Football - The Daily Cardinal

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Three Keys: Coan needs to get back on track, Kent State to get creative on offense

By Ryan Cody | Oct. 4, 2019

While as a whole, Wisconsin has had one of its more dominant seasons ever on offense, scoring over 42 points per game, Jonathon Taylor and the Badgers were stymied by Northwestern, scoring only ten points off of a Taylor touchdown and a field goal. This shouldn’t be concerning against a Big Ten defense, but the Badgers should look to get back into rhythm against a weaker Kent State defense that has surrendered 42.5 points to Power 5 programs this season. While it is important to focus on the game at hand, the Badgers would do well to view this as a tune up game before facing much tougher competition in Big Ten conference play.

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Overreactability: Top of Big Ten are continuing to stand out above pack

By Bremen Keasey | Oct. 4, 2019

The defending champion Clemson Tigers were supposed to breeze through their schedule once again this season. With All-American and hair legend Trevor Lawrence at quarterback, stud Travis Etienne in the backfield and a wide receiving core that seems like a video game cheat (especially Tee Higgins), it seems inevitable that they’ll return to the Playoff, and possibly go back-to-back. Sure, they lost a lot in their defensive front seven, but they have the talent to steamroll their ACC opponents.

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Orr poised for another big game against Golden Flashes

By Jake Goldsmith | Oct. 4, 2019

Last season’s starting inside linebackers T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connelly both moved on to the NFL, leaving a hole that redshirt senior Chris Orr has thrived in.

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Orr named one of Big Ten Defensive Players of the Week after carrying defense against Wildcats in sloppy game

By Justin Alpert | Oct. 4, 2019

Donning minimalist red jerseys and brown pants on Saturday against Northwestern, the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers (4-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) beat the Northwestern Wildcats (1-3 overall, 0-2 Big Ten) in their late-19th century throwback threads.

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Kent State in for difficult challenge against top-ranked Badgers

By Anupras Mohapatra | Oct. 4, 2019

The Wisconsin Badgers host the Kent State Golden Flashes at Camp Randall on Saturday Oct. 5 at 11a.m. in a match that provides the Badgers their second brush with a MAC conference opponent after their game against Central Michigan.

After an injury ended Zack Baun's 2017 season before it started and a disappointing 2018 season, the senior linebacker has played a central role in UW's top-ranked defense in 2019.

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Zack Baun's development, leadership fuels Wisconsin's top-ranked defense

By Raul Vazquez | Oct. 3, 2019

Entering the 2017 season, senior linebacker Zack Baun was primed to be a key piece on Wisconsin’s defense after playing meaningful snaps in 2016. Baun had appeared in 12 games in 2016, with his best performance coming against Ohio State where he had six tackles and a tackle for loss. Baun’s 2017 season was cut short, however, when he suffered a torn lisfranc ligament in his left leg, sidelining him for the rest of the year. The injury came in late August during fall camp – a devastating blow to what looked to be a promising season for the Brown Deer, Wis. native.

Safety Eric Burrell will play a key role in slowing down receiver David Bell.

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Matt Henningsen powers defensive gem in Badgers win over Northwestern

By Simon Farber | Sep. 28, 2019

“We just didn’t click,” Wisconsin wide receiver A.J. Taylor said postgame. “That’s not us, and we’ll get back to playing Wisconsin football pretty soon.” Although the attitude in the media room from No. 8 Wisconsin’s (4-0 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) players and coaches was positive, the offensive struggles overshadowed another dominant defensive performance in the Badgers’ 24-15 victory over Northwestern (1-3, 0-2) Saturday afternoon at Camp Randall.

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Instant Recap: Wisconsin's defense carries sluggish offense to win over Northwestern

By Raul Vazquez | Sep. 28, 2019

Wisconsin’s (4-0, 2-0) defense has been special all season coming into Saturday’s game against Northwestern (1-3, 0-2), and the Badgers offense needed all of the support it could get from the defense in a scrappy 24-25 win over Northwestern.

