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Clay, White run over Gophers
MADISON – If there were any question who was the No. 1 running back at Wisconsin, John Clay answered them emphatically Saturday afternoon against Minnesota. But James White continued to show he was not far behind.
As the freshman White made a name for himself over the last two weeks earning Freshman of the Week honors in the Big Ten, questions mounted concerning Clay’s effectiveness out of the backfield. Some even called for White to be named starter.
On Saturday, the duo combined to put together the most complete performance by the Wisconsin running game yet this season. On 40 carries, they picked up 229 yards — a 5.7 yards per carry average — with five touchdowns.
“Those guys ran hard today,” said tight end Lance Kendricks, who provided a number of key blocks for Clay and White. “Overall, I think this was the best game that they’ve had as a balance of two running backs.”
Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema talks about going with the hot hand at running back. But when both backs are picking up more than five yards per carry, the hot hand is whoever is in the backfield on a given play.
If you ask either Clay or White, they’ll both tell you they don’t care who gets the carries, as long as the offense is successful.
“I really just like that it’s just constantly rolling through there,” Bielema said. “They’re the first ones to congratulate each other. It’s special.”
Clay, who had one of his best career rushing performances at Minnesota last year, opened the running game up early, tallying 52 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown in the first quarter. He would not touch the ball again in the half.
In the third quarter, Clay and White each added another touchdown, but it was not until the fourth quarter that they really tacked on the yardage. After rushing for 122 yards through three periods, they combined for 117 in the fourth quarter alone, while each also added another touchdown.
“There’s no slack when one of us comes out of the game,” White said. “If Clay comes out and I go in, there’s no slack. If I go out, Montee (Ball) goes in. We’re all in there cheering for each other and we’re all capable of doing big things.”
With three touchdown runs, Clay tied a personal best, while boosting his career total to seven trips to the end zone against Minnesota. With 37 career rushing touchdowns, Clay ranks fifth all time at UW.
Clay also eclipses the 3,000-yard mark on the ground, making him the eighth running back in school history to go over 3,000 yards. His 3,093 rushing yards also rank eighth in UW history.
Tallying his second career 100-yard rushing game, White now has 361 yards and eight touchdowns in his last three games. Saturday also marked the second time in those three games that Clay and White have both rushed for at least 100 yards.
In three games against Austin Peay, Michigan State and Minnesota, Wisconsin’s running back duo has rushed for 670 yards and 12 touchdowns on 93 carries. With the power of Clay and White’s speed, opposing defense have had their hands full stopping the Badgers rushing attack.
“I’m a power runner, he’s a speed guy,” Clay said. “They don’t expect it. He’s a lot shorter guy than I am, so he’s able to use his agility and hide behind offensive lineman. For me, I’m a bigger guy, so it’s hard for opponents to come try to tackle me down.
“When we get out there able to showcase our talent, we’re always there to show each other support and love.”
Spartans’ big plays hurt UW
EAST LANSING — Every time you looked up, it seemed like Michigan State had the ball, and down-and-distance was in the Badgers’ favor.
More often than not though, it also seemed as though the Spartans picked up enough yardage to earn a new set of downs. As if that weren’t enough, many of those third-down conversions turned out to be big gains, dramatically changing the course of the drive and the football game.
“Big plays on defense hurt us,” said Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema.
“We’re a team that if we do things uncharacteristic of what we are, we’re going to meet failure and not have success in critical situations.”
Wisconsin’s defense was not the only unit hurt by big plays. The Badgers were hurt yet again on special teams in the second quarter when MSU returner Keshawn Martin returned a Brad Nortman punt 74 yards for the touchdown.
While it may not have won the game for the Spartans, Martin’s touchdown changed the momentum in a hurry.
“I wouldn’t say it got us beat today,” free safety Aaron Henry said of the special teams. “But it didn’t help.”
On their three touchdown drives, the Spartans converted on five third downs and two fourth down attempts. Those three drives also featured nine plays of 10 yards or more for the Michigan State offense.
All told, MSU went for 10 or more yards on 17 plays in the game, including three that were at least 20 yards and three more of 30 yards or more. On third down, the Spartans went 9-for-18, while converting two of three fourth downs.
“We need to get it together, man,” Henry said. “It’s just the small things that we’ve got to correct. We know we have a ton of talent, we know we’ve got a real good football team, we know we can play with anybody in the country.
“But today, Michigan State was a little bit better than us.”
On no drive were the Badgers’ third down struggles more evident than the Spartans’ final trip down the field. Reeling off 15 plays over 8:03 for 84 yards, Michigan State delivered a devastating knockout punch to Wisconsin.
Crucial to their success on that drive were three successful third-down conversions, from third-and-9, third-and-11 and third-and-5. The first was converted on a 12-yard pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to Mark Dell. That was nothing compared to the back-breaking pass that came just three plays later.
