Ohio State’s receivers will test UW’s secondary
MADISON – Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard knows attempting to take away Ohio State's No. 1 receiving threat would be a futile endeavor.
Not because Leonhard doesn't trust the talent in his secondary, but rather because the Buckeyes don't feature one receiver.
K.J. Hill leads the team in catches (29).
Chris Olave leads the team in touchdown catches (six).
Victor Binjimen leads the team in receiving yards (355).
“One thing that stuck out on film is that a lot of their guys are fast,” UW cornerback Faion Hicks said. “Everybody can run. And it's not just one guy that is getting the ball. Everybody in that receiving corps is getting the ball. Each one of them is a threat.”
The top five wide receivers all have at least 13 catches and 129 yards and have combined for 18 touchdowns.
“We're going to challenge them,” Hicks said, “and make the quarterback make good throws so if they're going to beat us they are going to have to make spectacular catches.”
UW's secondary wasn't at its best in the 24-23 loss to Illinois and the Illini's wide receivers aren't in the same league as Ohio State's.
Brandon Peters hit Donny Navarro for a 48-yard score against cornerback Rachad Wildgoose and safety Eric Burrell and later found Josh Imatorbhebhe for a 29-yard touchdown against tight coverage by Wildgoose.
“That was a tough one,” Hicks said of the score against Wildgoose. “He was in good position and the receiver makes a good catch. As a DB that is going to happen. The guys who don't get beat are guys that don't play.”
Peters also hit Imatorbhebhe for an apparent 73-yard touchdown against Donte Burton but the play was wiped out by penalty.
“You're always concerned about big plays,” Leonhard said. “That is the fastest way to lose a game…We feel we can play better. You don't panic. You know that there's going to be talented receivers that if they can get one on one, they like their match-ups just like we like them.
“We know what we have to do to correct the mistakes.”
No reason to panic
The overall reaction of UW's players to the loss at Illinois was interesting to measure. Although they were obviously disappointed in their performance, there were no signs of public rants or tantrums either immediately after the game or again Monday when several players met with reporters.
“Obviously, it stings,” Burrell explained. “You're going to be upset about it. But there's nothing you can do. It's going to be on your record for the rest of your life.
“What are you going to do? Dwell (on) it? Pout? Get upset? That won't change anything.”
From the infirmary
Joe Rudoph, UW's offensive coordinator/line coach, acknowledged this week he wanted to play guard Jason Erdmann against Illinois but felt it wasn't in the best interest of the fifthyear senior.
“He has been banged up and his play has fallen off a little bit and I know that he can be a great player,” Rudolph said. “To continue on that road, I didn't think was the smartest thing in the world.”
Rudolph hopes fullback Mason Stokke (concussion) will be cleared to play.
Stokke has been held out of the last two games, leaving UW with sophomore John Chenal as the only experienced fullback. Freshman Quan Easterling made his college debut last week.
“Mason has been really good,” Rudolph said. “John Chenal does a really good job but Mase sees the game really well. He does a great job or us.
“Quan had to play as a true freshman. That's just hard. He was great. He stepped up and there was no flinch in wanting to do everything just right.
“But if we get Mase back that would be great.”