Archive
Effort propels Watt to national honors
MADISON – If you asked Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema, he’d tell you the truest test of a defense is its effort on extra-point tries after giving up a touchdown.
That being the case, J.J. Watt‘s extraordinary effort following Iowa’s first touchdown of the game Saturday proved to be the difference in the game. As Watt batted away the Hawkeyes’ extra-point attempt, he allowed his team to win by the slimmest of margins, 31-30, at Kinnick Stadium.
“This is two weeks now that this Watt fellow has played lights out,” former Ohio State coach John Cooper, who is one of the Legends Coaches that votes on the award, said in a statement. “He blocks an extra point and later sacks the quarterback to drive Iowa out of field goal range at the end and Wisconsin wins by a single point. That’s performing under pressure.”
In that Badgers victory, Watt recorded one sack, two tackles for loss, and five total tackles, to go along with his blocked extra point.
For his efforts, Watt was recognized for the second straight week as the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week. The Lott, named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.
Additionally, Watt took home Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Iowa, while also being named the Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week.
“It’s awesome, it’s very cool,” Watt said of the recognition. “I was just back home yesterday in Pewaukee and I was thinking about when I was super excited to be all-Woodland Conference, and now I’m getting these national defensive player of the week awards.
“It’s unbelievable to see where it’s come, but all the credit has to go to my teammates. If you don’t win football games, you’re not going to get awards like that.”
While his numbers against Iowa don’t exactly stand out on the stat sheet, Watt’s impact could also be seen in the Hawkeyes’ game plan, which was designed to avoid the junior defensive end from Pewaukee, Wis.
“They were doing some things, I think, to get away from J.J. just as much as anything,” Bielema said. “But you know, we do some things with him. He’s all over the place. He plays all four D-line positions, so it’s kind of hard to gauge where he’s going to be all the time.
“Now 1st and 10 would be a little bit different, but I always tell our coaches, and our players, that is a true sign of respect when somebody starts noticeably game planning around, to avoid you or, on the flip side of it, if they’re trying to find you, is another way to look at it.”
With the efforts of Iowa to avoid as well as double- and triple-teaming Watt, it took extra effort from Watt just to put up the five tackles and one sack he did manage.
While he did only have a single sack in the game, it also came at a crucial moment, as he brought down Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi for an 11-yard loss with just 26 seconds remaining in the game.
Stanzi and the Hawkeyes were forced to call timeout, which proved crucial on the final play of the game, when they ran out of time after failing to reach the sideline to stop the clock.
“If you outwork your opponent, you’re going to get opportunities,” Watt said. “We could definitely use a little bit more pressure, but we got to him when it counted.”
Ewing developing aggressiveness, blocking
MADISON – When the 2010 season opened, the Wisconsin Badgers experimented with offensive lineman Ryan Groy at fullback. As a result, junior Bradie Ewing was forced into a role as more of a spectator as he saw his playing time limited.
Ewing didn’t sit back and accept his role, however. Instead, his recent performance would suggest he used the coaching staff’s decision to start Groy over him as motivation to improve.
“My guess is, if you asked him, he probably took it a little personal when No. 47 started lining up,” said head coach Bret Bielema. “Bradie Ewing is an unbelievable kid. He is so strong mentally that I think when that situation came up, he knew what he needed to do to get on the field, and he’s playing.”
Ewing did not start a game this season until the Badgers’ fifth of the season, at Michigan State. A week earlier against Austin Peay, the native of Richland Center, Wis., added his first two touchdowns of the season, one rushing and one receiving.
In four Big Ten games, Ewing has caught three passes – one each against Michigan State, Ohio State and Iowa – for 18 yards. Against the Hawkeyes, he added his third touchdown of the season, which put Wisconsin up 10-6 at the time.
Even with Ewing’s offensive production going up, Bielema remains, and understandably so, more impressed with his improvement in blocking.
“Two things that probably have cleaned it up for me, for him, that I’ve witnessed,” Bielema said, “he’s playing very mean, he’s very aggressive in what he’s doing, and he’s probably learned to block on the move a lot better.
“When you’re a running back or he’s used to running the football, he hadn’t really ever trained or been coached up on making blocks while you’re moving, and that’s a unique thing. It’s a lot easier said than done, and he’s gotten really good at that.”
With his high school career featuring Ewing running the ball out of the backfield more than blocking for others, the move to fullback has been an adjustment. Looking at Ewing, you would never expect a mean streak out of the clean cut, 6-foot, 234-pound running back who looks more Boy Scout than football player.
