Wisconsin football’s normally stout red zone defense didn’t live up to its own lofty standards on Saturday against the Northwestern Wildcats
The Badger defense is one of the best unit’s in the entire country. But on Saturday, Wisconsin’s defense struggled in the red zone.
In fact, Northwestern was nearly perfect in the red zone. The Wildcats scored on every trip kicking one field goal and scoring three touchdowns.
Wisconsin’s red zone defense is ranked 29th in the country. The Badgers are allowing scores on 75 percent of opponent’s red zone visits.
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The good news, is Wisconsin has only allowed 12 total red zone trips in its four games. Of those dozen, opponents have kicked four field goals and scored five touchdowns.
Red Zone Trip #1
On Saturday, Northwestern had an early red zone trip after Jazz Peavy fumbled on Wisconsin’s first snap. The Wildcats ran twice and completed one short pass failing to pick up a first down. So job done on the first red zone trip.
However, the Badger defense wasn’t as strong in the subsequent three opportunities. The Wildcats were a perfect 3/3 scoring touchdowns on its other red zone visits.
Red Zone Trip #2
In the second quarter, the Wildcats got to the red zone courtesy of Wisconsin jumping offside. That moved a 2nd-and-10 from the UW 23 to 2nd-and-5 from the 18. A holding call back them up to the 28.
The Badgers forced a check down but TJ Edwards went for the truck stick hit and didn’t wrap up. Northwestern’s Garrett Dickerson gained 12 yards what should have been no gain. Another missed tackle on 3rd-and-4 gave the Wildcats a fresh set.
A pass over the middle, run, and play action to a TE got the touchdown.
Red Zone Trip #3
This one was a little simpler. A decent pass play got Northwestern into the red zone. Nick Nelson then committed a pretty clear defensive pass interference that put the Wildcats on the door step. They punched it in from there.
Red Zone Trip #4
Wisconsin had Northwestern in a 3rd-and-10 but the Wildcats hit on a long slant play. Garrett Dooley, Edwards, and Derrick Tindal missed tackles which got Northwestern off the hook. The Wildcats kept the ball in the air and quickly scored
Takeaway
Wisconsin’s defense struggled in red zone defense on Saturday. But that doesn’t indicate a serious long-term problem. Some things are easy to control. Namely, secure tackling and no penalties. But Northwestern had some success throwing over the middle. The Badger defense can counter this by blitzing up the middle. Generating pressure that way can force the quarterback of his spot and out of the pocket.
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That also cuts down the field and gives the secondary less turf to cover. In addition, pressure through the A gaps cause a little traffic making it difficult to throw centrally. Wisconsin’s secondary is good enough they can afford to send an extra linebacker after the quarterback without exposing the defensive backfield.