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ALL HANDS ON DECK My ball! Aleem Ford, Ethan Happ and Kobe King all dive for a loose ball in the Badgers’ 101-60 win over Savannah State last Thursday at the Kohl Center. PHOTO BY DARREN LEE
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DOAK DYNASTY A finalist for the second straight year, Jonathan Taylor heard his name called this time around and joined Chris Fowler on stage Dec. 6 at the ESPN College Football Awards in Atlanta to accept the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back. Taylor’s win gives the Badgers four Doak Walker winners, the most of any school. PHOTO BY ESPN IMAGES
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TOYS FOR TOTS Approximately 1,700 stuffed animals were tossed onto the Kohl Center ice during the #UWTeddyToss on Dec. 8. The bears and other animals went to the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots program, making the holidays a bit better for those in need around the area. PHOTOS BY DAN SANGER
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SHE’S #1! Annie Pankowski’s leading the Badgers in goals this year and she was just selected as the No. 1 pick in the National Women’s Hockey League draft by the Metropolitan Riveters. Teammate Sophia Shaver was also picked in Round 2 by the Minnesota Whitecaps, while Emily Clark is anticipated to go in Round 3 later this week. PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA
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CAPPED OFF Wisconsin could field a football team entirely of graduates after 11 Badgers received their diplomas as part of UW’s winter commencement. Head coach Paul Chryst was on hand to congratulate new grads Beau Benzschawel (life sciences communication), Evan Bondoc (political science and Spanish), Ryan Connelly (economics), Taiwan Deal (sociology), Michael Deiter (retailing & consumer behavior), T.J. Edwards (life sciences communication), Alec Ingold (personal finance), Micah Kapoi (retailing & consumer behavior), Zander Neuville (biology), Chris Orr (life sciences communication) and Andrew Van Ginkel (agricultural business management). PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA
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EXTRA EFFORT Seamus Malone caps off a Wisconsin sweep with a diving puck poke for an empty-net goal in the Badgers’ 3-0 shutout over Michigan State at the Kohl Center on Dec. 8. PHOTO BY DAN SANGER
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THREEEEE! The Wisconsin bench erupts in cheers and celebration after the Badgers drain a 3-pointer en route to an 85-38 victory against Chicago State on Dec. 12. PHOTO BY GREG ANDERSON
CONTENTS
DECEMBER 19, 2018 ▪ VOLUME 9, ISSUE 16
NEW YORK YANKEES
34 BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY Senior safety D’Cota Dixon recently spent a few days in Manhattan for the National Football Foundation banquet. With just over a week to go until the Pinstripe Bowl at historic Yankee Stadium, he’s ready to share the magic of New York City with his teammates.
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IN FOCUS
20 LUCAS AT LARGE 23 BY THE NUMBERS 25 WHAT TO WATCH
YOUTH MOVEMENT 38 LUCAS
DAVID STLUKA
FEATURES
UW’s defense has battled through growing pains, but this season’s challenges have the Badgers primed for future opportunity.
29 BADGERING 31 BADGERS GIVE BACK 33 VIRAL VIDEO 47 INSIDE FOOTBALL 49 INSIDE BASKETBALL 53 INSIDE HOCKEY
31 PEN PALS
BADGERS GIVE BACK
The Badgers Give Back beloved pen pal program has paired up 75 student-athletes with 90 area school children. 17
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LUCAS AT LARGE
BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM
Ferguson’s standing out thanks to focus on craft
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gun to carve out his own niche and identity. Separate from the tight end (Troy Fumagalli) who mentored him. Separate from the older brother (Joe) who preceded him. Separate from the granddad (Barry Alvarez) who raised the bar for him. Playing his own game, he found, was far more enjoyable than playing someone else’s. “It’s definitely different from the scout team,” said Ferguson, the former Madison Memorial High School stalwart. “Going into training camp, I was used to that practice setting. But the
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year ago, Jake Ferguson was not in Miami’s scouting report on Wisconsin. But he was in Wisconsin’s scouting report on Miami. Ferguson, you see, redshirted as a freshman and didn’t play in the Orange Bowl. But he did play a role on the Badger scout team leading up to the game. With his size, speed and ball skills, Ferguson was perfectly suited to not only simulate Hurricanes tight end Michael Irvin II (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) for the No. 1 UW defense in practice, but he also took on the route-running tendencies and physical characteristics of wide receiver Lawrence Cager (6-5, 200). It was not the first time that Ferguson, a tight end/Hback, was utilized as a “big” wide-out with the scouts. Before the Badgers played at Indiana, he drew the assignment of impersonating the moves of the Hoosiers leading receiver, Simmie Cobbs (6-3, 220), who finished the season with 72 catches. In 2017, Cobbs was a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection. Ferguson has the future look of one. After catching 34 passes for 441 yards and four touchdowns, the second-most receptions and yardage on the offense, he earned honorable mention recognition from both the coaches and media. In the process, the 6-5, 239-pound Ferguson has be-