Facing third-and-11 on his own 28-yard line, Cousins found Larry Caper for a 35-yard completion, moving the ball down to the UW 37-yard line.
“We did a great job on first and second down,” cornerback Antonio Fenelus said. “We’ve just got to be able to convert and stop them on those third and longs and just [eliminate] those big plays they had.”
Caper struck again later in the drive, rushing for 11 yards on third-and-5, which set up a first-and-goal at the 10-yard line and gave Michigan State a shot at a game-winning touchdown a few plays later.
Wisconsin’s inability to prevent big plays and stop Michigan State on third down was reflected in the final statistics for the Spartan offense. On the ground, MSU outgained UW 175 yards to 165. Through the air, Sparty put up 269 yards to just 127 for Bucky.
All told, the Spartans tallied 444 yards to 292 for Wisconsin. Both numbers were far from the Badgers’ season averages of 484 yards per game offensively and 265.2 given up on defense.
“That’s all on the players, we’ve got to pick it up,” safety Jay Valai said. “It was very frustrating because we’re a better defense than that. We’ve got to be able to stop them eventually.”
Into the great ‘White’ open
MADISON—On the Badgers’ fourth play from scrimmage Saturday, running back James White missed a blitz pickup that led to a sack on quarterback Scott Tolzien, and a seven-yard loss.
It would be the only loss White was responsible for during the game.
“I knew I had to pick it up from there and just had to be focused in and gain my yards and pick up all the blocks,” White said.
“On the blitz, I was waiting for the mike declaration. I missed it, so I needed to look out to my right, I walked up to the line of scrimmage and the guy came right behind my back and sacked him.”
White heeded his own advice throughout the rest of Wisconsin’s non-conference game against FCS opponent Austin Peay, picking up a career-best and game-high 145 rushing yards on 11 carries with four touchdowns, including one on a 66-yard run down the sideline.
His 13.2 yards per carry was good for the fourth highest yards per carry average in school history.
Simply put, it was a breakout performance for the true freshman.
“He’s a special player,” Tolzien said. “He can break one at any snap.”
With the way he had been praised throughout fall camp by the UW coaching staff and the local media, White’s performance also was proof there might be something to all the hype.
After fumbling away a chance at his first career touchdown two weeks earlier, four trips to the end zone against the Governors added a measure of redemption as well for White.
“I wasn’t expecting it, I was just going out there trying to gain yards and just happened to break it a couple times and ended up with four touchdowns,” White said.
White became the seventh Badger in school history to rush for four touchdowns in a game and the first since P.J. Hill had four on Sept. 15, 2007, against The Citadel. Putting his name alongside an even greater former UW running back, White tied Ron Dayne’s record of four touchdowns in a game as a freshman.
With John Clay adding 118 yards on 15 carries, Clay and White gave the Badgers a pair of 100-yard rushers in a game for the first time since Nov. 7, 2009, when Clay and Montee Ball achieved the same feat at Indiana.
Those that have seen White’s exploits since early August were impressed by his performance Saturday as well.
They might not have been as surprised as some fans while watching White run right through the Austin Peay defenders, the Wisconsin coaches and players liked the extra dimension White brought to the offense
“I was excited because we thought that first third and short he was going to get that play around the edge,” said head coach Bret Bielema. “When we called it, I go, ‘Watch him go,’ and that’s exactly what happened.
“James is a very gifted football player with great speed and again, because he’s not out there every down, he comes in with those fresh legs and it really benefits everybody.”
While the total yards and touchdowns certainly were impressive, the play that stood out in the game for White was the 66-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
On third down with two yards to go, White took a toss to the left side where he was led by fullback Bradie Ewing blocking the only defender and nothing but green grass between himself and the end zone once he got around the corner.
“I didn’t get touched at all,” White said. “As soon as I got the ball it was just Bradie and the corner out there. As soon as he cut him, it was just me and the open field, and I just had to run away with it.”
Did he sense the Governor defenders trailing close behind?
“I felt somebody coming as I got a little slow towards the end,” White said. “He dove at my feet, I felt him miss and I was like, ‘Thank goodness.’”
Special teams struggle, shine against ASU
MADISON – Every play matters.
Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema has worked to instill that mentality in his players, and on Saturday, those players provided him with two perfect examples in big moments.
While the Badgers special teams units struggled in coverage for the most part against Arizona State, two big plays on special teams made all the difference as UW came out on top, 20-19, over Arizona State.
“It’s the difference between good and bad today,” Bielema said. “Every season I reflect back on, there’s a handful of plays that determine a game, that determine a season.”
