Wisconsin Football: 3 Quick Reactions from Wisconsin Iowa
Wisconsin Badger football clinches the Big Ten West with a 38-14 win over Iowa on Saturday in Madison.
You’ll forgive me if it sounds like I’m repeating myself. But Wisconsin rode a suffocating defensive performance to a harder-than-it-needed-to-be win and stay undefeated.
The Badgers improved to 10-0 (7-0) by beating Iowa at Camp Randall Stadium. With the win, Bucky clinches yet another appearance in the Big Ten title game.
So what should we takeaway from the Wisconsin win over Iowa? Here is our quick list of our primary reactions to the victory.
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1. Alex Hornibrook is consistently inconsistent
As you well know, the Iowa Hawkeyes’ only points on the day came on a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns by star CB Josh Jackson.
The first was a softly thrown out route that had too much air and and not enough distance. The second pick6 was a high throw on a screen pass and Jackson found the deflection.
Last week it took one play. Today it took a whole 1:30 for a pick six...The @HawkeyeFootball defense must be slipping. 😉
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 11, 2017
Josh Jackson ➡️🏠 pic.twitter.com/kWwjNyG83p
In between he threw an interception on a deep ball that was a nice play by the defensive back. It worked like a long punt so not as cataclysmic as his other two interceptions.
After the opening pick6 he Hornibrook responded by guiding a 14-play 75 yard drive. For the game he was 11/18 for 135 yards and two touchdowns along with three picks. Not a glamorous day by any stretch.
He can be a competent game manager but the interceptions have to stop.
2. No individual replaces Quintez Cephus
Kendric Pryor had a strong first two quarters scoring a pair of touchdowns. Interestingly, those scores were his only touches for the day. A 25-yard end around to the house and rose up for a 12-yard touchdown toss from Hornibrook.
Good Kid, Mad City. 😏
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 11, 2017
Second TD of the game for Kendric Pryor, and @BadgerFootball takes a two-score lead into half: pic.twitter.com/xNJRwn07Gd
Danny Davis caught four passes for 74 yards and drew a soft penalty flag for DPI. Troy Fumagalli added three for just 21. AJ Taylor caught a touchdown pass for his only reception. Jonathan Taylor took a screen for 14 yards and Zander Neuville caught at 3rd down throw to move the chains.
Related Story: Wisconsin Football Loses Top WR Quintez Cephus
Ultimately, there is no one big weapon alone to replace the injured Quintez Cephus. It looks like week-to-week they’ll be a different receiving leader.
3. I dare you to name a better defense in college football
Yeah, I get the Big Ten East isn’t exactly the 1927 New York Yankees. But it’s hard to think of what more the Wisconsin defense could have done.
This game may have reached a *tipping* point with this @BadgerFootball INT.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 11, 2017
...We'll see ourselves out. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/4XOcCin1ai
That was basically a perfect performance. Wisconsin held the Iowa offense scoreless. Here are the Hawkeyes offensive statistics.
- 5 First Downs
- 66 Total Yards (41 passing, 25 rushing)
- 3 Turnovers
- 0/13 on 3rd down
- 21:33 time of possession
- 0 Points
Normally you turn it over four times including allowing two defensive touchdowns and you lose. Or the game is at least competitive at a minimum. But not against this Wisconsin defense. Injuries or not.
To paraphrase Bill Clinton's quote...
— Badger of Honor (@BadgerOfHonorFS) November 11, 2017
"There's nothing wrong with the @BadgerFootball offense that can't be cured with what's right with the Wisconsin defense."
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This Wisconsin defense is the real deal. If the offense ever gets out of its own way the Badgers can beat anyone. Credit Jim Leonhard and his entire staff for one of the greatest defensive performance in Badger history.