Badgers benefit from bye week
After an impressive road win against Iowa, the Badgers welcomed a bye week heading into this Saturday’s home game against struggling Nebraska (0-4, 0-2).
The key for the Badgers is to build momentum for their pivotal Oct. 13 showdown at Michigan.
Besides road games against Michigan and Penn State, the No. 16 Badgers (3-1, 1-0) have a favorable conference schedule.
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said the bye week allowed the team to rest some injured players, plus work out some kinks that the coaching staff noticed in the loss to BYU and the first three quarters against Iowa.
“They’ve got to fuel up their tank and they’ve got to make sure they come back with some energy,” Chryst said. “I know some of them will go home and that’s important for them to go home and reconnect. Some will just lay low.
“That’s what’s kind of neat about a team, everyone’s a little bit different. This is the halfway point if you count camp so they’ve got to take advantage of this time to re-energize, whether it’s through (eating) Cheetos or watching games or maybe not watching any football and just getting away from it. We’ve got to come back ready to roll.”
An encouraging sign in the Iowa comeback win was the play of quarterback Alex Hornibrook. The junior showed his experience and big-play ability by leading the Badgers on an 88-play drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown to A.J. Taylor with 57 seconds left.
“One of his strengths is, whatever the situation, embrace it,” Chryst said.
“I think he competes. He’s been good, but like everyone on this team, he can keep getting better … I think he’s done a good job of working (on what defenses) are doing. There’s still room to grow, but I’ve liked his approach.”
Senior fullback Alec Ingold was another player who impressed Chryst. Ingold caught a 33-yard pass to set up the first touchdown against Iowa, while also running 33-yard touchdown in the final seconds.
One area Chryst and his staff identified is the lack of a pass rush. The Badgers ranked last in the Big Ten with only three sacks heading into the Nebraska game.
“No doubt, that’s a big part of defensive football,” he said.
“I think the bye week is a good chance to go through and take a good look at your self-scout. We believe we can get more…Any defense is better when you can get some of that and, certainly, we’d like to get more and feel like we can get better in that area.”