Following a touchdown that put Wisconsin up 13-10, Sun Devils returner Kyle Middlebrooks took a Philip Welch kickoff from the 4-yard line and raced for the end zone. With no one in front of him, Middlebrooks looked as though he would score to put ASU back on top heading into the locker room.
Enter Shelton Johnson.
After Dezmen Southward slowed Middlebrooks down, Johnson caught him from behind and made the tackle at the 1-yard line, saving a touchdown as the clock ran out on the first half.
“Honestly, I was just running hoping that I could get him,” Johnson said.
The play was remarkably similar to one late in the first quarter, when cornerback Omar Bolden took a Welch kickoff back 97 yards for the touchdown, putting Arizona State up 7-3.
So what was Johnson thinking when it looked to be happening again?
“No, don’t let this happen again,” Johnson said. “That would’ve been the second of the game, and it would have been really deflating going into halftime.”
Johnson’s tackle kept the Badgers up three points at the half, but more importantly, it meant John Clay’s third quarter touchdown put them up 20-13, rather than tying the game at 20 apiece. That proved crucial late in the fourth quarter, when the Sun Devils found the end zone for their only offensive touchdown of the game.
With 4:09 remaining, running back Cameron Marshall ran it in from two yards out, which appeared to tie the game for the second time. Instead, the extra point proved to be the deciding factor in game.
Looking to preserve their lead, the Badgers called for a block scheme they had not used yet this season. It worked out, as senior safety Jay Valai got around the left end and made the most of his 5-foot-9 frame, knocking the kick offline on an all-out dive.
“The PAT block is normally unheard of in college football,” said ASU head coach Dennis Erickson. “In all my career, I’ve never seen something like that. The bottom line is they got someone through.”
It’s hard to argue against the two plays made by Johnson and Valai as being among the biggest of the day for the Badgers.
The two players involved did disagree, however, on who made the more important play.
“Probably Jay’s,” Johnson answered when asked which play was bigger. “If he didn’t make that play, we’re probably still playing right now. I definitely think Jay blocking that kick was a huge, huge impact on this game.”
Valai, on the other hand, preferred his teammate’s touchdown-saving tackle to close out the Badgers’ less-than-stellar first half.
“Shelton’s just being nice — that’s a touchdown,” Valai said. “That’s not one point, Shelton stopped six, seven points right there. Shelton Johnson made a great play, that’s the biggest play of the game.”
The key to both plays, though, was effort.
Once Middlebrooks got into the open field, Johnson and Southward easily could have packed it in and headed to the locker room. In the fourth quarter, Valai could have accepted the Sun Devils were going to tie the game and 20 points apiece and put the burden on the offense to come away with the victory.
Instead, both put together the kind of effort expected out of them by the Wisconsin coaching staff, and in the end, it paid huge dividends.
“Football is a game that is comprised of four quarters, 15 minutes each, 60 minutes of playing time,” Bielema said. “But really it’s 60 minutes of reaction, who reacts better to what happens.”
Watt continues block party in win
If he’s on the field, it’s a pretty safe bet to expect defensive end J.J. Watt to be wherever the football is.
Between sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles and pass break ups, he contributes in as many ways as anyone in a Badgers uniform.
He didn’t break up any passes this week, but that didn’t stop Watt from getting his hands on the ball.
As San Jose State lined up on 4th-and-6 late in the second quarter, Watt got his hands on kicker Harrison Waid’s field goal attempt, sending it offline.
“It seems to be a trend and I’m kind of happy with the trend,” Watt said. “A couple blocked passes last week and then a blocked field goal this week, I’ll take it.”
Coming as no surprise to anyone who knows him, Watt is not satisfied with just his role as defensive end. As evidenced by the field goal block, he is a fixture in the Badgers’ special teams units.
Additionally, Watt was featured at tight end twice Saturday on UW red zone drives. He did not play a major role in the outcome of the plays, but his mere presence shows his willingness to do whatever is needed to help his team win.
“J.J. is an unbelievable competitor,” head coach Bret Bielema said. “Now he thinks he’s a specialist too because he gets to go in on offense.
“I was always concerned that J.J. wasn’t going to be around when we called for that personnel, and he’s practically in the huddle before it’s even said. That’s how much he’s enjoying it.”
As a former tight end, Watt certainly knows his way around the offensive line and, more importantly, the football.
With that in mind, it’s easy to wonder if offensive coordinator Paul Chryst might call Watt’s number at some point this season when he’s on the field. If Chryst were so inclined, Watt would certainly provide quarterback Scott Tolzien with another big, sure-handed target to throw to near the goal line.
True to form, however, Watt is satisfied with simply blocking and drawing the attention of the defense.
“If I score a touchdown, I’d be pretty happy with that,” Watt said. “Right now, I’m just doing anything I can to help the team.”
