This week in Fullbacks: Celebrating America's Position of the Past and Future
By Jon Brockman | Oct. 25, 2018It would not be controversial to claim that the fullback is by far the most important position not just in football, but in all of sports.
It would not be controversial to claim that the fullback is by far the most important position not just in football, but in all of sports.
The No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers (3-1 Big Ten, 5-2 overall) came into Saturday’s game with the Illinois Fighting Illini (1-3, 3-4) without their top three safeties — D’Cota Dixon, Scott Nelson and Reggie Pearson — and without top defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk. That proved to be no problem for the defense, as Jim Leonhard’s crew had five takeaways in the first half, leading to 21 points for the Badgers en route to a 49-20 win.
Both the Badgers and the Illini will be heading into this week's match-up looking to redeem themselves from devastating Big Ten losses in week seven. In previous years, the Fighting Illini have struggled to compete against Wisconsin, but this year their improved defense will give them a better chance to make a stand at UW’s homecoming game. Illinois has the personnel to stop the Badgers’ passing game and force turnovers from Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook.
After a devastating blow of 38-13 from Michigan last weekend, Wisconsin looks to recover with a win as they prepare to face Illinois at home. The Badgers will host Illinois during homecoming weekend. In a similar manner, however, Illinois will also be entering this matchup coming off a significant loss of 46-7 against Purdue. Although the Fighting Illini are now 3-3, they still have the potential to battle with the Badgers.
As Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson scampered down the sideline for an 81-yard run, it became apparent quickly that the zone-read option was going to be an issue for the young Wisconsin Badgers defense last Saturday in Ann Arbor.
In a week characterized by wild upsets and unpredictable finishes, the Big Ten also followed the script.
“I don’t even understand the talk that we have nothing left to play for,” junior quarterback Alex Hornibrook said. “We’ve got a lot to play for.”
Homecoming week at UW-Madison is a time-honored tradition filled with student and community activities that highlight what it means to be a badger.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN — “They’re a good team, so if we’re going to move the ball and be successful we gotta be on, we gotta be doing things well, and I don’t think we were today, so that’s why we didn’t have success,” junior quarterback Alex Hornibrook said. On Saturday night, Hornibrook and the Wisconsin Badgers (2-1 Big Ten, 4-2 Overall) didn’t do anything well, and certainly weren’t on, as they lost to the Michigan Wolverines (4-0, 6-1) 38-13.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Before the kickoff, the energy around the “Big House” was palpable as Michigan fans and Wisconsin fans knew the significance of this game touted as a College Football Playoff elimination game between the No. 12 Michigan Wolverines and the No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers.
Wisconsin Protect Hornibrook: At the beginning of the 2018 season Wisconsin’s offensive line was labeled one of the most talented groups in the country.
Back in Camp Randall Stadium against a winless Nebraska team (0-3 Big Ten, 0-5 overall), the Badgers (2-0 Big Ten, 4-1 overall) continued their momentum with a dominant 41-24 win.
Although it's not rivalry week yet, it's week six of the college football season, and already the rivalries have made a huge impact on national standings.
Much like a pancake that “got away," the games in the Big Ten conference were lopsided and unpleasing to most people.
Following their 24-21 loss to BYU, T.J. Edwards and other Badgers players declared that all their preseason goals were still achievable and right there in front of them. Now, those goals will be put on the line Saturday night, as the No. 15 Wisconsin Badgers (2-0, 4-1) travel to Ann Arbor for a showdown with the No. 12 Michigan Wolverines (3-0, 5-1) under the lights.
For the first time this season, the Badgers played a truly dominant offensive game in their 41-24 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Quintez Cephus, the Badgers wide receiver who was suspended from the team following two counts of sexual assault, announced he is bringing federal charges against UW-Madison for violating his constitutional rights to a fair investigation.
UW-Madison released its 2018 TV spot during Saturday’s football game, featuring themes of challenge and achievement.
The No. 16 Wisconsin Badgers (2-0 Big Ten, 4-1 overall) kept their winning streak against the struggling Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-3, 0-5) alive — and compounded the Huskers misery — with a steady 41-24 win Saturday night. Nebraska’s head coach Scott Frost has seen his team struggle since taking over, and he praised the Badgers’ discipline heading into the game partly because his team had been undisciplined.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-3 Big Ten, 0-5 overall) came into Madison without a victory since Oct. 28, 2017, including an opening four losses in 2018 under new head coach Scott Frost. The Cornhuskers’ trip to Camp Randall changed none of that as they fell to the Wisconsin Badgers (2-0 Big Ten, 4-1 overall) 41-24.