UPON FURTHER REVIEW: WISCONSIN 24, MICHIGAN 10
MADISON – Jeff Potrykus reviews Wisconsin’s 24-10 victory over Michigan Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
OFFENSE (B)
Quarterback Alex Hornibrook was too often under duress from a ferocious rush. The running game was stuffed early. And Hornibrook threw an interception in the third quarter that led to a Michigan field goal, though linebacker Devin Bush dropped deep into coverage and made a nice play on the ball.
Then Hornibrook made several of the prettiest, grittiest throws you’ll see a college quarterback make in leading UW down the field for consecutive touchdowns. The 24-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Taylor, on third and 16, was impressive because Hornibrook saw a defensive back turn to the inside to help double tight end Troy Fumagalli, who was running a vertical route down the middle of the field. Hornibrook immediately fired the ball to Taylor, who was running a vertical route down the left hash. The ball was perfectly placed between two defenders for the score.
The blocks of center Tyler Biadasz and right guard Beau Benzschawel on Kendric Pryor’s 32-yard touchdown run were easy to see. But fullback Austin Ramesh, lined up on a wing to the left, got out on Khaleke Hudson and sealed him to the inside to help create a running lane for Pryor.
Ramesh’s blocking has been superb all season.
Danny Davis, Taylor and Pryor have talked about the need to make plays in the absence of Quintez Cephus. They have done that in each of the last two games and continue to grow. Rachind Ibrahim slid over from the right side to pick up a blitzing linebacker on Hornibrook’s 51-yard strike to Taylor on UW’s first touchdown drive. Bravo.
DEFENSE (A-minus)
Michigan lacks the ability to make game-changing plays in the passing game and has had to rely on a power running game to move the ball.
UW took away the run and after giving up a few big pass plays early completely shut down the Wolverines’ offense. Michigan suffered a blow when quarterback Brandon Peters was knocked out late in the third quarter but UW’s defense had already started to suffocate the Wolverines.
UW coach Paul Chryst said afterward just about every defender who saw time made plays and he was right. Linebackers T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connelly were tremendous and combined for 21 tackles. The down linemen kept blockers off the linebackers.
UW’s pass rush was inconsistent but Garret Dooley and Andrew Van Ginkel had big hits in the backfield.
The secondary had a couple lapses but gradually tightened the screws in the second half.
SPECIAL TEAMS (B)
Nick Nelson appears unsure about fielding punts that come up short but he made a heads-up play to scoop the ball when he had room and then followed blockers for a 50-yard touchdown. Anthony Lotti hit several solid punts and Zach Hintze continues to be a weapon on kickoffs.
COACHING (A)
UW’s staff appeared to play the percentages early and rely on its defense particularly when the offense got the ball in poor field position. Horibrook’s ability to hit throws down the field allowed the running game to begin doing damage.
Bottom line: UW is 11-0 and this is a mentally tough team that has overcome injuries and turnovers that put the defense in disadvantageous situations. The players have followed the lead of Chryst and have blocked out all talk about being unbeaten and making a playoff run.