If he’s on the field, it’s a pretty safe bet to expect defensive end J.J. Watt to be wherever the football is.
Between sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles and pass break ups, he contributes in as many ways as anyone in a Badgers uniform.
He didn’t break up any passes this week, but that didn’t stop Watt from getting his hands on the ball.
As San Jose State lined up on 4th-and-6 late in the second quarter, Watt got his hands on kicker Harrison Waid’s field goal attempt, sending it offline.
“It seems to be a trend and I’m kind of happy with the trend,” Watt said. “A couple blocked passes last week and then a blocked field goal this week, I’ll take it.”
Coming as no surprise to anyone who knows him, Watt is not satisfied with just his role as defensive end. As evidenced by the field goal block, he is a fixture in the Badgers’ special teams units.
Additionally, Watt was featured at tight end twice Saturday on UW red zone drives. He did not play a major role in the outcome of the plays, but his mere presence shows his willingness to do whatever is needed to help his team win.
“J.J. is an unbelievable competitor,” head coach Bret Bielema said. “Now he thinks he’s a specialist too because he gets to go in on offense.
“I was always concerned that J.J. wasn’t going to be around when we called for that personnel, and he’s practically in the huddle before it’s even said. That’s how much he’s enjoying it.”
As a former tight end, Watt certainly knows his way around the offensive line and, more importantly, the football.
With that in mind, it’s easy to wonder if offensive coordinator Paul Chryst might call Watt’s number at some point this season when he’s on the field. If Chryst were so inclined, Watt would certainly provide quarterback Scott Tolzien with another big, sure-handed target to throw to near the goal line.
True to form, however, Watt is satisfied with simply blocking and drawing the attention of the defense.
“If I score a touchdown, I’d be pretty happy with that,” Watt said. “Right now, I’m just doing anything I can to help the team.”
Tolzien struggles throughout sloppy win
MADISON – Perhaps the most encouraging thing about the Badgers through two games is the fact that they have yet to play their best football.
Between injuries, turnovers and missed opportunities, the Wisconsin football team has looked like anything but the 11th best team in the nation. At no position is this clearer than at quarterback, where senior Scott Tolzien has yet to deliver a complete performance.
As Wisconsin hosted San Jose State for Saturday’s home opener, Tolzien turned the ball over just once on an interception, but added three crucial fumbles that stalled three drives.
“We’ve just got to get better,” Tolzien said. “That’s an obvious statement, but we’re not there yet and I’ve got to be accountable for myself, first and foremost.”
As for the fumbles?
“That’s on me,” he said. “I’ve got to make sure it doesn’t happen. Plain and simple.”
Tolzien’s ball security issues began in the second quarter when he coughed up the football on the first play of the Badgers’ second drive following a six-yard sack. After that drive ended in a three-and-out, Tolzien had trouble hanging onto the ball again during the next drive.
Sitting on fourth-and-one at the San Jose State four-yard line, the Badgers opted to go for it. Following an exchange issue with the center, Tolzien was tackled for no gain, and Wisconsin turned the ball over on downs.
“Scotty was putting it on himself,” head coach Bret Bielema said. “As you guys know, he’ll beat himself up over it. It’s just something that we have to clean up.”
Following a fumble-free drive to end the first half that culminated in a field goal, the Badgers’ first drive of the second half was much like the one that ended on the four-yard line. Fortunately for Tolzien and Wisconsin, this time they had an extra down.
After another exchange issue, this time involving fullback Ryan Groy, the Badgers went from 3rd-and-2 on the 15-yard line to 4th-and-7 on the 20. Philip Welch delivered his second field goal of the game as the Badgers missed out on yet another touchdown opportunity in the red zone.
The worst was yet to come, however, for Tolzien.
Two drives later, Tolzien followed up first-down passes of 14 and 21 yards with an interception, which led to a two-play touchdown drive for San Jose State. On a deep pass intended for receiver Isaac Anderson, corner back Payton Thompson picked it off at his own 15-yard line.
“I know Scotty didn’t like the fact that he threw that ball,” Bielema said.
“Missed read, missed throw, bad play,” Tolzien added. “I’ve got to be smarter than that. I’ve got to play better, period.”
While Tolzien struggled passing and holding onto the ball Saturday, he persevered. According to his head coach, his best play was his last.
On 3rd-and-4, following a San Jose State timeout with 1:27 remaining in the game, Tolzien read the defense at the line of scrimmage and acted accordingly, leading to a big gain by running back John Clay that allowed UW to run out the clock following a kneel down.
“The best play of the day came on that last drive,” Bielema said. “We had a play that was going to get nulled and then the check was wrong. He totally changed the play at the line of scrimmage, and I believe it was an eight-yard first down.”
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