As a result, developing that aggressiveness has taken some time as well for Ewing. Lately, especially with his performance against top defensive linemen from Ohio State and Iowa, a lack of aggressiveness is far from the case with Ewing.
“Bradie is, he’s Mr. Wisconsin. I mean, he probably could be the Governor here at some point in his life,” Bielema said. “He’s smart, good looking, family is great people, but it took him awhile to learn how to become mean. I’m sure he wasn’t – I know he has one sister, maybe two sisters – he probably wasn’t wrestling with them in the backyard. I mean, he wasn’t a guy that maybe grew up and had to be tough or aggressive.
“Since he’s come here, it was last Thursday, I mean, a Thursday practice, and the defense had already gone in, and there’s a fight, there’s a scuffle. I’m like, ‘What, who’s doing that? Nobody fights on Thursdays.’
“Bradie was mixing it up, I think, with one of the linebackers. I don’t know if it was [Michael] Trotter or [Josh] Harrison, but I was just chuckling to myself because it was a Thursday, we’re in half-pack practice, and Bradie’s getting in a fight.”
Mehlhaff gets fresh start in UFL
MADISON — Out of Aberdeen Central High School in 2004, Taylor Mehlhaff was the top-ranked kicker in the nation, just ahead of current New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley. After four years at Wisconsin, Mehlhaff was the first kicker taken in the 2008 NFL Draft, as the Saints made him their sixth-round pick at No. 178 overall.
After three games with New Orleans that included a missed field goal and a missed extra-point attempt, Mehlhaff found himself without a job. Shortly after the 2008 season he signed with the Minnesota Vikings, but Mehlhaff was cut before the start of the season.
Following a year out of football in which he started Taylor Mehlhaff Kicking LLC, which runs camps for aspiring kickers, Mehlhaff now finds himself back in the game. For the 2010 season, Mehlhaff signed with the Hartford Colonials of the UFL, earning one of five starting kicking positions in the league.
Between strategy meetings last week, BadgerBlitz.com caught up with the former Badger. The following is a question and answer with Mehlhaff.
How’s it feel to be back on the football field in the UFL?
Mehlhaff: It’s been good, man. It’s a little bit different than the NFL in certain aspects of it, but really, I’ve really enjoyed it. The talent that’s here, the people that are playing, are guys that have been in and out of the NFL. The Omaha team probably has the most veterans; there’s guys that have been Pro Bowl guys and all of a sudden you get released or you get hurt and everyone’s trying to get back in the NFL.
There’s really a lot of talent. When you get some of these younger guys that get released, practices almost seem — especially in training camp — like guys are competing so hard because guys are hungry, they’re trying to get back in the NFL. Whereas, in the NFL, it’s just guys at times seem like they go through the motions.
It’s the same thing with the coaches too. The coaches have all been in the NFL and for whatever reason, their units didn’t perform well and now they’re down here. They’re all trying to get back in the NFL as well. So it’s kind of a thing where everybody is trying to reprove themselves a little bit.
How did you end up finding yourself on the Hartford roster this season?
Mehlhaff: You know, it was tough trying to get this because the way you look at it is, if you’re not one of the 32 guys in the NFL, basically these are the next five spots. There’s five teams here, and as far as the Canadian league goes, this is a much better situation than that because the amount of crossover between guys coaching in the NFL and UFL. Moneywise, this was also a much better situation than the Canadian league.
So, if you’re a free agent kicker out there, everyone was fighting to be one of these five guys. I was brought in with workouts for different teams, performed well and was able to get an opportunity here with the Colonials. So really, I feel pretty blessed and fortunate to get an opportunity with these guys.
This league really important for everybody here trying to get back in the NFL, but even more so than any other position, it’s a great opportunity for a kicker or punter because come late November when our season is done, there are going to be plenty of NFL teams out there where either the kicker or punter gets hurt or guys are struggling like you saw last year in the NFL.
An NFL team would much rather sign one of the five guys in this league that are playing week in and week out, practicing every single day, than sign a guy off the street. Last year, there were four kickers in the UFL, two of the four are in the NFL right now: the Redskins kicker [Graham Gano] and the Falcons kicker [Matt Bryant]. It’s a great opportunity for a kicker or punter.
Did you have any kind of options in the NFL before signing with Hartford?
Mehlhaff: I did. I heard from several teams throughout the NFL but for me, I didn’t want to go in and just be a camp leg, and sit behind a veteran knowing that I’m not going to be the guy. In this stage of my career right now, I need to be playing, after I was released by New Orleans, I had my preseason games with the Vikings, but I needed to get a full season under my belt where I could prove to teams that, ‘Hey, you can trust me as a field goal guy.’
