Badgers, Cornhuskers are similar programs
MADISON – Wisconsin’s players are eager to renew their young but intense rivalry with Nebraska.
“I think we’re two similar programs, so when we play it just seems like a fistfight,” redshirt junior left tackle Michael
Deiter said Monday after practice. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Deiter, all 6 foot 6 and 328 pounds of him, was speaking figuratively, of course.
Yet the sentiment about the rivalry was accurate.
Nebraska leads the overall series, 7-4. But UW holds a 5-1 edge since 2011, when the Cornhuskers joined the Big Ten.
That run started with Russell Wilson and his teammates welcoming Nebraska to the Big Ten with a 48-17 thumping in Madison.
“It was a crazy game,” said redshirt senior defensive end
Alec James, who watched the game on TV. “It was fun to watch.”
UW handed the Cornhuskers an embarrassing 70-31 loss in the 2012 Big Ten title game, and Melvin Gordon rushed for 408 yards in a 59-24 2014 victory in Madison. UW needed a late field goal to win, 23-21, in Lincoln in 2015 and held on in overtime, 23-17, last season.
The 2014 game marked the first season the teams played for the Freedom Trophy.
“That kind of set a good example for us,” said James, a redshirt freshman in 2014.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday and the Huskers team, which won the 1997 national title, will be honored during the game.
Nebraska has won 20 consecutive night games at Memorial Stadium. That streak includes a 27-24 victory over UW in the 2012 Big Ten opener. The Cornhuskers overcame deficits of 20-3 and 27-10.
“Lincoln is one of the hardest places to play in the entire nation,” redshirt senior outside linebacker Garret Dooley said. “They’re filled up a half-hour before the game even starts. They’re sold out every single game. Everyone knows that.”
From the infirmary: Tight end Troy Fumagalli (left leg), tailback Taiwan Deal (right ankle) and kickoff specialist P.J.
Rosowski (right leg) are listed as questionable this week.
Fumagalli, who leads UW in catches (15) and receiving yards (236) and is tied for the team lead in touchdown catches (three), was held out last week against Northwestern.
Deal, who has not played this season because of an ankle
injury suffered in camp, participated in warm-ups last week.
Left guard Jon Dietzen (ankle), who returned to the lineup last week after being held out at BYU, was not listed on the injury report.
He started against Northwestern .
Upon further review: After studying video of the Northwestern game, UW officials adjusted the stats for Dooley.
Dooley was initially credited with three sacks and 4 1⁄2 tackles for a loss. His numbers are now 3 1⁄2 sacks and five tackles for a loss.
UW officials found that Dooley should have been given onehalf sack, along with end Isaiahh Loudermilk, for a tackle with 10 minutes, 7 seconds left in the third quarter.
Dooley’s five tackles for a loss is the No. 5 mark for a single game in program history.
Alex Lewis holds the record with 6 1⁄2 in a 26-23 loss to Purdue on Oct. 18, 2003.
Only two FBS players have had more sacks in a game this season. Justin Lawler of SMU had four sacks Saturday against UConn and Austin Bryant of Clemson had four on Sept. 9 against Auburn. Extra points: Senior safety
Natrell Jamerson on Monday was named Big Ten defensive player of the week for his play in the victory over Northwestern. He intercepted two passes, returning one 36 yards for a touchdown, and recorded six tackles…
UW’s Oct. 14 game against visiting Purdue will begin at 2:30 p.m. and be televised by BTN.