game is almost a completely different game. It’s a lot faster. Definitely the crowd has an impact. “But once you get comfortable, it does turn into that practice. I now value practice a lot more than I did in the past — just being able to focus on the craft — and then taking it into games and being able to use it. Looking at film, you can see what I do in practice has eventually turned up in games.” In his college debut, Ferguson caught four passes — the same number that he had in back-toback games against Iowa and Nebraska to open the Big Ten season. But he got a reality check at Michigan when the Wolverines covered him with their fastest linebacker, Khaleke Hudson. “I felt like he was more of a safety, size-wise — he was definitely faster than the other linebackers I had played against,” said Ferguson, who was held to two catches. “I came in there with a big head, honestly. I didn’t help Horni (Alex Hornibrook) enough, not nearly as much as I should have.” It was part of Ferguson’s orientation to defenses countering some patterns with coverages designed to take him out of his comfort zone and the offense. If he was having success running 10-yard outs, as he was early in the season, he’d draw outside leverage, neutralizing that particular route. In countering the count-
ers, the game within the game, it helped that he had a feel for what he was looking at — whether man or zone coverage. “I think that’s one of my stronger points,” he said. “I played quarterback as a youth football player and my dad always had me reading coverage.” It didn’t hurt, either, that Ferguson played offense and defense as a prep. “He played all over the place when he was younger,” noted tight ends coach Mickey Turner. “All those things go into knowing how the game moves, how a defender is going to try and leverage you, and what their adjustments are going to be when you beat them the first time. “We have to get him routes that are going both ways … in and out … vertical and stops … doing it from different formations, shifts and motions. We’re giving them a different picture while he’s still running something he knows … it’s not something they can key on pre-snap.” “Jake has always been a competitive route-runner for the lack of a better term. He’ll go up and get the football or he’ll find that burst of speed when he needs it. But it’s the details of when the quarterback is going to get his eyes on you and what the window is that you’ve got to be in. “Those are all things he had to learn.” Turner has enjoyed working with Ferguson who brings a little personality to what he’s doing.
“He gets a kick out of getting better,” Turner emphasized with a smile. “He looks at each little piece (of the playbook) as something he can take ownership of. And that’s what makes it fun for me. I know he’s invested as much or more so than I am.” Of Ferguson’s 34 catches, 27 have gone for a first down or a touchdown. He’s averaging nearly 14 yards per reception on the 16 passes (23 targets) that he has caught on third or fourth down. “As much growth as he has made to this point,” Turner said, “I see it continuing moving forward.”
“HE GETS A KICK OUT OF GETTING BETTER,” TURNER SAID OF FERGUSON. “HE LOOKS AT EACH LITTLE PIECE (OF THE PLAYBOOK) AS SOMETHING HE CAN TAKE OWNERSHIP OF. I KNOW HE’S INVESTED AS MUCH OR MORE SO THAN I AM.” Like his teammates, Ferguson has played through injuries. He was banged up against Northwestern and dealt with back spasms at Penn State. “I could play,” said Ferguson, who had four catches for 24 yards in those games combined. “But I definitely didn’t play the way I wanted.” In the triple-overtime victory at Purdue, he had only a couple of grabs. But one was critical. It came on second-and-8 in the first OT and it covered 11 yards.
Jonathan Taylor scored on the next play. In the regular-season finale against Minnesota, he had a career-high five catches and a touchdown. That loss still stings Ferguson. “We’ve got that chip on our shoulder,” he said, “looking into that empty trophy case.” Because of last year’s loss to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl, it’s reasonable to assume that Miami will have an axe to grind in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, a most unique battleground. “I know there’s a lot of tradition there,” said Ferguson, who was a pitcher in youth baseball and through his freshman year of high school and claimed, “I threw a deadly 12-6 curveball. It was nasty.” Without prodding, Ferguson then volunteered a flashback from old Yankee Stadium. “Colts-Giants,” he said. “Ameche won that game in overtime.” Sure enough, 60 years ago — what was billed as the “Greatest Game Ever Played” — the Baltimore Colts won the NFL championship over the New York Giants when Ameche, the Kenosha, Wisconsin native, and the 1954 Heisman Trophy winner with the Badgers, scored in sudden death overtime. How in the world would Ferguson know about that piece of history? “Gramps was talking to me about it over dinner,” he said, grinning. “Pretty cool.” ▪
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BY THE NUMBERS
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DEB LINDSAY
WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING ▶ Headlined by her collegiate and Americanrecord time of 49.67 in the 100-yard backstroke on Nov. 30, junior Beata Nelson closed out the first half of the season as the nation’s top-ranked swimmer in the women’s 100 back, 200 back and 200 individual medley.
◀ MEN’S BASKETBALL UW set a school record for points in a half, scoring 69 in the first half en route to a 69-32 halftime lead against Savannah State on Dec. 13. Wisconsin defeated the Tigers, 101-60.
WOMEN’S HOCKEY ▼ Annie Pankowski enters the Badgers’ holiday break with a seven-game goal streak, the third-longest streak in program history. The senior leads the team in goals with 14 tallies this year.
