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THREAD: Starting up the film from the #Badgers' win over Minnesota this weekend.
Here's what stood out & what to take away form the contest
Here's what stood out & what to take away form the contest
2nd play of the game:
-12 personnel, #Badgers working to get ground going early
-TREMENDOUS seal by TE Ferguson, great push by RT Beach & RG Bruss gets to the second level.
-Groshek hits the hole well, but already we're seeing the Badger o-line push against the MINN front
-12 personnel, #Badgers working to get ground going early
-TREMENDOUS seal by TE Ferguson, great push by RT Beach & RG Bruss gets to the second level.
-Groshek hits the hole well, but already we're seeing the Badger o-line push against the MINN front
Very next play:
-UW establishing the ground game w/ Stokke spit as a TE
-C Sampson wins, RT Beach cuts the DT, RG Bruss pushes all the way down the field, Groshek makes a good cut & had a gaping hole to run through...Just a different story up front to start than previous games
-UW establishing the ground game w/ Stokke spit as a TE
-C Sampson wins, RT Beach cuts the DT, RG Bruss pushes all the way down the field, Groshek makes a good cut & had a gaping hole to run through...Just a different story up front to start than previous games
Here's the hole Groshek had. He had an absolute day but an unbelievable amount of credit should go to the guys up front
Later that drive:
-Easy roll and completion to Dunn
-Chandler clears the right side, Mertz makes the easy toss on the run
-This is what we saw gameplan-wise Sat.--easy, simple-read schemes for Mertz in an act to keep the O on schedule (w/ the purpose of rebuilding his confidence)
-Easy roll and completion to Dunn
-Chandler clears the right side, Mertz makes the easy toss on the run
-This is what we saw gameplan-wise Sat.--easy, simple-read schemes for Mertz in an act to keep the O on schedule (w/ the purpose of rebuilding his confidence)
1-5, +28 on the first drive:
-There was good from the O-line, but there was also some really bad
-Sampson gets beat by Dew-Treadway off the line, near turnover (Great play by 18 on MINN, but Sampson got beat)
-There was good from the O-line, but there was also some really bad
-Sampson gets beat by Dew-Treadway off the line, near turnover (Great play by 18 on MINN, but Sampson got beat)
On the previous play:
-Looked like it was a combo attack on 18 at first w/ Sampson and Seltzner (replacement LG w/ Dietzen at LT)
-18 hit the hole hard, the two linemen were unable to slow him down and let the play develop
-Looked like it was a combo attack on 18 at first w/ Sampson and Seltzner (replacement LG w/ Dietzen at LT)
-18 hit the hole hard, the two linemen were unable to slow him down and let the play develop
The next 2 plays I have real Qs about...
FIRST: 2-10, first look out of 11 personnel
-Quick first read was Dike, second (and only other) was Groshek...But he was split to the short side of the field w/o much space to do anything
-Really the coaches' early lack of confidence in 5
FIRST: 2-10, first look out of 11 personnel
-Quick first read was Dike, second (and only other) was Groshek...But he was split to the short side of the field w/o much space to do anything
-Really the coaches' early lack of confidence in 5
Then...
3-7, 11 personnel again
-Julius Davis comes in at RB & receives his first college carry...but on 3-7 when the team's bordering on scoring range, w/ Jack Dunn lead blocking?
-Minn gets a push up front, play didn't have a chance from the start
This one really puzzled me...
3-7, 11 personnel again
-Julius Davis comes in at RB & receives his first college carry...but on 3-7 when the team's bordering on scoring range, w/ Jack Dunn lead blocking?
-Minn gets a push up front, play didn't have a chance from the start
This one really puzzled me...
The run game was working really well up to this point with Groshek, but the pass plays called for Mertz paired with the 3-7 play call show a really, really simplified gameplan for 5.
If the coaching staff were confident in him at that point, they would've thrown the ball
If the coaching staff were confident in him at that point, they would've thrown the ball
MN 3-10, +36:
-Sanborn pressure, incomplete pass (yes, it was a fumble)
-But...Chenal made this play happen: both blitz, 45 occupies the RB and shields the RG, hole is free for 57 to pressure the QB
-This is a Leonhard specialty and worked all game for the #Badgers
-Sanborn pressure, incomplete pass (yes, it was a fumble)
-But...Chenal made this play happen: both blitz, 45 occupies the RB and shields the RG, hole is free for 57 to pressure the QB
-This is a Leonhard specialty and worked all game for the #Badgers
Also, someone asked me to see what the OLBs were doing/not doing in the pass rush...
