Sagapolu getting UW defensive line ready
Progress continues for Lyles, Henningsen
MADISON - Olive Sagapolu has been a rock on the University of Wisconsin’s defensive line at nose tackle this season.
He’s also had to help break in redshirt freshment Kayden Lyles and Matt Henningsen at defensive end.
That’s an important job this week with Isaiahh Loudermilk questionable against Michigan on Saturday with an ankle injury.
“Overall, they’re kind of understanding the scheme a lot more,” said Sagapolu, a senior who has played 41 games for the Badgers. “They are understanding the little details that it takes in order to be the best we can be.
“They’re watching the film extra. They’re talking with the coaches extra on the side. Trying to make sure the mental aspect of the whole thing is up to par but still working on the physical side every day.”
Lyles has started all five games and has made six tackles and a fumble recovery. Henningsen played a lot in the opener against Western Kentucky (four tackles) while Loudermilk worked his way back from a knee injury, but he has been on the field sporadically since then.
“I’ve seen them progress since the first week,” Sagapolu said Wednesday. “It’s good to see and we’re excited to get out there.”
The senior knows the defensive line will need to be at its best against a potent Wolverines offense.
Michigan is averaging 199.8 rushing yards per game and 220.8 yards in the air.
“They love to run the ball,” Sagapolu said. “That’s something that we love to do, try to stop the run up front. Mainly just trying to do what we can to stop the run at first and then try to work our way to the pass.”
Sagapolu has 14 tackles this season, including two for losses, and he recovered a fumble against Nebraska.
The 6-foot-2, 342-pounder will try to keep doing against Michigan what he has been successful at all season: soaking up multiple blockers to free linebackers.
“For me up front, it’s just eating up two (blockers),” Sagapolu said. “If I get a one-on-one, try to do the best I can and just dominate that one-on-one. Just try to have fun.”
UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard doesn’t know if he will have Loudermilk and several other injured starters available against Michigan.
“It’s still early in the week,” Leonhard said. “We’re still pushing them, just trying to just find out.
“Obviously, injuries, a lot of it goes with rest. You’ve got to get them healthy that way. But you have to try to test them throughout the week.
“In my mind it’s little too early to really say about anybody, health-wise, but they’ve all been able to do a little bit. We’re going to smart and a lot of them are probably game-time-type decisions.”
Waiting game: UW safety Scott Nelson will sit out the first half against Michigan after getting ejected for targeting on his hit against Nebraska receiver Maurice Washington in the third quarter.
“I saw a couple flags come in,” Nelson said. “And then I kind of got up and watched the replay.
“It was helmet-to-helmet. It wasn’t my intention to hit him helmet-to-helmet. If I wanted to spear him and hit him helmet-to-helmet, it might have looked a little different.”
The redshirt freshman will have to stay in the locker room through the first half. He didn’t quite know how he was going to spend that time.
“I found that out that the other day,” he said. “I really don’t know. I’ll probably talk to (former UW linebacker Jack) Cichy to see what he did in the (2015) Holiday Bowl to get an idea from him. And then talk to Coach Leonhard and the strength coaches.”