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Badgers get through adversity by taking on personality of coach Paul Chryst
Indianapolis — The next time Paul Chryst throws a sideline tantrum, one that results in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that hurts his team, will be the first, and last, such gaffe.
“I would be a little scared,” Wisconsin outside linebacker T.J. Watt said. “Luckily he is not that kind of guy.”
UW’s second-year head coach is imperturbable.
Chryst’s idea of an emotional outburst is to clap his hands and pump a fist after a big play.
UW has taken on the personality of its head coach, overcome several tense moments throughout a demanding schedule and moved
to within one victory of a Big Ten championship.
“If we were to see our coach start breaking down and losing it, I think there would just be a ripple effect,” redshirt junior wide receiver Jazz Peavy said. “I feel that’s not something the team wants to see or needs.
“It’s not good for the team. Being able to have a coach who is able to stay as calm as he is when
things are going bad and being able to approach you and talk to you in a calm manner is a great thing.”
UW (10-2) enters the Big Ten title game Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium at No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings and needing a victory over No. 7 Penn State (10-2) to at least secure an invitation to the Rose Bowl.
A victory over the Nittany Lions, coupled with losses by No. 4 Washington (11-1) on Friday night in the Pacific 12 title game and by No. 3 Clemson on Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, could push UW into the top four.
Although the back-toback, seven-point losses to Michigan and Ohio State mar UW’s record, the Badgers displayed composure and tenacity in victories over LSU, Georgia State, Nebraska, Northwestern and Minnesota.
UW gave away a 13-0 lead in a span of 1 minute 7 seconds late in the third quarter against LSU. UW responded with a 47-yard field goal by Rafael Gaglianone and D’Cota Dixon’s interception to pull off the 16-14 upset.
Two weeks later, UW appeared listless in the first half against Georgia State and needed three scoring drives directed by Alex Hornibrook to rally for a 23-17 victory.
According to the players, Chryst shared some harsh words in the locker room at halftime.
“Coach was hot,” senior cornerback Sojourn Shelton said. “We weren’t playing our best football.
“You play for coaches that yell. It doesn’t bother us. But when you see Coach Chryst yell, it is like: ‘We’re tripping. We’re doing something not right.’
“When he yells it is an attention-grabber.”
One week after grinding out a 17-9 victory at Iowa to improve their league record to 2-2, UW needed a touchdown run by Dare Ogunobwale and a fourth-down pass breakup by Dixon to outlast Nebraska in overtime, 23-17.
Sitting at 3-2 in the Big Ten heading to Northwestern, UW was in control against the Wildcats before allowing an 87yard touchdown drive late in the first half. That cut UW’s lead to three points, but the defense pitched a second-half shutout and UW pulled away for 21-7 victory.
After easy victories over Illinois and Purdue, UW wiped out a 10-point halftime against rival Minnesota to clinch the outright Big Ten West Division title with a 31-17 victory.
UW’s defense intercepted four passes and held the Gophers to 60 yards on 31 plays and the offense generated three touchdowns in the final 11:58.
According to several players, Chryst’s halftime demeanor was that of a coach whose team was
leading by 10 points. No chairs or expletives were tossed.
“Really good teams are led by the players in the locker room and are policed by the players,” Watt said.
“We know what we’re capable of. We know that first half wasn’t Wisconsin football at all.
“Nothing good is going to come from panicking. You can’t panic in big situations or big moments. These are all big games now. You have to stay cool, calm and collected.”
Like their coach.