Wisconsin is positioned for a well-balanced offensive attack this season. Transfer quarterback Colton Joseph's ability to extend plays, run the football, and throw the deep ball will also allow the running game to flourish. In fact, Jeff Grimes wants the run game and offensive line to set up Joseph to do what he does best. For Wisconsin fans, they may see an offense that has a lot more firepower and yet is patient enough to get chunk runs all the way down the field.
One of the key components of this offense to hum is the receiver core. Both in their ability to catch, run block, and keep plays alive while Joseph scrambles around. This is exactly how Hilton says his receiver room can help Joseph. Emphasis has been placed on helping Joseph out.
"We always talk about it in our receiver room, helping [Joseph] extend plays." Hilton continues, "He has great legs, and he can run. Just staying alive for him because, you know, a lot of times when he leaves the pocket, that's a chance for an explosive play. So, just trying to help him out."
Colton Joseph may actually bring back an offense that Wisconsin is used to
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This style of offense with a dynamic offensive signal-caller who can run, scramble, and even create more magic by being outside of the offense isn't foreign to Wisconsin. While Russell Wilson expanded this skill more in the NFL, he was doing things exactly like this at Wisconsin. Wilson took off 79 times in his senior season at Wisconsin for over 300 yards.
That same season, Montee Ball ran for 1,923 yards, and James White rushed for 713 yards. Thus, the offense didn't depend on a Wilson scramble, but defenses had to respect it. This actually unlocked the running backs, receivers, and tight ends. Yet, it took everyone blocking and doing the extra stuff to make it happen. Which is exactly what Hilton is saying: there's a focus on the little things, such as the receivers, that will help Joseph a ton. Hilton went on to say he's working on run blocking and it's a point of emphasis for his growth, "I think blocking is just a 'want to.' It's an effort thing."
Jared Abbrederis, Nick Toon, and Jacob Pedersen all took this exact mindset into the offense. And while Jeff Grimes has a different wrinkle than what Bret Bielema and that squad were up to, the receivers being part of a scramble attack, extending plays, and blocking downfield is a huge key to making this offense work.
Thus, all that to say, hearing Hilton say exactly this should excite Badger fans. There's something brewing this season, and if Joseph can stay healthy, the offensive line can do their jobs, the running backs can get to the second level, the receivers can do the dirty work between their opportunities, the sky is the limit. Proof will be in the pudding, but things feel right in camp.
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