Both Herbig and Burks to this point were getting shut down by the tackles. 19 especially wasn't getting push against a guy much larger than him. UW was finding their pressure success w/ the ILBs
Both Herbig and Burks to this point were getting shut down by the tackles. 19 especially wasn't getting push against a guy much larger than him. UW was finding their pressure success w/ the ILBs
Here's that play again...
-As the announcer said, a tremendous job by Chenal allowing Sanborn to get home on the stunt
That's the Jim Leonhard special
-As the announcer said, a tremendous job by Chenal allowing Sanborn to get home on the stunt
That's the Jim Leonhard special
I mentioned those single-read throws earlier...
3-3, -8:
-Mertz's read is 84 (who leaves the screen). As soon as it's taken away he tucks and runs
-But...protection is great, could've found Dunn dancing at the sticks
-This isn't on 5, it's the O staff giving him only 1 option
3-3, -8:
-Mertz's read is 84 (who leaves the screen). As soon as it's taken away he tucks and runs
-But...protection is great, could've found Dunn dancing at the sticks
-This isn't on 5, it's the O staff giving him only 1 option
The play above along with so many others points towards the coaching staff uber-simplifying everything for Mertz at QB.
These are the growing pains w/ a freshman, as down the road you hope those situations have a concept he can work through and find an open receiver
These are the growing pains w/ a freshman, as down the road you hope those situations have a concept he can work through and find an open receiver
MN 1-10, -47:
-Jack Sanborn hitting the hole and dominating the football game...
-BUT, 97 Loudermilk is who makes this play happen by pushing off the line against the RG and taking away the lateral cut. These plays don't show up on the stat sheet but he's been doing it all year
-Jack Sanborn hitting the hole and dominating the football game...
-BUT, 97 Loudermilk is who makes this play happen by pushing off the line against the RG and taking away the lateral cut. These plays don't show up on the stat sheet but he's been doing it all year
Early on: Minnesota offensive line getting pushed backwards in the run game, Wisconsin offensive line pushing forward.
But the difference in QB play between Mertz & Tanner Morgan is a reason the game was still tied
But the difference in QB play between Mertz & Tanner Morgan is a reason the game was still tied
Later that drive:
-MN wins up front, C gets to the second level on Sanborn
-Sanborn finds himself out of position w/ Chenal occupying the gap to his left
-Ibrahim is going to get his, and there were some instances of the MN o-line winning against the Badger front
-MN wins up front, C gets to the second level on Sanborn
-Sanborn finds himself out of position w/ Chenal occupying the gap to his left
-Ibrahim is going to get his, and there were some instances of the MN o-line winning against the Badger front
Also that play:
-Missed tackle by 9 Nelson, Nick Herbig with some amazing hustle to get down the field and make the tackle
-Missed tackle by 9 Nelson, Nick Herbig with some amazing hustle to get down the field and make the tackle
The MN TD:
-At first glance it looks like 45 didn't pick up the RB coming out of the backfield, but upon further review everybody was accounted for & it was S Wilder's assignment (meaning he was WAY late in rotating)
-Great call by MN with Burrell blitzing https://twitter.com/benzkenney/status/1340411127205945344
-At first glance it looks like 45 didn't pick up the RB coming out of the backfield, but upon further review everybody was accounted for & it was S Wilder's assignment (meaning he was WAY late in rotating)
-Great call by MN with Burrell blitzing https://twitter.com/benzkenney/status/1340411127205945344
The TD was just a great play call against the coverage & set the #Badgers showed. RZ efficiency was a HUGE key coming into the game, and so far MN was 1-1 in those situations
Next UW drive:
-Groshek keeps churning behind a winning offensive line
-Easy rolls/completions for 5. Still a basic gameplan
-Groshek TD
-Groshek keeps churning behind a winning offensive line
-Easy rolls/completions for 5. Still a basic gameplan
-Groshek TD
Groshek TD:
-Follows FB Chenal? through the hole, C wins, RG wins big-time, LG pulls and wins, FB wins, REALLY poor job by MN safeties getting in the right position
-We saw Watson be unable to hit the hole in the same scenario last wk
(sorry about the sirens I live in a city)
-Follows FB Chenal? through the hole, C wins, RG wins big-time, LG pulls and wins, FB wins, REALLY poor job by MN safeties getting in the right position
-We saw Watson be unable to hit the hole in the same scenario last wk
(sorry about the sirens I live in a city)
This is the Nakia Watson play I'm talking about
(It's crystal-clear why Groshek was the lead man on Saturday with no Berger) https://twitter.com/benzkenney/status/1338514294149947396
(It's crystal-clear why Groshek was the lead man on Saturday with no Berger) https://twitter.com/benzkenney/status/1338514294149947396
Leo. Chenal.