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▲ FOOTBALL Jonathan Taylor needs just 34 yards to become the sixth UW player to rush for 4,000 in a career, a mark he can top in just his 27th game. Taylor’s career average of 152.5 yards per game is 35.2 better than any other active FBS player. Boston College's AJ Dillon (117.3 ypg) ranks No. 2.
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WHAT TO WATCH
PINSTRIPE BOWL
FOOTBALL VS. MIAMI THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27 ▪ 4:15PM BRONX, N.Y. ▪ ESPN
DAVID STLUKA
Wisconsin travels to the Big Apple and historic Yankee Stadium to play Miami in the 2018 New Era Pinstripe Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 27. Watch the Badgers’ rematch against the Canes at 4:15 p.m. CT on ESPN.
buy tickets
ON
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL AT MINNESOTA FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28 ▪ 8PM MINNEAPOLIS ▪ BTN
GREG ANDERS
B1G OPEN
Wisconsin tips off the Big Ten season on the road against Border Battle rival Minnesota on Friday, Dec. 28. Don’t miss the prime time game against the Golden Gophers on Big Ten Network at 8 p.m. CT.
DAVID STLUKA
FINAL TEST
MEN’S BASKETBALL AT WESTERN KENTUCKY SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 ▪ 4:30PM BOWLING GREEN, KY. ▪ CBS SPORTS NETWORK Wisconsin ends 2018 on the road against Western Kentucky on Saturday, Dec. 29. Catch the Badgers on the hardwood against the Hilltoppers live on CBS Sports Network at 4:30 p.m. CT. 25
WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY 12/19
THURSDAY 12/20
FRIDAY 12/21 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Evansville Madison, Wis. 7 p.m. Watch: BTN Plus Buy tickets »
SUNDAY 12/23
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ALL TIMES CENTRAL
MONDAY 12/24
SATURDAY 12/22 MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Grambling State Madison, Wis. 11 a.m. Watch: BTN Buy tickets »
TUESDAY 12/25
WEDNESDAY 12/26
THURSDAY 12/27 FOOTBALL at Pinstripe Bowl vs. Miami Bronx, N.Y. 4:15 p.m. Watch: ESPN Buy tickets »
SUNDAY 12/30 WRESTLING at Midlands Championships Hoffman Estates, Ill. All day
FRIDAY 12/28 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at #13 Minnesota Minneapolis 8 p.m. Watch: BTN
MONDAY 12/31
SATURDAY 12/29 MEN’S BASKETBALL at Western Kentucky Bowling Green, Ky. 4:30 p.m. Watch: CBS Sports Network WRESTLING at Midlands Championships Hoffman Estates, Ill. All day
TUESDAY 1/1
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Purdue Madison, Wis. 2 p.m. Buy tickets »
VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »
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BADGERING...
MJ MAO
SOPHOMORE ▪ FLY/BREAST ▪ HONOLULU, HAWAII When did you first start swimming? “I started swimming when I was just 6 years old. In my hometown of Shanghai, China, the summers are really humid and hot, so my parents signed me up for a swimming camp and I ended up really liking it.” Why did you choose Wisconsin? “The education, for sure. I also felt Madison was the right place to offer just enough of a big city feel without the crowds and the lakes around campus were a good substitute for the ocean. Lastly, red means energy and positivity in Chinese culture, and it is my favorite and luckiest color.” What is your favorite event to swim? “My favorite event is definitely the 200 medley relay. I am a sprinter and have always been a huge fan of sprint events. It’s exciting to work together with my teammates knowing that the race is not only about myself but really a true team effort.” What are your goals for the season? “My primary goal is to be a Big Ten A-finalist and NCAA qualifier this year. I want to enjoy every moment of the season, learning as much as I can, swimming as fast as I can and being my best on every single day. I also want to continue to stay on top of my studies because education is lifelong and it is a big reason why I am here.” What have been your best experiences as a Badger? “For sure being part of our incredible team atmosphere. Standing behind the block before my races and seeing all the guys getting extremely hyped and cheering for me makes my swims so much easier. It is great to always have my teammates’ support, in and out of the pool, and to know that they are always there for me. That’s a big treasure.”
DAVID STLUKA
What are some of your hobbies? “I spend quite a bit time listening to music, or when I have some free time, I like to watch college and pro basketball and football games. During the offseason, I like to play basketball to stay in shape.” ▪
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We didn’t invent the term “gemutlicHKeit” but we did perfect it. Welcome to a state of gemutlichkeit.
