Loudermilk, Neuville help UW in debuts

MADISON - Their statistical contributions were minimal.

Yet the return from injury of defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk and tight end Zander Neuville clearly lifted Wisconsin on Saturday against visiting New Mexico.

“I thought certainly it was great to get Isaiahh and Zander back,” UW coach Paul Chryst said after the 45-14 victory. “I thought Isaiahh was really good, especially for his first snaps.

“I thought we were a little more active up front. Isaiahh was certainly part of that. He’s one of those guys that lifted up our team a little bit when you see him out there.”

Loudermilk, who missed three games because of knee injuries last season, suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in the final week of spring practice and underwent surgery in May.

He entered the game on New Mexico’s fourth offensive play. Loudermilk was credited with only two tackles but he was able to defeat blocks and get penetration frequently.

“It was more than I thought,” Loudermilk said of his workload, “but I felt like I handled it well.

“My legs felt great. My knee felt amazing. I feel like I was able to go out there and play aggressively and try to live in the backfield.”

Neuville suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in the 2017 regular-season finale at Minnesota. He suffered an injury to his right hamstring in camp and was held out of the opener mostly to give him another week of rest.

Neuville finished with just one catch for 3 yards but he is UW’s best blocking tight end and his presence on the field was obvious.

Asked where the return of the 6-foot-5, 252-pound Neuville helped UW rush for 417 yards, left guard Michael Deiter said: “One-hundred percent.

“When you’ve got a sixth Olineman out there who can run around and catch balls it is always going to help.”

Van Lanen gets first start

Redshirt sophomore Cole Van Lanen got his first college start Saturday, replacing Jon Dietzen at left tackle.

Dietzen, who has battled ankle and hip injuries at UW, was given a day off.

“He was dressed and ready should he need to, but also thought, if we could not play him, it would probably be good for him,” Chryst said.

Security issues

Sophomore tailback Jonathan Taylor lost one fumble in the opener against Western Kentucky and lost a second on his 11th carry against New Mexico.

That left him with two lost fumbles in his first 29 carries this season, numbers that began trending upward in the second half of last season. Taylor fumbled three times in his first 149 carries as a freshman, an average of once every 49.7 carries. He fumbled five times in his last 150 carries, an average of once every 30.

“One of the first words that popped into my head was fundamentals,” Taylor said when asked about his lost fumble inside the New Mexico 10. “Just two hands on the ball. Squeeze it.”

Vanden Boom debuts

Redshirt freshman

quarterback Danny Vanden Boom replaced starter Alex Hornibrook late and threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to freshman wide receiver Taj Mustapha in the final minute.

Meanwhile, sophomore Jack Coan was held out for the second consecutive week. A first-year rule allows players to play up to four games and without losing a year of eligibility.

“Coach talked to me about two weeks back and said: ‘Late-game situation just be ready to rock,’ ” Vanden Boom said.

“My number was called today and I think my preparation helped.”

Extra points

Tyler Johnson, UW’s No. 3 outside linebacker, was knocked out with an apparent left knee injury. The severity of the injury remains unclear.

Senior fullback Alec Ingold scored on a 1-yard run. He has 12 rushing touchdowns at UW – in 85 attempts.

Redshirt junior Zack Baun recorded six tackles, matching the mark he set in 2016 against Ohio State.

JR Radcliffe contributed to this report.