MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin has moved back into contention for a spot in the Big Ten championship game by regaining its identity as a team that likes to run opponents into submission.
Defense hasn’t been a problem for the Badgers this season.
But the Badgers still lost three of their first four games because its offense was producing more turnovers than touchdowns. When he was asked after a
“Right now I don’t want us to be known as an inconsistent group, and that’s what we have been,” Chryst said at the time. “Maybe that is our identity right now, and we’ve got to change that.”
They’ve changed that in a big way and carry a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s matchup with No. 9 Iowa (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten). Both the Badgers (4-3, 2-2) and Hawkeyes enter this game in control of their destiny in the
While the Badgers’ defense remains as strong as ever, the offense has surged by returning to Wisconsin’s smash-mouth roots.
“We just kind of talked as a group of players and said we’re done with taking the crap and decided just to draw a line in the sand and say, ‘We’re going to be physical from here on out. We’re going to be fast and physical and tough,’" offensive tackle Tyler Beach said. “That’s just kind of been our mindset. Instead of feeling things out on the first drive, we’re trying to come out there and hit guys in the mouth on the first drive.”
Chryst’s play calling has enabled his players to take that approach.
During its first four games, Wisconsin ran the ball 58.8% of the time and averaged 351.3 yards and 18.5 points. In Wisconsin’s three losses during that stretch, the Badgers ran on 53.9% of their snaps and averaged 295.7 yards and 13.3 points.
Wisconsin has run 78.7% of the time during this winning streak and has compiled 381 yards and 24.7 points per game.
The change was most evident Saturday as the
Wisconsin now is putting games away down the stretch rather than crumbling. After getting outscored 79-27 in the fourth quarter of their first six games, the Badgers outscored Purdue 10-0 in the final period.
“I think we’re starting to wear down some defenses in the second half,” Mellusi said. “I think the first couple of games, we didn’t finish the way we should have. Now we’re finishing games.”
Allen puts it more bluntly.
“I didn’t think Purdue was very interested in tackling in the first quarter,” Allen said. “When the fourth quarter came around, it was really apparent. Definitely, it takes the will out of a defense, I think, kind of constantly running through their face over and over and over. By the end of the game, they just don't really want to do anything anymore.”
Allen, a
Wisconsin’s focus on the run has addressed this offense’s biggest weakness by helping the Badgers take better care of the ball.
than Wisconsin, the Badgers have improved in that area lately. After committing 12 turnovers in their first four games, they’ve had just five during this winning streak.
By controlling the clock, making fewer mistakes and running over opponents, the Badgers finally are resembling a typical Wisconsin offense.
“Now it’s time to keep that consistency that we have and keep establishing that same identity, because it can be stripped away from you,” Beach said. “In order to be a successful team, you’ve got to keep that identity.”
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