BADGERS GIVE BACK SPOTLIGHT
badgers give back
You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Student-athletes pair up with elementary students as pen pals BY BADGERS GIVE BACK STAFF
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very kid deserves a positive role model to look up to, and the Badgers were primed and ready to step into that role this fall. Seventy-five Wisconsin student-athletes paired up with over ninety third through fifth graders from the Lussier Community Education Center and Randall Elementary to be pen pals for the semester. The buddies passed notebooks back and forth every week, exchanging letters, drawings, and photos. By the end of the program, each kid had a notebook full of memories to take home with them. “Writing and spending time with you was the highlight of my semester! You are my little brother now,” writes Faion Hicks, a sophomore on the football team, to his buddy Amaree. In addition to the notebook exchanges, the Badgers also had the opportunity to visit their buddies for recess, after-school activities, and hosted them on campus for the women’s basketball home opener. Diamond Bragg, a freshman on the women’s basketball team, explained, “These relationships have gone beyond the notebook helping
to establish a long-lasting friendship that will continue to grow beyond this program.” The Badgers came into the program excited to serve as role models, but the kids also taught them a lesson or two. Madison Cone, a sophomore on the football team, shared, “with the intent of impacting Jon Jon’s life, I never thought he would have such a positive impact on mine.” Cone has continued to spend time with Jon Jon outside of the pen pal program, most recently attending a Badger basketball game with him and his family. There is growing excitement from both student-athletes and kids for the return of the program this spring. Annie Wagner, a senior on the track team who has participated the past two semesters, shared, “I like pen pals because it’s a way to show support for the Madison community, while being able to hang out with and support some amazing students.” As this program continues to expand its reach, the Badger family continues to grow alongside of it. ▪
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VIRAL VIDEO
A PARENT’S MESSAGE UP NEXT:
LIFE AFTER WISCONSIN, BY ALEX INGOLD
BADGERS SWEEP MICHIGAN STATE, END FIRST HALF ON A 6-GAME POINT STREAK
FOLLOW THE BADGERS ▶ 33
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BY andy baggot
isconsin senior safety D’Cota Dixon said his recent trip to New York City bordered on the magical. Donning a tuxedo and being a guest of honor at the National Football Foundation awards dinner can make you feel that way. So can dining with icons and meeting with legends of the game. But the truly enchanting part for Dixon was the city itself, which touched him in a multitude of ways. “So many different personalities, so many walks of life, so many people coming together,” he said. “One of those places that kind of had a magical feel to it.” Dixon explored the iconic boundaries of New York City in proper fashion last week as part of the annual NFF gala. He rode its subway. He walked its streets. He hailed one of its cabs. He saw storefronts decked out for the holidays and traffic as far as the eye could see. He saw street performers dance and sing. He had a hotdog from a vendor cart and a lavish NFF-sponsored dinner at Gallagher’s Steakhouse.
UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER
Dixon was there as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, given to the top scholar-athlete in college football. Though he didn’t win — the honor went to Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins — Dixon will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship for his distinguished status as an NFF National Scholar-Athlete. He also had a meaningful, unforgettable experience that will give way to a return trip to the Big Apple. Dixon is one of 16 seniors who will play his final game for the Badgers in the Pinstripe Bowl vs. Miami on Dec. 27 at hallowed Yankee Stadium. It’s not the bowl assignment Wisconsin players and coaches envisioned when the season began in August. Coming off back-to-back New Year’s Six berths — victories over Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl in 2017 and Miami in the Orange Bowl last December — the Badgers had trained their sights on qualifying for the College Football Playoff. That didn’t materialize. Neither did a preferred warm-weather bowl assignment.
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Dixon, a co-captain, believes that once his teammates land in New York City, their spirits will soar. “It’s one of those things where they’ll be more excited about it when they get there,” he said. “It’s one of the best experiences I’ll ever have.” Dixon, from Oak Hill, Florida, said a rematch with the Hurricanes is something everyone in the Wisconsin locker room should embrace. “Definitely want to maximize it,” he said, calling Miami “a great opponent, a great team.” Dixon should be an excellent tourist resource for his teammates, many of whom have never been to the most populous city in the U.S. (8.62 million). After all, he crammed a lot of living into his visit. After checking in to his hotel on Dec. 3, he stopped at a nearby diner where a plate of French toast cost $14.50. Dixon then jumped on a subway train that made 14 stops before it arrived at Battery Park and a view of the Statue of Liberty. From there it was a walk to Wall Street, the famed financial district, and seeing the “Charging Bull.” That gave way to a stop at the reflecting pools at the World Trade Center, which commemorates those killed in the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001. Dixon said it was the most memorable part of his exploration. “That really put a lot of things in perspective, especially when you think about the people and their families,” he said. “I couldn’t imagine the people of New York witnessing that, experiencing that.” Dixon noticed there were fresh flowers at the site, suggesting that many psychological wounds remain fresh. “It’s one of those things where you’ve got to be grateful for life, be thankful for the family you have and the people in your corner that are there to support you,” he said. “That made me think a lot about that.”
