Badgers benefit from offensive lineman Erdmann’s versatility

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Jason Erdmann felt as if he was cramming for a final exam.

Knowing tight end Zander Neuville might not be available to play against Iowa because of an ankle injury suffered the previous week, the Wisconsin coaches designed a jumbo package featuring two extra offensive linemen.

Erdmann, a redshirt junior who can play guard or center, and reserve tackle Logan Bruss, a redshirt freshman, were on call.

Erdmann also had to prepare to fill in at left guard if Michael Deiter went down and at center if Tyler Biadasz went own.

“It was a struggle,” Erdmann said after UW’s 28-17 victory over the Hawkeyes. “At the beginning of the week, I was juggling tight end stuff, center and guard.

“At the beginning of the week, I had to think to myself: ‘What position am I at? What’s the play?’ “It wasn’t right away but I got there.” Erdmann and Bruss were used separately and in tandem to help UW run the ball at Iowa’s stout front.

Then after Biadasz was injured on UW’s first offensive series of the third quarter, Erdmann took over at center. He was at center for UW’s final five series, three of which ended in touchdowns.

“Going into the game I knew if Tyler went down or Deiter I would have to switch,” Erdmann said. “I just never knew when.

“When I was at (center) I didn’t have to worry.”

Van Ginkel, Neuville inspire

Neuville and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, essential pieces to UW’s success, spent most of the week leading to the Iowa game in the training room trying to overcome leg/ankle injuries.

“I was in the training room all week just to get ready to play this game,” Van Ginkel said. “I was limited. I could do certain stuff. But certain movements it hurt. Coach didn’t want to just throw me in and injure it worse.

“I’m just doing what I can to help this team win.”

Van Ginkel and Neuville, UW’s best blocking tight end, played sparingly in the victory over Iowa.

Yet their determination left an impression with their teammates.

“Everyone on this field today really proved that we are gritty and we want to write our story,” fullback Alec Ingold said. “It is a game of resilience and those guys set the tone.”

Tailback by committee

Although Jonathan Taylor got 25 of the 41 carries by UW running backs, he had plenty of help against the Hawkeyes.

Taylor finished with 113 yards, the 14th time in 18 college games he has broken the 100-yard mark.

But tailback Taiwan Deal ran over and through tacklers and added 42 yards on seven carries. Garrett Groshek added 33 yards on eight carries and Ingold ripped off a 33-yard touchdown run at the end of the game and finished with 37 yards on two carries.

The quartet combined for 225 yards on 41 carries, an average of 5.5 yards per carry.

Deal’s power running style helps wear defenses down and Groshek’s versatility, particularly on third downs, is critical.

Look for the staff to continue to use Deal and Groshek in certain roles to help the offense and ease Taylor’s workload.

Ferguson bounces back

With UW trailing, 17-14, and facing third and 3 from the Iowa 44 in the fourth quarter, tight end Jake Ferguson dropped what should have been an easy conversion.

UW punted.

Ferguson, a redshirt freshman, regrouped and had a 12-yard catch to the Iowa 17 on UW’s 88-yard touchdown drive. He finished with 58 yards on four catches.

“It is really tough,” he said of the drop. “That one was rough for me but I had a lot of support from the guys.”