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Chris Orr Will Start For Wisconsin Badgers Saturday Against Hawaii

By Jim Oxley

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Just three games into the 2015 college football season, one true freshman is making a big impact for the Wisconsin Badgers. After filling in nicely for Leon Jacobs after a targeting penalty and ejection sent the starter into the locker room last week, true freshman inside linebacker Chris Orr will start this Saturday when the Badgers take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Camp Randall Stadium.

READ ALSO: Chris Orr Has Breakout Game Against Troy

That’s according to Evan Flood of 247Sports, who broke the news on Twitter Wednesday.

Orr was thrust into action last weekend in the first quarter following Jacobs’ ejection, and performed admirably considering the circumstances. The young player led the team with 14 total tackles, notching 11 solo stops on the day. He also broke up a pass on the day.

Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers /

Wisconsin Badgers

After strong showings in limited time in the first two games this year, Orr’s big game against Troy leaves him second on the team in total tackles. He’s made 20 total stops, trailing only Joe Schobert. He has a tackle for a loss and a pair of pass breakups on the season, and has shown glimpses of the versatility needed to be a force in the pass and run game.

Orr will get the start on Saturday instead of Jacobs, the player he replaced last week.

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst said Monday that Orr has good instincts and while he definitely has room for improvement, the young player is learning quickly.

"“I think Chris, what I have liked, he continues to work to get better. He loves the game and I think one of his strengths is his instincts. There are certain areas that he can improve upon, and really every game he’s done some good things, just played a little bit in the Alabama game, played more against Miami, and certainly got more snaps, and I think that allowed him to get into the rhythm of the game. He’s got really good instincts. I thought he was doing a better job of attacking early, and it’s not atypical but was trying — he doesn’t want to be wrong. I think it took away some things, but I think he was trusting what he was seeing and playing downhill.”"

Orr’s physicality certainly plays in his favor, as the 6-0, 228 pound linebacker doesn’t resemble a true freshman. He’s big and plays the game fast, which is what Wisconsin needs on the interior of the defense.

Orr will pair with redshirt freshman inside linebacker T.J. Edwards to create an extremely young presence at the middle linebacker spot on Saturday. Chryst said he like the potential the two players have to grow into the position together.

"“Chris is young, same thing could be said with T.J. (Edwards); T.J. has good instincts, and I like the way they’re working, but they can still get a lot better and that’s encouraging.”"

We’ll see how the young duo plays in their second stretch of extended action together when the Badgers and Rainbow Warriors hit the field Saturday night.

Next: Badgers Defense Strong At Home To Open Season

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