So I wanted to get into this league and prove myself in a full season in a developmental league. But actually, the day we reported here, Seattle tried getting me to go there because Olindo Mare had just tweaked a groin or something like that. They tried signing me for the preseason games.
The way I looked at it was, I could go there and hopefully do well, perform well and get an opportunity if maybe another team picks me up after they release me, or I could stay here and keep working my butt off and try to have a great season and then hopefully there will be multiple opportunities. And I’m glad I stayed.
What would you say are the best and worst aspects of the UFL?
Mehlhaff: Well, just naturally, the UFL doesn’t have the budget that the NFL does. When you’re in the NFL, you’re taken care of so well. Here, it’s not like that. They put us up in a hotel, they pay for our living and food and everything, which is nice. But just little things like not having our own locker room, we’re at a hotel, so we kind of have a big convention room as our locker room.
When we go over to practice, we have a beautiful FieldTurf field that we practice on, but on days that it rains, you can’t go inside in the bubble or you can’t go in the indoor facility. In the NFL, all those things you kind of just take for granted, all those things are just kind of there for you. Whereas here, you’re kind of more on your own with stuff. At practice, when I’m warming up, I’m shagging my own footballs because we don’t have 15 equipment guys that are helping out with everything.
But I feel so fortunate to be doing this. I get to make a living going and playing football, so when the meals aren’t as good or when things aren’t quite like you’re used to, sometimes you’ve just got to look at it like, ‘Man, are you kidding me? I get to go out here and workout and kick a football for a couple hours and that’s the way I make a living.’
On the positive side, everything’s maybe just a little bit more laid back than in the NFL setting. The schedule is only eight weeks as well, with a couple bye weeks in there, so it’s nice. It’s easy to take care of your body. I’ve enjoyed this area too with Hartford, Conn., being right between Boston and New York.
You’ve said it’s everyone’s goal, but just to be clear, is your goal to get back to the NFL?
Mehlhaff: Oh yeah, definitely. For me, I think I look at it and why everyone is here, whether it’s coaches or players, everyone’s goal is to get back in the NFL. I feel like if you take care of business week in and week out, day in and day out in practice, if you have a solid season here, I think there will be plenty of opportunities that present themselves at the next level.
Every team sees every single one of our games and practices. Teams are paying attention, I know that because I’ve talked to some of the teams and they’ve said, ‘We’re going to be keeping an eye on you.’ So, you just worry about taking care of business here, and that’s why I didn’t jump on the Seattle opportunity.
I feel like this is what I have to do to reprove myself again. I think I’ve gotten better, and it’s been good for me to develop a little bit more here.
Are you still planning on doing the kicking camps?
Mehlhaff: Oh yeah, absolutely. Every single week I get a handful of e-mails from parents and kids asking about private lessons, so that’s definitely something that I’ll do in the offseason throughout the winter and spring and summer. I’ll do quite a few camps again as well as private lessons.
It went really well last year, I was actually surprised. Between my camps and private lessons, I probably saw over 200 kids, which really is pretty awesome. I’ve heard nothing but good things from the parents and the students.
It’s something that I enjoy doing, and I think it’s made me a better kicker as well, because when I’m sitting here, breaking these kids’ techniques down, it helps me hold myself accountable. It’s like mental practice for me.
What is the process like if an NFL team were to have interest in you?
Mehlhaff: If an NFL team wanted you bad enough, they can pay out, I think it’s $150,000, and they can grab us from our teams. Say some random team calls and says, ‘Hey, we need Taylor right now,’ and that could happen, they could let you go. But I don’t think that’s something that will really happen.
It’s a yearly contract here, and to be honest, if I could play here for years, I really would. I hope this league does a great job and continues to build. It’s supposed to expand to I think eight or 10 teams next year. I would love to play in this league as long as I can. If an NFL opportunity doesn’t present itself again, I would love to play here for sure.
How does the pressure in the UFL compare for you as a kicker to what you faced in the NFL and in college at Wisconsin?
Mehlhaff: For me, as a kicker, it’s always the same just because, at the professional level, you’re expected to make kicks. That’s the bottom line. Maybe it’s not the exact same pressure as it is in the NFL because there’s not as much money involved, but the bottom line is, if I want to get to the next level, I expect myself to be perfect.
I don’t think I feel any different when I walk out on the field here than I did when I was with New Orleans or at Wisconsin.