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Wisconsin vs. Northwestern Preview: Jonathan Taylor looking for revenge game

By Raul Vazquez | Sep. 27, 2019

In Jonathan Taylor’s illustrious career at UW, he has surpassed the 100-yard mark in 28 of his 33 appearances. Of the five games where he was held under 100 yards, two of those were against the Northwestern Wildcats.

Jonathan Taylor looks to be the first running back since Derrick Henry won the award in 2015.

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Heisman Watch: Jonathan Taylor separates quarterback contenders

By Dexter McCann | Sep. 27, 2019

Week four of the college football season has only intensified an already extremely close heisman race. Tua Tagovailoa remains the favorite, but the contenders behind him are certainly pushing to narrow the gap. Below are my top four contenders for the Heisman.

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Wisconsin and Ohio State fight for the top of the Big Ten, Michigan and Nebraska disappoint

By Raul Vazquez | Sep. 27, 2019

We are now well into the college football season, and it’s been a fun year so far. Week 4 saw the continued dominance of a national powerhouse, Ohio State, and the continued downfall of another, in Michigan.

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Badgers need to avoid major injuries this weekend against Wildcats

By Jared Schwartz | Sep. 27, 2019

Wisconsin is coming off a dominant win against Michigan, where they showed the college football world they could contend for the College Football Playoff. Northwestern has been disappointing to say the least after winning the Big Ten West last year. Here are the keys for each to win Saturday afternoon.

Northwestern looks to put together a complete game against UW as it heads to Madison this weekend.

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Northwestern more 'house cat' than 'Wildcat' early in the year

By Jacob Lebowitz | Sep. 27, 2019

A slow start to the season for the Northwestern Wildcats (1-2 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) and reigning Big Ten West champions has them tied with Rutgers and Purdue with the worst record in the Big Ten.

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X's and O's: Jack Coan forced Michigan to respect passing game

By Sam Shiffman | Sep. 27, 2019

Last season, Wisconsin’s passing offense was anemic. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook couldn’t make simple plays and his receivers couldn’t find any separation. Running back Jonathan Taylor still had success but faced defenses that knew the Badgers would only throw out of necessity.

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Quintez Cephus adding deep threat Badgers desperately needed

By Sam Shiffman | Sep. 26, 2019

Last season, Wisconsin’s passing offense was anemic. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook couldn’t make simple plays and his receivers couldn’t find any separation. Jonathan Taylor still had success but faced defenses that knew the Badgers would only throw out of necessity.

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Badgers prove they are one of the best in the nation, steamroll Michigan

By Raul Vazquez | Sep. 21, 2019

Wisconsin had its way in the first two weeks, outscoring their opponents 110-0. The two teams they played went a combined 8-17 in 2018 and both went 0-6 in their last six games.

Freshman running back Jonathan Taylor had a historic day on the ground, finishing UW's win over Florida Atlantic with 223 yards and three touchdowns.

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Wisconsin, Michigan set to face off in biggest Big Ten match-up of Week 4

By Simon Farber | Sep. 21, 2019

After fourteen days off, football is back in Madison. The nation's eyes will be on Camp Randall Stadium as No. 13 Wisconsin (2-0) takes on No. 11 Michigan (2-0) in the Big Ten’s biggest week four matchup.

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The top six teams in college football can't be beat, Wisconsin looks to make big moves

By Nathan Denzin | Sep. 21, 2019

As the season draws on, the Badgers are beginning to look more and more like a top 10 team in the country. Since its our duty to cover the Badgers, it’s now our duty to cover the other top teams in the country.

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Michigan rocky through two games, looking to right the ship against Wisconsin

By Ryan Cody | Sep. 21, 2019

Michigan has had one of the more interesting schedules in the Big Ten this year, getting wins against “cupcake” Middle Tennessee, and then against an underrated but manageable Army team. This weekend they will put their mettle to the test against the Badgers in Madison.

Outside linebacker Zach Baun has been the most productive linebacker for the Badgers early this year.

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Zach Baun, linebackers need to play well in order to stop Michigan's Shae Patterson

By Jacob Lebowitz | Sep. 21, 2019

Following another dominant performance for Wisconsin, a 61-0 win over Central Michigan followed by a bye week, the Badgers now face their first true test of the 2019 season.