Deiter sees room for growth after opener
MADISON - Michael Deiter’s Wisconsin résumé now includes 28 starts – 16 at center, 11 at left guard and one at left tackle.
The redshirt junior made his debut at left tackle in the opener against Utah State.
Deiter’s self-scouting report: He isn’t ready to be named AllBig Ten but he isn’t worried about losing his starting spot.
“There was some good stuff and there was some bad stuff and a lot of stuff in between,” he said. “But I think it was OK.
“I’m definitely not saying that I can’t play there. But there was some technique stuff where I got a little careless and started grabbing and got out of sorts at times. That is what hurt my grade now and then.”
For example, UW’s first offensive play was a run by Bradrick Shaw. Deiter fired off the line of scrimmage but whiffed on a block and the defender looped around and tripped up Shaw, who still gained 5 yards.
Then on the next play, another run by Shaw, Deiter got his hands on his man and kept him engaged and away from the play for several seconds.
Later on Shaw’s 3-yard touchdown run, Deiter blocked down and drove his man into the end zone and onto his back.
“I think overall it was pretty good,” he said. “I just need to slow things down out there. Those were first-game reps. I knew there would be some technique (issues) now and then. But I think I’ll be able to correct it.”
UW’s depth chart for this week against Florida Atlantic lists redshirt freshman Cole
Van Lanen as the No. 2 left tackle. However, if Deiter had to miss time because of an injury the staff likely would move David Edwards from right tackle to the left side. Redshirt freshman Patrick
Kasl, who worked all spring with the No. 1 unit at right tackle, is No. 2 behind Edwards.
“I’ll say until I leave here,” Edwards said, “I’ll play wherever the team needs me to.”
Edwards worked at left tackle in the spring until he missed the final week because of an ankle injury.
Edwards gets work at left side during individual drills during practice. He believes the only adjustment he would have to make at left tackle would be communicating with the guard. He worked next to right guard
Beau Benzschawel for the last seven games last season and the opener last week.
“The reps I got last next to Beau and playing there all camp, I feel really confident,” he said. “You practice with Beau for so many weeks and so many games and then you get
switched over and it’s like: ‘What is this guy like on certain blocks? How does he communicate?’ ”
From the infirmary: UW officials on Thursday confirmed the Journal Sentinel’s report senior defensive end Chikwe
Obasih is out because of an injury suffered in practice on Wednesday.
Head coach Paul Chryst told reporters Thursday he is uncertain how long Obasih will be sidelined.
Shaw (right leg) is questionable. He rushed 18 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in the opener.
If Shaw is held out, UW should be able to rely on freshman Jonathan Taylor, redshirt junior Chris James and graduate transfer Rachid Ibrahim to share the load.
Hurricane watch: UW officials on Wednesday announced they are ready to provide assistance to Florida Atlantic if the team cannot return to South Florida because of Hurricane Irma. That assistance could include paying for an extended hotel stay and the use of UW’s practice facilities.
“It’s pretty cool that the university and athletic department is willing to do whatever we can to help out,” Chryst said.
Eight players on the UW roster are from Florida.
Extra points: Senior cornerback Derrick Tindal got one carry for 13 yards in the opener against Utah State. Is he prepared for more? “It’s up to them,” Tindal said. “I’m not going to ask for it but when they give it to me, I’m going to make the best of it.”… Senior linebacker Jack Cichy, out for the season because of a torn ACL in his right knee, hopes to be able to begin watching games from the sideline starting with the Big Ten opener Sept. 30 against Northwestern. For now, the medical staff wants Cichy to watch games from the coaches’ box.