Wisconsin Badger Special Teams: B-
Sort of a default grade here. Special teams didn’t do anything, well, special. But it also didn’t really hurt the cause in any way.
However, it gets the minus, because it nearly did. For the second straight game, AJ Taylor fumbled on a return. Fortunately, for the second straight game, the Badgers recovered the fumble.
He did put it on the ground immediately after Nebraska drew level at 17-17 on the interception return. So not only was it a fumble, it was a terrible point of the game that easily could have cost Wisconsin big.
Wisconsin only had one kick return (25 yards) and one punt return (for seven yards). Nebraska had two punt returns (10 yards) and two kick returns (35 total yards) so the coverage units did fine.
The Cornhusker punter Caleb Lightbourn had himself a game. He boomed five punts for 237 yards (47.4 yard average). His Wisconsin counterpart Anthony Lotti did the job fine, with his four punts tallying 169 yards (42.3 yard average).
Wisconsin kicker Rafael Gaglianone had just one field goal attempt and he was true from 37 yards away.
Next: Key Plays Wisconsin and Nebraska
It would be nice if Wisconsin special teams busted a big return or helped pin Nebraska. But really given the fantastic defense, the special teams main job is to not hurt the cause too badly.
So we’ll give them an honest B- for its efforts on Saturday, the slight downgrade courtesy of Taylor’s fumble.