Mistakes in all three phases costly for UW
Consecutive road losses have common elements
MADISON - Wisconsin’s road record under Paul Chryst stood at 14-1 entering this season.
That mark improved to 15-1 when the Badgers rallied to defeat Iowa on Sept. 22 in the teams’ Big Ten opener. Since then, the Badgers have suffered consecutive road losses – 38-13 to Michigan and 31-17 to Northwestern on Saturday.
Chryst’s team struggled in all three phases in both road losses. The offense couldn’t sustain drives, the defense yielded too many rushing yards and eventually wore down and the special teams committed costly penalties with the game still close in the second half.
As a result of the loss to Northwestern, the Badgers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) missed a chance to take over sole possession of first place in the Big Ten West Division. They also dropped out of the Amway coaches poll on Sunday.
Here are some observations from UW’s 14-point loss to the Wildcats.
No quarterback controversy
Expect redshirt junior Alex Hornibrook to be back in the starting lineup this week if he is fully recovered from a concussion that forced the staff to hold him out against Northwestern.
Jack Coan got the start Saturday, in his first appearance of the season, and was OK. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 158 yards, with one touchdown. He made several good throws, missed on several others and lost a fumble that led to a Northwestern touchdown.
More than anything, UW’s struggles showed a quarterback change won’t be the panacea for the offense.
Third-down woes
Since converting 50% of its thirddown chances in a victory over Nebraska on Oct. 6, UW has converted just 29% in the last three games (9 of 31). That includes 33.3% at Northwestern (4 of 12).
Against Northwestern, UW converted 2 of 4 third-and-short chances (1-3 yards), went 0 of 3 on short and medium (4-6 yards) and 2 of 5 on third and long (7 yards or more).
Connelly gives UW early chance
UW used a 1-5-5 look on defense at least two times early in the game, with either Christian Bell or Tyler Johnson as the fifth linebacker.
The first time came on Northwestern’s opening series and Ryan Connelly made a terrific play by tipping a ball intended for receiver Bennett Skowronek. Safety Evan Bondoc caught the deflection to give UW the ball at the Wildcats’ 29. That led to UW’s first touchdown.
Defense can’t hold early lead
Turnovers put UW’s defense in a precarious situation too often Saturday but the unit faltered and allowed a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive immediately after the Badgers took the 7-0 lead.
Northwestern converted three thirddown chances on the drive with runs.
UW was in the 1-5-5 on third and 4 and Northwestern deployed four receivers and one running back. Tailback Isaiah Bowser took a handoff from Clayton Thorson and swept to the left. Bell had a chance to stop Bowser for no gain but failed to make the tackle and Bowser gained 8 yards to the UW 37.
The Wildcats later faced third and 3 from the UW 18 and the Badgers deployed a 2-4-5 scheme. Bowser got the handoff again and this time hit the middle of the line. UW’s Matt Henningsen and Kayden Lyles did not hold the point and it appeared T.J. Edwards flowed too far right. Bowser gained 6 yards to the 12 and the Wildcats scored five plays later.
Taylor fumbles twice
Jonathan Taylor’s second fumble was the result of a defender punching the ball out at the end of a run.
The first fumble was the result of a botched handoff. It appeared Coan put the ball at the proper height but the tailback never got his arms closed on the ball and it fell to the ground. Northwestern recovered at the UW 15 and moved in for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.
Hicks loses sight of man, ball
Redshirt cornerback Faion Hicks has plenty of talent but his fourth-down penalty for pass interference in the second quarter was critical.
The Wildcats faced fourth and 2 from the UW 7 after Taylor’s first fumble and Hicks was lined up across from wide receiver Charlie Fessler. Fessler came in motion a few steps from right to left and then ran straight into the end zone. Hicks inexplicably let him run past as he stared into the backfield. He realized his mistake and turned to recover.
But when the ball arrived, short of the target, Hicks had his back to the line of scrimmage and gave Fessler a twohanded shove.
It was an easy call and gave Northwestern a first down at the 2. The Wildcats overcame a holding call and scored on Thorson’s 5-yard scramble.
Special teams gaffe No. 1
One play after UW’s defense held on third down on Northwestern’s second series of the third quarter, freshman linebacker Jack Sanborn was called for roughing the punter. That gave the Wildcats a first down at the UW 49, and they needed seven more plays to reach the end zone for a 21-10 lead.
The turnaround was similar to the third quarter at Michigan, when a penalty for roughing the snapper kept a drive alive and the Wolverines scored to turn a 13-7 lead into a 21-7 advantage.
Sanborn appeared to trip over the leg of a Northwestern blocker but he also appeared to be coming in hot and wasn’t able to avoid taking out the leg of the punter.
Special teams gaffe No. 2
Freshman fullback John Chenal was called for holding at the line of scrimmage on Jack Dunn’s punt return early in the fourth quarter.
Dunn fielded the punt at about the 18 and reached the 41 before being brought down.
The officials announced the penalty would be tacked on at the end of the kick but moved the ball from the point of the catch, to the UW 8.
Coan lost a fumble on the next play, Northwestern recovered at the 13 and drove for a touchdown and a 31-10 lead in just four plays.