By numbers alone, Wisconsin’s men’s hockey team was always going to be reliant on its underclassmen this year.
According to a report from The Wisconsin Radio Network, junior quarterback Alex Hornibrook is in concussion protocol and his status for Saturday’s game against Northwestern is in jeopardy.
When the Wisconsin men’s basketball team took the floor for warm-ups before the “Red and White Scrimmage” Sunday, one of the first songs to play over the loudspeakers was Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” It was an apt choice for this year’s team, one that finds itself in uncharted territory. After a 2017-2018 season full of injuries, heartbreaking losses and countless ups and downs, the 2018-2019 squad returns with a chip on their shoulder.
Alex Hornibrook is not the problem with Wisconsin’s offense. And no, the current blue-chip commit Graham Mertz will not instantly transform the Badgers into Alabama. For the past three years, fans have complained about Hornibrook any time the offense has struggled.
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.
Lighting struck twice for the Badgers, once again from the boot of Noah Melick. For the second straight game, Melick scored a fantastic strike in double overtime, propelling the Wisconsin Badgers (5-2-0 Big Ten, 8-5-2 overall) to a 2-1 over the Northwestern Wildcats (0-5-3, 4-8-5). Melick’s second straight game-winning goal in overtime came in a similar one from his stunner against Michigan. A long ball from junior defender Zach Klacnick bounced into the path of the freshman forward at the edge of the box.
The Wisconsin Badgers women’s soccer team (6-2-3 Big Ten, 12-3-3 overall) concluded their regular season with a 2-1 loss on the road against Ohio State (6-2-3, 9-5-3). Both teams entered the game in good form with Wisconsin unbeaten in its previous seven games and the Buckeyes picking up only one loss over their last 10. Ohio State took the lead in only the ninth minute of the game when a low cross from senior midfielder Eleanor Gabriel found sophomore forward Marissa Birzon behind the Wisconsin back line. With a move taking her past the flying Jordyn Bloomer, Birzon found herself with an easy finish on an open net to put the Buckeyes in front.
As a freshman, it took Sean Dhooghe 22 games and three months to score four goals for the UW men's hockey team. On the first road trip of his sophomore year, it took him just five and a half periods.
The 2018-2019 men’s basketball season began in earnest Sunday at the Kohl Center as the Badgers took part in the annual Red and White scrimmage.
When the Wisconsin secondary came out for their finals warm-ups, starting safeties Reggie Pearson and Scott Nelson came out without pads while D’Cota Dixon looked like a coach instead of a player. With all three safeties out for the game, the question loomed on who was going to step up at strong safety for an injury riddled secondary.
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.
While Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson came out with a win for his Badgers to add to their undefeated season on Friday night, his son Patrick Johnson ended the game with a loss as the temporary equipment manager for the Tigers this weekend.
Noah Melick’s stunning game-winning goal in double overtime against the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines (3-2-1 Big Ten, 9-4-1 overall) sparked incredible celebrations for the Wisconsin Badgers (4-2, 7-5-2) as pulled off a 1-0 upset. A hopeful ball by junior midfielder Duncan Storey found Melick running into space in the 108th minute.
The Wisconsin Badgers women’s soccer team (6-1-3 Big Ten, 12-2-3 Overall) continued their good run of form with a 1-0 win over Nebraska (4-2-3 Big Ten, 8-5-4 Overall) in their final home game of the season, extending their unbeaten streak to seven games.
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.
The Badgers will face Illinois this Saturday at Camp Randall — here's what both teams need to do to walk away with the victory.
It’s not often that Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson faces a team for the first time. With more than 15 years of experience in the head job — and fewer than 40 women’s Division 1 teams — Johnson has the luxury of knowing most of the programs he faces inside and out. But that advantage won’t be present this weekend, as Wisconsin’s No. 2-ranked women’s hockey team (2-0-0 WCHA, 6-0-0 overall) welcomes the Princeton Tigers (0-0-0 ECAC, 0-0-0 overall) to Madison.
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