Badgers’ defense seeks redemption
Inexperience, injuries proved costly in 2018
MADISON – The 2018 season was Wisconsin’s most disappointing in four seasons under coach Paul Chryst.
The Badgers failed to win at least 10 games for the first time and finished a middling 5-4 in the Big Ten, three games behind West Division champion Northwestern. They finished 8-5 overall thanks to a 35-3 demolition of Miami, but the victory came in the nondescript Pinstripe Bowl in New York.
UW’s scoring output declined by 4.1 points per game, partly because the quarterback play was inconsistent and the overall unit didn’t progress as the staff envisioned. Despite those shortcomings, the offense produced nearly as many touchdowns in 13 games last season (51) as it did in 14 games the previous season (53).
The return units once again provided too few big plays, with zero touchdowns and a long return of 34
yards.
The defense suffered the most significant drop-off from 2017, when UW finished 9-0 in the Big Ten and 13-1 overall, largely because of inexperience, injuries and a lack of consistent play-makers.
With UW set to hold its first practice of preseason camp Aug. 1, it is clear a return to form by Jim Leonhard’s defense could hold the key to the 2019 season.
“One, we have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot with stupid penalties,” senior linebacker Chris Orr said. “We also need the attitude of the Wisconsin defense back. The Wisconsin defense is a stingy physical defense. Like I said before, you’re going to feel it.” Chryst was more succinct.
“At the end you’d like to say it was a consistent group,” he said.
Unlike previous seasons, consistency proved to be elusive for the defense. Consider these numbers: Opponents scored 280 points against UW’s defense last season, an increase of 106 from 2017.
Opponents ran the ball more successfully and averaged 155.1 yards per game compared to just 98.4 in 2017, and improved their third-down conversion rate to 37% from 29%.
UW’s defense didn’t record a touchdown last season, a decrease of six (five interceptions, one fumble).
UW recorded just 19 sacks in 13 games last season, a dramatic decrease of 23. Six players had three sacks or more in 2017. Three players had at least three sacks last season.
UW intercepted 14 passes last season, a decrease of six.
The reasons for the regression were several.
Injuries to ends Garrett Rand (Achilles), Isaiahh Loudermilk (knee) and nose tackle Olive Sagapolu (arm) compromised UW’s front.
Rand missed the entire season. Loudermilk missed four games and wasn’t fully healthy until the bowl game. Sagapolu missed the final five games after going down in a 14-point loss at Northwestern, leaving freshman Bryson Williams to man his spot.
“Bryson got more play probably than you had hoped,” Chryst said.
A rotation of Loudermilk, Rand, Matt Henningsen and a perhaps fourth end would give the staff more options than it had in 2018.
Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel suffered an ankle injury in Week 3 against BYU and was limited for most of the season. Zack Baun, in his first season as a starter, came on as the season progressed and finished third on the team in tackles (63) and fourth in tackles for loss (71⁄2).
However, a lack of depth behind that duo resulted in fewer big plays from that key position.
“I think last year you saw when you’re not getting (production), our defense looks different,” Chryst said.
Baun is set to be the leader of that group this season, but the staff still must develop a second starter and at least one competent reserve.
“That is one of the questions for fall camp,” Chryst said. “Do we think we’ve got some guys? Yeah. A couple of them are young. So how quickly do they develop?”
Injuries and youth in the secondary were too much to overcome, though Leonhard gets everyone other than safety D’Cota Dixon back. Ten defensive backs started in the final eight games of the season, including six making their starting debut.
“Each one of them brings something,” Chryst said. “We do think they are talented.”
UW’s defensive staff goes into camp needing to get answers to several questions.
Can Rand and Loudermilk stay healthy? Will a dependable second option at nose tackle emerge? Will playmakers be found at outside linebacker? Will Orr and the other inside linebackers compensate for the departure of T.J. Edwards and Ryan Connelly? Will the pains endured by secondary last season translate into gains this season?
Orr, who was the No. 3 inside linebacker last season, is eager to help lead the unit in his final season.
“We want to make sure that we set the tone of every game,” he said. “People are going to remember that you played Wisconsin. You’re going to feel it the next morning. You’re going to feel it the next week.”