Clay, Bielema focused on offensive line before OSU
MADISON — Standing behind John Clay with his helmet off Saturday, you’d see the following numbers in his head: 68, 74, 66, 70 and 58. Lining up in the Wisconsin backfield, Clay sees the same set of numbers every time he takes the ball.
It took Clay about 20 minutes of work in the barbershop to show his appreciation for what his teammates do. Within the game’s first five minutes, Clay was thanking them again.
Clay burst through a big hole created by the Wisconsin offensive line and rushed 14 yards for the touchdown. Less than 12 minutes of game time later, Clay found the end zone again. As the Badgers led 21-0 over the No. 1 team in the nation, hard work by Clay and the offensive line paid off in a big way.
“He practiced as hard as I’ve ever seen him practice and really executed ball security, and he gave the tribute to the five offensive linemen, shaving their numbers in his head,” UW head coach Bret Bielema said of Clay. “It was a way of John saying, ‘I respect what you guys have done.’ His success is a lot about what they do, so again, just a good example of team chemistry.”
Wisconsin’s offensive line guided Clay to 104 yards rushing on 21 carries, as well as those two first half touchdowns.
Afterward, as he does after every game, Clay credited his success to the hard work up front by Peter Konz, John Moffitt, Gabe Carimi, Kevin Zeitler and Ricky Wagner.
“I just told them they’ve been working hard for me all week and this whole year, so I told them I’d do something special when the big game came,” Clay said. “It worked out in a good way.”
With the Badgers facing one of the toughest defensive lines in the country in Ohio State, Clay was not the only one focused on the offensive line this week.
Knowing the battle in the trenches could very easily determine the outcome of the game against the top-ranked Buckeyes, the head coach looked to give his front five a little added motivation.
“I did challenge them,” Bielema said. “I don’t do that very often as a head coach. I don’t want to set kids up for failure. If I do something like that, it’s usually that I have a really strong belief that it’s going to come through.
“Everybody made a big deal about the 29 games that Ohio State had played without a 100-yard rusher. I threw it in those guys’ faces all week. I threw it at our running backs, but it all starts up front for us. For us to have success, we have to play well at the offensive line.”
Konz, Moffitt, Carimi, Zeitler and Wagner answered the challenge in a big way. Not only did they pave the way for Clay to become the first opposing player in 30 games to rush for 100 yards or more against OSU, they also kept their quarterback upright.
Attempting 16 passes on the day, Scott Tolzien was not sacked a single time. But did the offensive line need to challenged?
“I don’t know. I mean, that’s a good question,” Moffitt answered. “We play our game and we always try to play our game. Obviously, when the head coach calls you out, you just have to raise the bar, and I think that’s what we did.
“It feels great. We did the right things and we won the game.”
Fans flood field after upset victory
MADISON — Pandemonium.
That was the consensus description of the scene on the field at Camp Randall Stadium after the Badgers’ 31-18 win over No. 1 Ohio State. And why shouldn’t it have been?
Despite repeated warnings not to do so, fans poured onto the playing surface as the clock wound to zero, mobbing the 18th-ranked Wisconsin football team as it secured its biggest win in recent program history.
Within minutes, the green field turf was replaced by a sea of red.
“I’ll remember how quickly that thing can fill up,” Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema said. “Mark Taurisani, my office guy, told me, ‘If they rush the field, go out the far tunnel,’ and I’m like, ‘Well, you better tell everybody else the same thing.’ We hadn’t exactly gone through an evacuation plan.”
Without any briefing on what to expect after such a momentous victory, a number of players found themselves in precarious situations, surrounded by classmates and alumni.
With the Badgers defeating the nation’s No. 1 team for the first time since 1981 and the fourth time in school history, everybody wanted to be a part of the big moment.
“It’s so much excitement and so much joy,” free safety Aaron Henry said. “Coming into this game, we knew what to expect. I know a lot of people on the outside looking in, they didn’t really give us a chance, and that’s fine. As long as the core group of guys in that locker room believe in each other man, the sky’s the limit.”
Before the game, the Badgers were a picture of quiet intensity, according to Bielema and other players who recalled their teammates showing a surprising, but intense, calmness.
Afterward, as Camp Randall exploded in excitement, the Badgers celebrated their first win over Ohio State in the Bielema era.
“That was nuts,” said linebacker Blake Sorensen, who had a big late-game interception. “It was a big win for the team and the fans as well. That was huge. The last I saw the goal post was rocking back and forth when I left. It was awesome.”