The next day Dixon joined Wisconsin direcly an assistant coach at Army. tor of athletics Barry Alvarez and coach Paul “Very special,” D’Cota said. Chryst at Yankee Stadium, where everyone Dixon also met Pro Football Hall of Fame demet Yankees general manager Brian Cashman fensive backs Charles Woodson and Ed Reed and manager Aaron Boone. as part of the festivities. That was a big deal From there Dixon visited NFL headquarters, for Dixon, who has a degree in rehabilitation where he spent nearly an hour with Troy Vinpsychology but is determined to make it in the cent, the former Badgers NFL. All-American who serves “One of the cool, aweas director of operations some moments I got to “HOPEFULLY WE CAN FINISH THE SEASON for the league. have there,” Dixon said. “I THE RIGHT WAY,” DIXON SAID. “THAT WOULD “A man of faith and was honored. I was privBE A GOOD FEELING.” wisdom and perspective,” ileged talking to those Dixon said of Vincent. guys.” “We didn’t even talk about football. We talked Dixon has great memories of New York City, about life. but he has some unfinished business. “He’s done everything I want to do and He wants a slice of its famed pizza. more.” He wants to be part of a senior class that Dixon later made his way to St. Patrick’s won all four of its bowl games, something Cathedral and the famous Christmas tree at that’s never happened at Wisconsin. Rockefeller Center. “Hopefully we can finish the season the right The banquet also brought Dixon great joy. way,” Dixon said. “That would be a good feelHe spent time with his brother, Daryl, currenting.”
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im Leonhard knew all along what he had. But the 36-year-old Wisconsin defensive coordinator admitted, “I don’t know if the rest of the Badgers fans knew how special that group was a year ago. That’s not normal to have that level of experience and playmaking on your defense.” Going into their 2017 Orange Bowl matchup with Miami, the Badgers ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense (253.2) and passing efficiency defense (96.3), and No. 2 in scoring defense (13.2) and rushing defense (92.6). They had allowed eight touchdowns over the previous eight games. Leonhard opened with a nickel package against the Canes, including four fifth-year seniors (Alec James, Conor Sheehy, Garret Dooley, Leon Jacobs), a four-year starter (Derrick Tindal), a speedy jack-of-all trades (Natrell Jamerson) and a junior (Nick Nelson) who went on to be drafted in the fourth round. The leading tacklers were the inside linebackers, Ryan Connelly and T.J. Edwards, a first-team All-American and Butkus Award runner-up. The quarterback/catalyst in the secondary was D’Cota Dixon, the fourth-leading tackler. The nickel back was Dontye Carri-
ere-Williams, a redshirt freshman. Off that starting unit — which had a hand in Wisconsin’s 34-24 win over the Hurricanes on their home turf at Hard Rock Stadium — Edwards and Dixon will be the only returning defensive starters for the Dec. 27 rematch in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. “Obviously, we knew coming into this year, it was going to be a different group and guys were going to have to step into bigger roles,” Leonhard said of the expected personnel losses. “They were going to be asked to do different things and more than they have in the past.” Besides Edwards and Dixon, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk, and cornerback Madison Cone are the only other active Badgers to show up in the defensive stats (excluding special teams) from the Orange Bowl. That is a dramatic turnover. “It has been a challenge, at times,” acknowledged Leonhard, who’s completing his third season on the UW staff, second as the DC. “But I love the way our guys work — they battle — and they’re not looking for sympathy. All they’re trying to do is get better and help this team win games.”
▪▪▪▪ “He was filling a hole we needed him to fill,” Injuries took a toll. Defensive end Garrett Leonhard said. “It was very unselfish on his Rand, a projected starter, was lost over the part.” summer with an Achilles injury. He had two In late October, the Badgers had another tackles against the Canes. “You take him out hole on their defensive front, a huge hole, when of the lineup for the entire season,” Leonhard Sagapolu injured his arm at Northwestern and said, “and everyone is in a different role than was lost for the remainder of the season. A they would have been.” young D-line got even younger when Bryson Coupled with Rand’s loss was Loudermilk’s Williams, a true freshman, made his first start rehab from offseason against Rutgers. surgery which kept him The front seven was on the sideline during rarely at full strength. “IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE, AT TIMES,” training camp. Along Loudermilk returned for ACKNOWLEDGED LEONHARD. “BUT I LOVE THE with replacing the seBYU (Sept. 15) and made WAY OUR GUYS WORK — THEY BATTLE — niors (James, Sheehy, three starts before going AND THEY’RE NOT LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY. Chikwe Obasih), Leondown with a high-ankle ALL THEY’RE TRYING TO DO IS GET BETTER hard had to patch tosprain; the same injuAND HELP THIS TEAM WIN GAMES.” gether a defensive line ry that Van Ginkel susfor the opener without tained against BYU. He Rand and Loudermilk. continued to play but at a limited capacity. The anchor was nose tackle Olive Sagapolu, Last week, it was announced that Connelly, a 19-game starter. On the first defensive posUW’s second-leading tackler, would miss the session of the season against Western KenPinstripe Bowl and have surgery for an injury tucky, Sagapolu lined up with a couple of redthat hampered him over the final month of the shirt freshmen: Matt Henningsen and Kayden regular season, according to head coach Paul Lyles, a converted offensive guard. Lyles will go Chryst. Connelly is a fifth-year senior. back to offense next season. “I couldn’t be more proud as a coach of the
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impact that he’s had on this team. He does everything you ask of him the way you want him to do it,” Leonhard said. “We have to get guys to rally around him; this is not the way he wanted to go out and finish this thing. “Between Chris and Jack, they’re going to have to step up and man that position.” Chris is redshirt junior Chris Orr, a veteran of 35 games and 15 starts. Jack is true freshman Jack Sanborn, who has appeared in 10 games. This season, the Edwards and Connelly tag team flourished despite all the youngsters around them — despite the expectations for one or the other, or both, to be the defensive leader regardless of the circumstances.
