UPON FURTHER REVIEW
MADISON – Jeff Potrykus reviews Wisconsin’s 33-24 victory over Northwestern Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. OFFENSE (C) UW’s first-half offensive funk began on the Badgers’ first play from scrimmage when wide receiver Jazz Peavy caught a pass near the left sideline. Peavy had the ball in his right arm as he turned to head up the field but his arm moved away from his body enough to allow cornerback Trae Williams to force a fumble he recovered at the UW 24. A minor detail resulted in a major momentum swing. That was Peavy’s only catch of the game. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook in the first half appeared to either hold onto the ball a beat too long, fail to feel pressure or fail to set his feet before throwing. The pass protection improved in the second half and Hornibrook regained his rhythm and comfort level in the pocket. UW’s formation featured an overloaded left side on freshman Jonathan Taylor’s 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Taylor said he saw the linebackers flowing to that side, however, and cut back toward the right. He got through the line and kept his balance long enough to dive across the goal line. Some backs have that feel. Others don’t. Did UW survive without senior tight end Troy Fumagalli, held out because of a minor leg injury? Yes. Will the Badgers need Fumagalli this week against Nebraska and beyond? Absolutely. He is a difference-maker, and his absence was obvious. DEFENSE (A-minus) The members of the defense won’t have to review the video to realize missed tackles led to extra yards and more first downs and scoring chances for Northwestern. Safety D’Cota Dixon, linebacker T.J. Edwards, cornerback Derrick Tindal and end Conor Sheehy all failed to make at least one play they usually make. That should be the anomaly for this unit, which still controlled the flow of the game for most of the afternoon. Dixon missed a sack on quarterback Clayton Thorson, who used a stiff-arm to escape. Dixon got the last laugh, however, when he brought Thorson down in the end zone for a safety to secure the victory. In case you haven’t noticed, senior Natrell Jamerson appears to be growing into a productive safety after switching from cornerback in the spring. His ability to attack the line of scrimmage on running plays is impressive and his range helps in coverage. He followed the eyes of Thorson on his second interception and stepped in front of the receiver to make the grab. Then he showed speed and elusiveness to cover 36 yards to the end zone. To note that UW’s front seven controlled the line of scrimmage would be an understatement. Outside linebacker Leon Jacobs was unblocked when he dropped tailback Justin Jackson for a 1-yard loss on third and 1 from the UW 15 in the opening quarter. Northwestern’s offensive line is experienced but isn’t physically intimidating. That was evident as UW linemen and linebackers were able to collapse the pocket with power moves and corral Thorson. SPECIAL TEAMS (A-minus) Zach Hintze, filling in for injured starter P.J. Rosowski, recorded six touchbacks on six kickoffs against the Wildcats. Can’t do better than that. The redshirt sophomore from Fond du Lac has 14 touchbacks on 19 kicks (73.7%). Anthony Lotti placed three of his six punts inside the 20 – at the Wildcats’ 7, 16 and 2. He boomed a 52-yarder from his end zone in the fourth quarter with UW holding a 31-17 lead. The one punt he probably wants back is a 33-yarder in the second quarter, which gave the Wildcats the ball at the UW 44. Northwestern drove for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead. COACHING (B-plus) UW’s first offensive play, a quick pass into the flat, appeared designed to get the quarterback and senior wide receiver into rhythm early. The plan failed when Peavy didn’t protect the football. Defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard appeared to vary the number of rushers and the angles from which they came. That led to confusion on Northwestern’s offensive line and contributed to the eight sacks.