Dude was an absolute animal on Saturday
Dude was an absolute animal on Saturday
MN 2-12, -49, 10 personnel:
-Really rough first half for Caesar Williams (got beat off the line all night by MN wideouts)
-But...UW was REALLY aggressive against Ibrahim all day, giving Morgan 1v1 matchups everywhere down the field
-Really rough first half for Caesar Williams (got beat off the line all night by MN wideouts)
-But...UW was REALLY aggressive against Ibrahim all day, giving Morgan 1v1 matchups everywhere down the field
The secondary really hasn't been the same w/o Rachad Wildgoose.
Got burned all day against Iowa's Smith-Marsette & MN found success with those quick throws all day long w/ their receivers getting separation in every situation
Got burned all day against Iowa's Smith-Marsette & MN found success with those quick throws all day long w/ their receivers getting separation in every situation
Next play was a TFL by Sanborn & Chenal.
UW had them playing downhill against the run all night (and it worked for the most part). But...MN was able to find success throwing to the middle of the field & UW's corners weren't able to stop it (except for the Burrell INT)
UW had them playing downhill against the run all night (and it worked for the most part). But...MN was able to find success throwing to the middle of the field & UW's corners weren't able to stop it (except for the Burrell INT)
MN 2-10, +29:
-Burks makes a TD-saving tackle, choosing to follow Ibrahim instead of Morgan
First time his name has been called
-Burks makes a TD-saving tackle, choosing to follow Ibrahim instead of Morgan
First time his name has been called
MN 2-goal from the 2:
-Ibrahim scores but it's called back for holding
-99 Isaiah Mullens!!! won, but Ibrahaim would've scored without the hold
Next play...Morgan stares down his WR on play action, Burrell reads it perfectly, INT (UW gets its first RZ win)
-Ibrahim scores but it's called back for holding
-99 Isaiah Mullens!!! won, but Ibrahaim would've scored without the hold
Next play...Morgan stares down his WR on play action, Burrell reads it perfectly, INT (UW gets its first RZ win)
Few things on the Burrell INT:
-Ibrahim is a remarkable pass blocker (he has an NFL-ready game)
-Just an impressive, veteran move by Burrell who saw Morgan telegraph the pass.
As I said, RZ execution was critical on both sides. #Badgers and MN now tied up 1-1 in those situations
-Ibrahim is a remarkable pass blocker (he has an NFL-ready game)
-Just an impressive, veteran move by Burrell who saw Morgan telegraph the pass.
As I said, RZ execution was critical on both sides. #Badgers and MN now tied up 1-1 in those situations
I've seen a lot of FR mistakes by Dike, but here is some of the really good (this gets you excited about his development & potential):
-Gets the corner turned, makes a remarkable catch on a really poor delivery from the QB
-Gets the corner turned, makes a remarkable catch on a really poor delivery from the QB
This play, however, again shows the bad from 5 as his back foot throw is really inaccurate. His confidence and mechanics are not where they were to start the season
(a full and semi-normal offseason will do wonders to fix both)
(a full and semi-normal offseason will do wonders to fix both)
The ensuing 2nd-12 play should put the "but his top RB and top 2 WRs are out" argument to rest.
-Designed roll, protection holds, Dike is running WIDE OPEN at the sticks (and even waving his hands)
-Mertz was focused on 84 who was triple-covered and decides to throw it away...
-Designed roll, protection holds, Dike is running WIDE OPEN at the sticks (and even waving his hands)
-Mertz was focused on 84 who was triple-covered and decides to throw it away...
Jack. Sanborn. Ruining. Offensive. Plays.
Rinse and repeat.
Rinse and repeat.
Leo. Chenal. Ruining. Offensive. Plays.
Rinse and repeat.
Rinse and repeat.
I don't know why Minnesota didn't attack the middle of the field more on Saturday. Chenal and Sanborn were being unbelievably aggressive (plus the safety at times) and there were winnable 1v1 matchups all over the field.
When they did it, it worked. They just didn't do it enough
When they did it, it worked. They just didn't do it enough
#Badgers' final drive before half:
-More makeable throws, more misses by the QB
-Still a bright spot seen, though, w/ his connection to Jake Ferguson
-More makeable throws, more misses by the QB
-Still a bright spot seen, though, w/ his connection to Jake Ferguson
Pass No. 1:
Wonderful timing, wonderful pace, wonderful placement--> first down to Ferguson.
This is the good
Wonderful timing, wonderful pace, wonderful placement--> first down to Ferguson.
