Wisconsin’s Defense Continues to Impress

Wisconsin’s defense dominated the Iowa Hawkeyes all game long on Saturday and never gave the Hawkeyes much hope of the upset.

Well that was fun. After Quarterback Alex Hornibrook’s pick six on the Badgers’ initial drive, many Wisconsin fans felt they were in for a long day.

But Wisconsin’s defense led the way once more, extending the Badgers’ record to 10-0 and clinching their second consecutive Big Ten West Division title. It was a good day.

Against an Iowa team that embarrassed a stout Ohio State defense the prior week, Wisconsin pitched a defensive shutout. Iowa only scored on two defensive touchdowns and managed 66 yards of total offense.

Wisconsin Badgers Football

Turnovers continue to plague this Wisconsin offense. Hornibrook threw two pick sixes and another interception.

The uber-talented Jonathan Taylor’s fumbling woes continued as well. He fumbled twice, losing one of them.

It was Taylor’s fourth fumble this season and serves as a conspicuous black spot on an otherwise dazzling true freshman campaign.

The Badgers committed four turnovers in all and recovered another two of their own fumbles. Taylor did rush for 157 yards on 29 carries.

But it was Wisconsin’s defense that played hero in their first win versus a then-ranked opponent this season.

Senior Linebacker Leon Jacobs led the impressive defensive performance, recovering two fumbles, including one for a crucial touchdown in the 3rd quarter that extended the Badgers’ lead to 24-14. Jacobs further chipped in with a sack and another tackle for a loss.

That's three (✌️+☝️) defensive touchdowns in this contest, if you're counting at home.

And @BadgerFootball has a 10-point lead again: pic.twitter.com/fc8qerA5pw
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 11, 2017

The Badgers boast enviable depth at the linebacker position. Jacobs is clearly a leader on the defensive front, but so are linebackers Ryan Connelly and TJ Edwards, who combined for 14 tackles, including 3.5 sacks plus tackles for losses on the day.

This is despite the fact that star linebacker Jack Cichy was lost for the season before the regular season even began.

In addition, Chris Orr, himself a bulwark at the position, missed the game with a left leg injury. It is not clear when Orr will return.

Injuries have plagued this team all season. Besides Cichy and Orr, critical players like safety D’Cota Dixon, tight end Troy Fumagalli, wide receiver Danny Davis, running backs Chris James, Bradrick Shaw, and Taiwan Deal, and fullback Austin Ramesh have all missed time.

Jonathan Taylor has missed parts of games as well. Now Wisconsin’s top receiving threat, Quintez Cephus, will miss the remainder of the season.

But thanks to first year Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonard’s stellar and seemingly bottomless talent on the Wisconsin’s defense depth chart, Wisconsin is 10-0. Bucky is very much in the College Football Playoff conversation.

Paul Chryst improves to 31-6 as Wisconsin’s head coach, and the Badgers keep on rolling.

This gritty team will be tested again next week when Michigan, who is on an upswing, visits Madison.

But if Wisconsin can come close to replicating its stunning defensive effort versus Iowa, and limit its frustrating propensity for turnovers? It could very well improve to 11-0, with one regular season game remaining and Paul Bunyan’s Axe in clear view.