Through 12 games, they have combined for 193 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. “The tough thing for me was trying to find guys outside of T.J. and Ryan to make plays, big plays,” said Leonhard, pointing out that Van Ginkel and Dixon were “beat up throughout the year and there were few games where I would say they were truly themselves.” Leonhard has been waiting on the development of that “next wave” of contributors. “Zack Baun did it at times; he was very dynamic for us,” he said of Wisconsin’s third-leading tackler who had 60 stops, 29 fewer than Connelly. “But you look outside of that group (of linebackers), it was pretty inconsistent as far as game-changing plays, just noticeable big plays.” Last year, the Badgers had ZACK BAUN 89 TFLs, 42 sacks and 20 interceptions, including three against Miami in the Orange Bowl. They also returned five picks for touchdowns, a school record; and had a fumble return for a score. By comparison, they’ve had 57 TFLs, 18 sacks and 10 interceptions in 2018. “Not that guys weren’t doing really good things,” said Leonhard, “but as a secondary, especially, we struggled making quarterbacks pay. The more aggressive teams are, if you don’t take the ball away, you’re going to be in trouble eventually. “I was pleased with how our guys grew and I was happy with the way that they worked. We’re a lot farther along right now than we were at the beginning of the season.”
▪▪▪▪ at corner and Reggie Pearson at safety. Both In the past, the Badgers have been able to are true freshmen. Eric Burrell, a sophomore, reload on defense. When they lost T.J. Watt replaced an injured Dixon at the other safety. and Vince Biegel, they had Dooley and Jacobs And Deron Harrell, a redshirt freshman, was step up. Both were seasoned vets. When they the other corner. lost Sojourn Shelton at corner, they had NelThe week before Michigan, the starters were son; when they lost Leo Musso at safety, they Dixon, Harrell, redshirt freshman Scott Nelson had Jamerson. and redshirt freshman Faion Hicks. By contrast, a true freshman took over for The week after Michigan, the starters in the Nelson this season; a nickel package were redshirt freshman for Harrell, Burrell, WildJamerson. goose, sophomore “I WAS PLEASED WITH HOW OUR GUYS GREW AND “It’s one of those Madison Cone and I WAS HAPPY WITH THE WAY THAT THEY WORKED. things where you have fifth-year senior Evan WE’RE A LOT FARTHER ALONG RIGHT NOW THAN to play longer together Bondoc. WE WERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON.” to get a feel for each Another sophomore,
“
other,” Edwards said. “Towards the end of the year, we were closer to that.” Defensively, the Badgers were in rebuild mode, especially the secondary. At Michigan, for instance, youth was served. Out of necessity. Rachad Wildgoose started
Caesar Williams, and another true freshman, Donte Burton, also made starts in the back end. “It was very challenging because you don’t really get a lot of cohesion as a group,” Leonhard confirmed. “It was rarely the same guys
MADISON CONE
DAVID STLUKA
43
performing at that level, week-in and weekout, whether it was due to injuries or just youth and inexperience. “Eventually, it’s going to pay off.” Leonhard tailored his lesson plans to his students. “Knowing you don’t have the experience, you really have to teach football,” he said. “You have to teach basics and maybe keep it a little simpler at times to just give guys the opportunity to play fast. “You have to help them play confident — you have to help them play physical.” NEIL AMENT
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Leonhard’s coaching and teaching adjustments have not gone unnoticed. “I just felt like he did a really good job of keeping us more accountable,” Dixon said. “From 2016 (Leonhard’s first year), he has taken the initiative of understanding each player for who they are and then implementing tools or techniques. When you’ve got younger dudes, you’ve got to adapt to them.” Leonhard’s flexibility stood out to Edwards. “He changed his style to accommodate what we have this year,” he said. “I love it. That’s exactly what a coach should do.” The future looks promising. Nine underclassmen started RACHAD WILDGOOSE at least once in the secondary: Hicks (10), Wildgoose (7), Nelson (7), Burrell (5), Harrell (5), Williams (4), Cone (2), Pearson (1) and Burton (1). True freshmen Travian Blaylock and Alexander Smith also saw some action but, like Burton and Pearson, preserved their redshirts by playing in four or fewer games. “With our injury situation this year, we were able to get guys some good quality reps who are going to still redshirt. I like the rule,” Leonhard said. “It’s still going to be a work in progress as far as what’s best for everyone. But I definitely think it helped us out.” Collin Wilder, a University of Houston transfer, is another player that Leonhard is excited about. He appeared in 13 games as a true freshman at UH but only two as a sophomore after injuring his knee. “You can ask anyone in the locker room,” Leonhard said,
“and he has showed up in big ways.” kota (where he was first-team All-Missouri ValAt various points, so did many of his young ley). “You’re trying to make sure you’re lined pups on defense. up correctly let alone being in the right spot to The Badgers blanked Iowa in the fourth quarmake the play,” he said. ter of a 28-17 road win. They held Michigan’s But he has seen progress and growth on deShea Patterson to 124 passing yards. They interfense even with the Minnesota setback. cepted Northwestern’s Clayton Thorson three “You’ve seen a lot of people step up into the times. They held Purspot where we needed due to a fourth-quarthem and really emter field goal in another brace their role,” said “WE DEFINITELY MATURED SINCE WEEK ONE. come-from-behind win Van Ginkel, a senior. I THINK IT’S GOING TO PAY DIVIDENDS IN THE (47-44 in triple over“Obviously, our secLONG RUN. THERE WAS A BIG LEARNING CURVE. time). ondary and D-line has BUT GUYS CROSSED OVER THE HUMP. As for the inevitable been thin with all the NOW, IT’S TIME TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP.” growing pains, Dixinjuries and things goon said, “We definiteing on. But they got exly matured since week one. I think it’s going perience throughout the year. to pay dividends in the long run. There was a “I’m not worried about the young guys at all. big learning curve. But guys crossed over the You’re starting to see a lot more of them — hump. Now, it’s time to take the next step.” like Matt Henningsen, Faion Hicks and Rachad Van Ginkel can relate to what many of the Wildgoose — make plays in key moments. And DBs have been going through. As a redshirt they’ll just continue to grow. I’m excited for freshman, he started 11 games at South Dawhat their future holds.”
