin Linebackers
Holding opponents to a single field goal in over 180 minutes of football is no small feat. That’s what the Badger defense has accomplished for the first time since 1937.
This success was unquestionably due to the stellar play of the aggressive, downhill linebackers. This allowed the Badgers to play nickel defense and prevent any big plays down field against Hawaii’s spread offense. Beside a 51-yard gain on a double pass, the Rainbow Warriors struggled to take any big chunks of yardage from the rigid Wisconsin defense.
Outside linebackers senior Joe Schobert and redshirt junior Vince Biegel have the great ability to get to the edge and disrupt plays, leaving Hawaii in third-and-long situations that allowed Wisconsin to send blitz after blitz. This got the defense into a rhythm, and had Hawaii struggling to gain any sense of consistency.
When the Warriors did decide to run the option, the inside linebackers were there to fill in the gaps. Redshirt freshman linebacker T.J. Edwards and freshman linebacker Chris Orr have already combined for 46 tackles despite the fact that Orr was just named a starter for the first time this past week.
Such solid performances bode well for the Badgers heading into the Big Ten schedule. With Iowa hitting its offensive stride last week, scoring 62 points and finding success both running and throwing the ball, the Badgers will need solid linebacker play in order to keep the potent Hawkeyes attack in check.
Playing Favorites
The Badgers passing attack took a small step backward Saturday night against the Rainbow Warriors. Redshirt junior quarterback Joel Stave completed a season low 60.9 percent of his passes and was held to just 164 yards through the air. This was the first time Stave and the Badgers passing game were held to under 200 yards this season.
When Stave is able to set his feet in a clean pocket and is given time to survey the field, he is a competent pocket passer. However, when he is pressured or forced off his spot in any way, he tends to get agitated in the pocket and not see the field as clearly. It should be noted that Stave wasn’t the only one to blame, as early drops Saturday night made it difficult for Stave to find any sort of a rhythm.
The lack of production could also be attributed to Stave locking in on specific receivers. Up until late in the second half, Stave had only completed passes to redshirt senior wide receiver Alex Erickson. This is very different from how they have found success in previous weeks by using numerous passing targets. A lack of passing threats will make it much easier on opposing defenses in weeks to come.
With Big Ten opponent Iowa next on the schedule, the Badgers will need to focus on cleaning up the details. If the young offensive line can continue to improve the pocket and if Stave can get back to finding a multitude of targets, the Badgers passing attack could add real dimension to a traditionally run-first offense.
The New Deal
The Badgers’ have undeniably missed star junior running back Corey Clement and, as a result, they had the worst rushing attack in the Big Ten coming into the matchup against Hawaii. With Clement sidelined due to injury, redshirt junior Dare Ogunbowale has led the Wisconsin backfield. It seems that may have changed after a breakout performance by redshirt freshman Taiwan Deal.
The gelling of the offensive line is undoubtedly a contributing factor to the developed run game, but even more than that appeared to be Deal’s improved ability to read and maintain patience for blocks when necessary. When the lane does open up, he typically hits the correct hole with a forward lean.
Deal racked up 147 of the Badgers 326 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns last Saturday, and was the main workhorse of the game, getting 26 carries to Ogunbowale’s 15. Both backs managed a 5.7-yard average, while converted linebacker Alec Ingold added 60 yards, in large part due to a long 26-yard gain, for an 8.6-yard average.
Deal should maintain his lead role in the Badgers’ backfield in Clement’s absence. He has shown great growth and upside. Going forward into the Big Ten schedule, the Badgers will continue to rely on both Deal and Ogunbowale to carry the Wisconsin run game.
