Wisconsin defense differently dominant

IOWA CITY - Wisconsin's complete front seven walked the field on senior day last year, leaving behind an inexperienced and overhauled defense entering the 2014 season.

Whether it was the fear of embarrassment or simply motivation in their opener against Southeastern Conference powerhouse LSU, Wisconsin's new defenders committed toward rapid improvement. Responsibility and leadership developed organically, and the defense matured throughout training camp. By late August, the defense had gelled and was prepared.

'When we got back on campus on Jan. 20, on every board, every motivational thing was about getting ready to go down to Houston, get ready to play LSU,” said Wisconsin linebacker Joe Schobert, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. 'It was a huge game, the biggest one we've opened with the last I don't know how many years. It definitely has helped everybody get on board a little faster, train a little harder, study a little harder, and I think that's a key why our defense is maybe doing a little better.”

The No. 16 Badgers (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) didn't win that day, but the off-season preparation propelled the team to reach heights few expected. Wisconsin leads the nation in total defense at 244 yards a game. The Badgers rank third in scoring defense (15.3 points) and passing defense (147.3 yards) and fifth in rushing defense (96.7 yards).

Over the years burly linemen like former defensive end J.J. Watt have led Wisconsin's defense, yet that's the exact opposite brand of this year's edition. The Badgers use a 3-4 hybrid but often employ two down linemen and four linebackers and five defensive backs. Surprisingly, in the physical Big Ten, it has excelled. Such was the case last week against Nebraska.

No. 16 Wisconsin applied constant pressure to the Cornhuskers from every direction. Linebackers blitzed regularly against both the run and the pass, which forced mistakes in blocking patterns. Backside defenders collapsed on the zone read but kept contain. The smaller, quicker defenders avoided blocks, took good angles and penetrated Nebraska's backfield. Every move was aggressive and measured.

The statistics were nearly as stunning as the Badgers' 59-24 victory. The Cornhuskers rushed for 2.6 yards per carry. Wisconsin forced five fumbles with four recoveries and recorded eight tackles for loss with four sacks. Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong completed just six of 18 passes for 62 yards and one interception.

'I don't think anybody is really surprised on our defense, on our team,” Schobert said. 'We have the potential to be this good. We have a lot of athletic guys, a lot of playmakers on the defense. Everybody is doing their job, which allows people to make plays. I think that's the biggest key every week. Somebody different steps up. That's the biggest strength of this defense; we have playmakers in every spot.”

Officially, Wisconsin lists Chikwe Obasih (268 pounds) and Warren Herring (283) as the starting defensive ends and Konrad Zagzebski (277) as the team's nose guard. At least two are on the field at the same time and their mission is to tie up the blockers and free up the linebackers to make plays. 'That's the biggest key to this defense,” Schobert said.

The down linemen combined for five tackles last week, while the starting linebackers registered 38.

'Selfless a good word for this defense overall,” Wisconsin Coach Gary Andersen said. 'They don't sit there and pay attention to the individual numbers to the point where it's irritating or a distraction at all. I want them to go make plays and I want themselves to look at themselves as a playmaker. They're working hard at it.”

Injuries slowed the defense early in the season, especially against LSU when both Zagzebski (first quarter) and Herring (late third quarter) went down with injuries. When Herring left that game with a knee injury, Wisconsin led 24-13 and held the Tigers to just 49 rushing yards on 29 carries. In the fourth quarter, LSU pounded Wisconsin for 77 yards on 18 carries.

Herring missed five games before returning against Maryland on Oct. 25. His return has elevated the Badgers' defense to new heights. Wisconsin has allowed 45 points (while scoring 184) and an average of just 181 yards a game.

'Getting everybody back for that game was probably the turning point for the defense to be able to click,” Andersen said. 'Then we've kind of been on a roll.”

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