Cornerbacks seek redemption
Penn State got best of Figaro, Jamerson
Arlington, Texas — Wisconsin’s Lubern Figaro understands he can’t wipe his last performance from the record books.
The junior, generally solid as UW’s top nickel cornerback for most of the season, struggled in the Big Ten title game against Penn State and allowed touchdown passes of 33 and 40 yards in UW’s 38-31 loss.
“You’ve got to move on,” Figaro said as UW continued preparing to meet Western Michigan in the 2016 Cotton Bowl at noon Monday. “As a corner, that is what happens. That is the risk you take.
“You’re either going to win or you’re going to lose. You’re going to be a playmaker or you’re not.”
UW (10-3) surrendered 251 passing yards and three touchdowns in the last 31 minutes in blowing a 28-7 lead over the Nittany Lions.
Figaro was beaten by tight end Mike Gesicki for a 33-yard score in the opening quarter with UW holding a 14-0 lead.
He was beaten by Saeed Blacknall for a 40-yard touchdown with just 58 seconds left in the first half and UW leading, 28-7.
Figaro appeared to be in position to stop both scores.
He was deeper than Gesicki heading down the sideline when the ball was in the air. However, rather than angling toward the boundary and forcing Gesicki to run up his back, Figaro left the tight end enough room to make up the ground and go up high to make the catch.
“The first one I was in good position,” he said. “I just didn’t
finish it the right way.”
The touchdown pass to Blacknall was on a comeback route on first down from the UW 40.
Penn State had attacked Figaro with that route earlier, and he anticipated the Nittany Lions would come back to that route. The mistake he made, however, was going for the big play.
“They had run the same route on me like three or four times, so I knew that play was coming,” he said. “I said: ‘The next time they throw it, I’m going to jump outside and pick it off.’
“But the quarterback made a good throw inside.” Blacknall made the catch at the 31, with Figaro flying past to the outside. Blacknall turned and had a clear path to the end zone.
Figaro took over as the nickel cornerback after Natrell Jamerson suffered a broken leg in Week 2 against Akron. Jamerson missed six games before returning on special teams at Northwestern. He and Figaro split time on defense in the Big Ten title game, and Jamerson was beaten on a 70-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Senior cornerback Sojourn Shelton has talked to Jamerson and Figaro about their play in the title game.
“I think that is my responsibility as a senior to kind of just be there for them and tell them to be confident,” he said. “I told Trell, I told Lubern: ‘Trust me, I’ve given up my fair share of big plays in big games. It’s the position you play. You’ve got to be able to move forward. It can only make you or break you.’ ”
Western Michigan (13-0) has the personnel to target Figaro and Jamerson — as Penn State did.
Quarterback Zach Terrell has 32 touchdown passes in 13 games. Senior wide receivers Corey Davis (91 catches, 1,427 yards, 18 TDs), Michael Henry (61-760-4) and Carrington Thompson (38605-6) have combined for 190 catches, 2,792 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Terrell and Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck raved about UW’s front seven. Given the opportunity to talk about the struggles of the secondary against Penn State, Terrell declined.
“Here is the deal,” he said. “That is such a small sample size. Over the course of the season, they have been so stout, all across the board.
“We’ve watched every game. Obviously, I’ve watched the Big Ten championship.
“Like I said, we have our hands full. They are a very, very elite defense. They are one of the best defenses in the country . ... I don’t go into the game expecting them to make mistakes like that. I expect them to be locked in.”