Five things to watch: Ohio State
MADISON — Top-ranked Ohio State is in town, and they brought ESPN College GameDay along with them. For the third straight time dating back to 2003, the Buckeyes and Badgers will play under the lights at Camp Randall Stadium.
The stage has been set, and all eyes are on Madison tonight. Only one question remains: Will 18th-ranked Wisconsin raise to the occasion, or crumble under the pressure?
Before things kick off at Camp Randall tonight, BadgerBlitz.com offers a number of things to watch during today’s game, as well as a prediction.
1. Strength versus strength
Wisconsin has one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Ohio State has gotten similar recognition for its front four on defense. When it comes down to it, the winner in the trenches will likely be the winner on the scoreboard as well.
Last year, Cameron Heyward and the Buckeyes got the best of John Moffitt, Gabe Carimi and UW offense. Six times OSU got through to sack quarterback Scott Tolzien. Two more times, the Ohio State pressure in the back field forced bad throws from Tolzien, which resulted in pick sixes.
If Moffitt, Carimi and Peter Konz can limit the effectiveness of Heyward, Brian Rolle and the Buckeyes defense, it will go a long way toward a Wisconsin victory. If not, Tolzien and the Badgers will be in for a long night.
2. Pryor focus
Two of the most impressive drives of Terrelle Pryor‘s career have come against the Badgers. The last thing J.J. Watt and the Wisconsin defense want is to let him add a third to his highlight reel.
UW shut down the duel threat quarterback effectively in two prior meetings, but he still managed a big scoring drive in each game that made an impact. As head coach Bret Bielema has emphasized since the Michigan State loss, even one or two poor plays for the Wisconsin defense could be the difference.
Defensive coordinator Dave Doeren and the Badgers will no doubt look to force Pryor’s teammates to beat them. If they keep Pryor quiet, the home team could come out on top.
3. Embrace the hype
For most of the players on the Wisconsin sideline, this will be the biggest game of their careers so far. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, are no strangers to the national spotlight.
Aside from three straight losses to OSU, the Badgers have enjoyed some success against the Buckeyes this decade. UW won three straight in Columbus before losing the last two, and they’ve given them all they can handle in Madison.
Last time the Buckeyes visited, a last-minute scoring drive combined with a game-ending interception tipped the scales in Ohio State’s favor. In 2003, the Badgers came up with the big score late. A year earlier, the Buckeyes needed an interception to seal a close victory late.
If the Badgers can embrace the hype without letting it get the best of them, they should have all the motivation needed to rise to the occasion.
4. Special delivery
Last year, both the Badgers and Buckeyes scored a touchdown on special teams. For UW, it was Chris Maragos’ 9-yard run for the near pylon on a second-quarter fake field goal. For OSU, it was a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
The chances of a game-changing touchdown coming on special teams are better than usual. Wisconsin’s coverage unit continues to have fans holding their breath every time Philip Welch boots the ball down field. With Ohio State boasting the conference’s best return average, things could get interesting.
Of course, the Buckeyes aren’t real strong on kick coverage either. With the skills of James White, David Gilreath and the potential shown by Aaron Henry, special teams could provide some fireworks on national television.
5. Clay, Kendricks, Toon
As they handed it to Minnesota last week and retained Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the seventh straight year, the Badgers got their three-headed offensive attack working as well as it has all season. When John Clay, Lance Kendricks and Nick Toon all get rolling, the Wisconsin offense becomes near impossible to stop.
Clay tallied 69 yards on just 10 carries against Ohio State in 2008, but managed just 59 yards on 20 carries a year ago. If his offensive line can withstand the Buckeyes’ pressure attack to open up some holes, the Badgers could get things rolling.
But while Clay’s effectiveness will have some impact on the outcome, the key for the UW offense will be getting Tolzien in rhythm with Kendricks and Toon. If the passing game can be effective, it will open things up for Clay and White.
Schelling’s prediction
More than any game this season, this is one I’ve gone back and forth on all week. Immediately following last week’s win, I had the Badgers by nine. Two days later, Buckeyes by three sounded pretty good.
It’s hard to bet against the No. 1 team in the nation, even in a hostile environment at Camp Randall. But it’s equally hard to expect a team that’s 40-4 at home since 2004 to go down in front it’s home crowd.
This is a must-win for the Wisconsin, and even more so for Bielema, who has yet to add a signature win to his coaching resume. For that reason, I’m taking Wisconsin to win, 24-20.
A Schelling For Your Thoughts 
You must be logged in to post a comment.