“
ERIC BURRELL
BOB CAMPBELL
45
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INSIDE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (7-5, 5-4) Home events in bold. All times CT. Aug. 31 Western Kentucky W, 34-3 Sept. 8 New Mexico Sept. 15 BYU
L, 21-24
Sept. 22 at Iowa Oct. 6
W, 45-14 W, 28-17
Nebraska
W, 41-24
Oct. 13 at #12 Michigan L, 13-38 Oct. 20 Illinois
W, 49-20
Homecoming
Oct. 27 at Northwestern L, 17-31 Rutgers
W, 31-17
Nov. 10 at #20 Penn St. L, 10-22 ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Life After Wisconsin, by Alec Ingold
NEXT WEEK Wisconsin (7-5) looks to extend its nation-leading streak of four straight bowl game victories when it faces off with Miami (7-5) in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on Dec. 27. LAST TIME OUT Despite 120 rushing yards from Jonathan Taylor and a career-high 18 tackles from T.J. Edwards, the Badgers’ regular season ended in a 37-15 loss to Minnesota on Nov. 24. GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers have won four straight bowl games, matching Georgia, Louisiana Tech and Utah for the nation’s longest
active streak. Wisconsin’s 17 straight bowl appearances marks the Big Ten’s longest run and ranks in a tie for fifth nationally. NEED TO KNOW The New Era Pinstripe Bowl kicks off at 4:15 p.m. CT on Dec. 27 and airs live on ESPN, with Bob Wischusen, Mike Golic Jr., Dan Orlovsky and Paul Carcaterra on the call. In addition to a national radio broadcast on ESPN Radio, Matt Lepay and Mike Lucas will call the game statewide on the Badger Sports Network. Live stats are available via UWBadgers.com and the Badger Gameday app.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Baggot: Badgers at home in the Big Apple
Nov. 17 at Purdue
W, 47-44 3OT
Nov. 24 Minnesota
DAVID STLUKA
Nov. 3
L, 15-37
at New Era Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx, N.Y.:
Dec. 27 vs. Miami
4:15 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
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▶ Trio of Badgers named Walter Camp All-America ▶ Baggot: Perspective on Taylor’s road to Doak Walker
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INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (9-2, 2-0) Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 27 NC State
W, 79-75
Nov. 30 at #14 Iowa
W, 72-66
Dec. 3
Rutgers
Dec. 8
at Marquette
W, 69-64 L, 69-74
Dec. 13 Savannah St. W, 101-60 Dec. 22 Grambling State 11 a.m. Dec. 29 at W. Kentucky 4:30 p.m.
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Strickland Scores Career High 14 Pts as Badgers Breeze Past Tigers
THIS WEEK No. 16 Wisconsin (9-2, 2-0 Big Ten) returns from a break for final exams on Saturday to host Grambling State (5-6) in the final non-conference home game of the season. The Badgers conclude their non-conference slate on Dec. 29 with a road trip to Western Kentucky. LAST WEEK UW defeated Savannah State 101-60 on Thursday as four Badgers reached double-figures in scoring. Sophomore guard Brad Davison led the way with 24 points, while senior forward Ethan Happ added 18 points, freshman guard Tai Strickland scored 14
points and sophomore guard D'Mitrik Trice contributed 14 points. GOOD TO KNOW Wisconsin has opened the season with a record of 9-2. The Badgers have started the season 9-2 or better in 14 of the last 17 seasons.
Jan. 3
Minnesota
Jan. 6
at Penn State 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 11
Purdue
Jan. 14
at Maryland
Jan. 19
#4 Michigan
Jan. 23
at Illinois
Jan. 26
Northwestern 1:15 p.m.
Jan. 29
at #25 Nebraska 7 p.m.
