Nose tackle Sagapolu questionable with left ankle injury
MADISON – Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel appears healthy and should be in the starting lineup when Wisconsin takes on host Northwestern on Saturday.
Senior nose tackle Olive Sagapolu’s status is less certain.
Sagapolu appeared to suffer a leftankle injury while being tackled after intercepting a pass in the second quarter of UW’s victory over Illinois.
He did not return after the interception and is listed as questionable on the team’s preliminary injury report for Northwestern.
“We’ll kind of see what happens as the week progresses,” UW coach Paul Chryst said Monday.
Van Ginkel, who has been gradually recovering from an ankle injury suffered against BYU, recorded a sack and six tackles in the victory over Illinois. He limped to the UW sideline after making a tackle on the final play of the third quarter and was held out the rest of the game.
Van Ginkel could play a key role against Northwestern, which passes on 58% of its plays. The Wildcats have allowed 18 sacks in seven games. Among Big Ten teams, only Michigan State (19) and Illinois (20) have allowed more.
UW was without safeties D’Cota Dixon, Scott Nelson and Reggie Pearson last week and all three remain questionable because of leg injuries.
Cornerback Faion Hicks was in uniform last week but did not play. He is also questionable because of a leg injury.
UW relied heavily on a 2-4-5 scheme against the Illini and likely will do so again this week against Northwestern.
Redshirt sophomore Eric Burrell and senior Evan Bondoc started at safety. Bondoc forced a fumble and intercepted a pass and Burrell forced a fumble.
Rachad Wildgoose, Deron Harrell and Madison Cone were the top three cornerbacks. Caesar Williams was the fourth cornerback, and freshman Alex Smith made his college debut and recorded a tackle.
Defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk is set to miss his third consecutive game since suffering a left-ankle injury against Nebraska.
Loudermilk was wearing a protective boot during practice on Thursday but did not wear the boot during the Illinois game.
Extra points
UW enters the week No. 4 nationally in rushing at 282.1 yards per game. The three teams ahead of UW share a trait. All are triple-option teams. Georgia Tech leads the nation in rushing (352.4 ypg), followed by Army (318.3) and Navy (310.1) . ...
Fullback Alec Ingold’s two-touchdown performance against Illinois – a 1yard run and a 19-yard reception – marked the third time he has scored a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same game . ...
UW’s Nov. 3 game against visiting Rutgers has been set for an 11 a.m. kickoff and is to be televised by BTN.