This is the good
Pass No. 2:
-Great design & timing of the call, Dike has 3-4 steps running free
This is the not good
-Great design & timing of the call, Dike has 3-4 steps running free
This is the not good
Finally, pass No. 3:
-Jack Dunn (as he did much of the day) found a hole in the defense past the sticks
This, again, is the not good (But these are okay misses for a freshman to be making because they're easily-correctable). The confidence just isn't there right now
-Jack Dunn (as he did much of the day) found a hole in the defense past the sticks
This, again, is the not good (But these are okay misses for a freshman to be making because they're easily-correctable). The confidence just isn't there right now
I'm not even going to talk about the 2 designed Chase Wolf runs to start the half because I have zero explanation for what was going on
MN 2-8 from the +40:
-Isaiahh Loudermilk gets on the stat sheet, but he'd been breaking through like this all game
-LG and C just totally whiff
I don't really know what the Gopher o-line was trying to do
-Isaiahh Loudermilk gets on the stat sheet, but he'd been breaking through like this all game
-LG and C just totally whiff
I don't really know what the Gopher o-line was trying to do
MN gets to the RZ but settles for a FG.
That makes it 2-1 #Badgers in those situations. In previous weeks all of those opportunities turned into TDs
That makes it 2-1 #Badgers in those situations. In previous weeks all of those opportunities turned into TDs
Almost missed this, but look at Jack Sanborn pick up & run with the Gopher running back.
That's an NFL-caliber linebacker, ladies and gentlemen
That's an NFL-caliber linebacker, ladies and gentlemen
UW 3-7 from the -28:
-THIS is the Graham Mertz we saw Week 1 (perfect ball outside the numbers...s/o Jack Dunn who absolutely balled out)
-I'm mad because he really found his rhythm this drive and we saw the confidence returning...but his night was ended short with a concussion
-THIS is the Graham Mertz we saw Week 1 (perfect ball outside the numbers...s/o Jack Dunn who absolutely balled out)
-I'm mad because he really found his rhythm this drive and we saw the confidence returning...but his night was ended short with a concussion
Later that drive:
-5 finds 84 down the middle of the field. Ball thrown where only Ferguson could get it. The good reps were starting to pile together as the #Badgers moved down the field
-Mertz is injured and Chase Wolf enters the game
-5 finds 84 down the middle of the field. Ball thrown where only Ferguson could get it. The good reps were starting to pile together as the #Badgers moved down the field
-Mertz is injured and Chase Wolf enters the game
UW TD:
-UW used Dunn sprinting to the numbers all day (mostly beginning with him in motion)
-Great job by Dike driving his CB down the field
-UW didn't use the middle of the field very much so idk why MN never chose to play up on Dunn & take away his sprint out
-s/o Chase Wolf
-UW used Dunn sprinting to the numbers all day (mostly beginning with him in motion)
-Great job by Dike driving his CB down the field
-UW didn't use the middle of the field very much so idk why MN never chose to play up on Dunn & take away his sprint out
-s/o Chase Wolf
Ensuing MN possession, Sanborn and Leo Chenal yet again singlehandedly ruined the drive
So Garrett Groshek had gotten the ball 5 TIMES since his explosive 1st quarter (and the #Badgers didn't find much offensive success).
With Wolf in they returned to him and it worked, a lot
With Wolf in they returned to him and it worked, a lot
LOOK AT GARRETT GROSHEK GET HIS LEGS CHURNING
This is what you get with Wolf at QB fresh off the bench:
-RT gets beat bad, Wolf’s eyes never go to the middle where Jake Ferguson was running free at the sticks
-Good stop by Sori-Marin, but Wolf had time to step up instead of drift and find his TE
-RT gets beat bad, Wolf’s eyes never go to the middle where Jake Ferguson was running free at the sticks
-Good stop by Sori-Marin, but Wolf had time to step up instead of drift and find his TE
Ensuing MN drive:
-Rough, rough day for Williams at CB. When he played way off--couldn't close the gap. When he pressed--WRs found separation
-GREAT close and tackle short of the sticks by Deron Harrell (first time I've mentioned his name)
-Chenal misses Morgan on 4-5
-MINN TD
-Rough, rough day for Williams at CB. When he played way off--couldn't close the gap. When he pressed--WRs found separation
-GREAT close and tackle short of the sticks by Deron Harrell (first time I've mentioned his name)
-Chenal misses Morgan on 4-5
-MINN TD
2-Goal for Minnesota:
-Wilder gets burned but the WR just drops the ball
Wasn’t 18’s best day
-Wilder gets burned but the WR just drops the ball
Wasn’t 18’s best day