8 p.m. 8 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 11 a.m. 8 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Fans can watch UW’s matchup against Grambling State live on BTN while its tilt against WKU can be seen on CBS Sports Network. Both games can be heard on the Badger Radio Network and via iHeartRadio and fans can follow the action live on Twitter (@BadgerMBB).
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Badgers breeze past Tigers
FOLLOW US:
▶ Potter to transfer to Wisconsin men’s basketball team ▶ Happ earns fourth Big Ten Player of the Week honor
49
INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (8-3, 0-0) Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 8
Winthrop
W, 76-41
Nov. 13 at Milwaukee W, 68-57 Nov. 17 N. Dakota St. W, 64-53 Nov. 19 IUPUI
W, 65-64 OT
at Challenge in the Music City, Nashville, Tenn.:
Nov. 23 vs. Pittsburgh W, 57-42 Nov. 24 at Tennessee St. W, 58-53 L, 68-69
Nov. 28 Duke
L, 53-60
Dec. 4
Marshall
Dec. 8
at Green Bay
W, 67-49 L, 46-55
GREG ANDERSON
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Takes Care of Business Against Chicago State
Nov. 25 vs. Arkansas
Dec. 12 Chicago State W, 85-38
THIS WEEK After a week off for final exams, Wisconsin (8-3) wraps up non-conference play on Friday vs. Evansville (1-8). Tip time is 7 p.m. from the Kohl Center. The Badgers open Big Ten play on Dec. 28 at No. 13 Minnesota (10-0, 0-0). Game time is 8 p.m. from Williams Arena in Minneapolis, live on the Big Ten Network. LAST WEEK Wisconsin got back on the winning track on Dec. 12 with an 85-38 win over Chicago State in the Kohl Center. UW recorded season highs for points (85), free throws made (21), free throws attempted (30) and tied their season high for steals (9) against the Cougars.
UW held CSU to opponent season lows for points (38), field goal percentage (18.3), field goals made (11), 3-point attempts (12) and assists (4). GOOD TO KNOW Wisconsin leads the nation in total rebounds with 529. The Badgers also rank fourth in rebounds per game (48.1) and 21st in rebounding margin (+10.6).
Dec. 21 Evansville
7 p.m.
Dec. 28 at #13 Minnesota 8 p.m. Dec. 31 Purdue
2 p.m.
Jan. 3
at Penn State
6 p.m.
Jan. 7
at #16 Iowa
7 p.m.
Jan. 13
Indiana
2 p.m.
Jan. 17
#13 Minnesota
7 p.m.
Jan. 20
at Northwestern 3:30 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Friday’s game will be streamed live on BTN Plus ($) and can also be heard in the Madison area on 100.9FM or anywhere online with the iHeartRadio app. Live updates are also available on Twitter @BadgerWBB.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Wisconsin Takes Care of Business Against Chicago State
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgering: Carmen Backes ▶ WSJ: Career parths merge for Richardson, Mathiason
51
INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY SCHEDULE (8-7-3, 4-3-3) Home events in bold. All times CT. Nov. 9
#16 Minnesota
L, 2-3
Nov. 10 #16 Minnesota W, 3-1 Nov. 16 at #6 Ohio State L, 0-4 Nov. 17 at #6 Ohio State L, 1-3 Nov. 23 at #14 Michigan T, 1-1 OT Nov. 24 at #14 Michigan T, 2-2 OT Nov. 30 #6 Penn State
NEXT TIME Wisconsin rings in the New Year with a pair of non-conference contests against No. 8 Denver (8-4-2, 4-4-0-0 NCHC) on Jan. 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. CT. LAST TIME In their last action, the Badgers posted a Kohl Center sweep over Michigan State, winning a 5-3 game on Dec 7, and a 3-0 shutout on Dec. 8. GOOD TO KNOW Wisconsin's current six-game unbeaten streak (3-0-3) is
the longest under head coach Tony Granato, surpassing the five-game winning streak the Badgers posted Jan. 21 through Feb. 4, 2017.
OT
Dec. 1
#6 Penn State
Dec. 7
Michigan State W, 5-3
Dec. 8
Michigan State W, 3-0
Jan. 4
#8 Denver
7 p.m.
Jan. 5
#8 Denver
7 p.m.
Jan. 12
U.S. Under-18 Team 7 p.m.
Exhibition
Jan. 18
#6 Notre Dame
Jan. 20
vs. #6 Notre Dame 6:30 p.m.
United Center, Chicago
Jan. 25
at Minnesota
7 p.m.
Jan. 26
at Minnesota
7 p.m.
W, 8-5
8 p.m.
DAN SANGER
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Badger Hockey Digest – Dec. 14, 2018
T, 3-3
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Friday's game streams on BTN Plus ($) via BTN2Go.com, while Saturday's game airs on Fox Sports Wisconsin Plus and online at BTN2Go.com for cable and satellite subscribers. Both games air on 1310 WIBA, on the iHeartRadio app and at Badgersportsnetwork.com.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Dhooghe garners Big Ten First Star honor
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgers in the Bigs: NHL Update ▶ Badgers end 2018 on high note, sweep Michigan State
53