Wisconsin Football: Grading group performances from week one
. . Wisconsin Badgers. LINEBACKERS . A
It’s such a nice feeling to know when you see a guy like Ryan Connelly tracking a ball carrier to the sideline that he’s going to make the tackle. T.J. Edwards is exactly the same way. These two, along with others in the linebacker unit, made up for the shortcomings of the defensive line.
The only sack from the defense of the night came from Connelly who also had five tackles, plus 1.5 for loss. Edwards tied the team lead for tackles with seven, and also had a tackle for loss of his own. Get used to seeing those two names at the top of the stat sheet. They might be the best duo of linebackers in the entire country.
Starting outside linebackers Zack Baun and Andrew Van Ginkel were also frequents in the Hilltopper backfield, with Van Ginkel tallying a QB hurry. He wasn’t able to get home for any sacks, but I trust that will change. The pressure that Connelly and Edwards put on the middle of the defense will eventually free the edge rushers.
The Badger defense wasn’t incredibly stifling but it played well. It probably won’t be as dominant as it was a year ago. There is still time to figure out any of the kinks and continue to build on a strong performance for this unit that will lead the defense in 2018.