Wisconsin's defensive line is without both projected starters at defensive end

[Franisdaman]

Achilles injury, knee surgery sideline two leading Wisconsin defensive linemen
9:49 PM CT

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  Adam RittenbergESPN Staff Writer

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Wisconsin's defensive line is without both projected starters at defensive end following an injury and a spring surgery.

Badgers coach Paul Chryst told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday that junior Garrett Rand recently suffered an Achilles' injury during workouts and is out indefinitely. Rand was set to move to end from nose tackle, where he has played the past two seasons. Chryst also said sophomore defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk underwent knee surgery this spring.

"Isaiahh is going through [rehab] and we'll see where he is at with it," Chryst told the newspaper at a golf outing in River Falls, Wisconsin. "Isaiahh has been doing more, which is good. ... Garrett will be further away. I haven't gotten the official update."

Wisconsin loses three defensive ends from last year in Conor Sheehy, Alec James and Chikwe Obasih. Rand played in all 14 games for the Badgers, recording 13 tackles, while Loudermilk recorded 11 tackles in 11 games.

At the end of spring practice, Rand and Loudermilk were Wisconsin's projected starters at end alongside veteran nose tackle Olive Sagapolu.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

If memory serves (and mine usually doesn't), Wisky was missing some LB's last year due to pre-season injuries. So, the Hawks were able to expose them to the tune of about 25 yards of offense, instead of 10.

I don't know if Wisky qualifies as "plug & play", but they're close.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

So...keep running between the tackles? or work the outside and challenge the backup's contain skills?

Scratch where it itches

 

[93hawkeye]

Buuuuuut, Wisky fans will tell you: Leonhard=genius. Top 10 defense no matter what.

 

[01Hawk05]

Buuuuuut, Wisky fans will tell you: Leonhard=genius. Top 10 defense no matter what.

Well, until they prove otherwise I think their fans are probably onto something. Yeah, I remember reading about a couple LBers they lost last summer. Didn’t matter.

That’s the difference between Wisconsin and Nebraska fans. Wisconsin actually can back it up.

 

[Dick Rambone]

Thats bad for the Badgers and the young men, Hope a full recovery for both.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

That nose tackle is the key to their front. As long as he’s in the lineup, they’ll be fine.

 

[pink shizzle]

I really wish Sagapolu had gone pro, that dude is a manimal.

They'll do what they do every year when they have injuries, which is put in some backup player and still have a ridiculous defense.

 

[LeftyLarry]

If memory serves (and mine usually doesn't), Wisky was missing some LB's last year due to pre-season injuries. So, the Hawks were able to expose them to the tune of about 25 yards of offense, instead of 10.

I don't know if Wisky qualifies as "plug & play", but they're close.

Yea, we had so many Linebacker injuries BUT we had so many Walk-ons and great players behind those guys, I told you guys it would NOT be an issue.
Not the case so much with the DE's.
We graduated three this past season and a fourth quit the team for unknown reasons, probably lack of PT.
We do have some talented walk ons but this is more problematic than losing the linebackers last season.
On the other hand, our DL's just occupy blockers mostly so guys like Aaron Vopal who is 6'6 300 lbs can step in for Loudermilk and Kraig Howe who has been buried can step up for Rand.
We certainly aren't deep at DE like we were at Linebacker..
It isn't good for Bucky.

 

[LeftyLarry]

Buuuuuut, Wisky fans will tell you: Leonhard=genius. Top 10 defense no matter what.

This is a huge Test for JL.
We graduated a major portion of the defense and many are with NFL teams.
A lot will depend on the new DB's, few of whom are battle tested.
That being said JL is very, very smart.
Badgers should score a lot next season and should kick great.
We'll see if we can stop people from doing the same.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Yea, we had so many Linebacker injuries BUT we had so many Walk-ons and great players behind those guys, I told you guys it would NOT be an issue.
Not the case so much with the DE's.
We graduated three this past season and a fourth quit the team for unknown reasons, probably lack of PT.
We do have some talented walk ons but this is more problematic than losing the linebackers last season.
On the other hand, our DL's just occupy blockers mostly so guys like Aaron Vopal who is 6'6 300 lbs can step in for Loudermilk and Kraig Howe who has been buried can step up for Rand.
We certainly aren't deep at DE like we were at Linebacker..
It isn't good for Bucky.

Well, any chance Iowa can crack 100 yards of O this year?

 

[LeftyLarry]

Well, any chance Iowa can crack 100 yards of O this year?

I'm afraid the answer is YES.
We could have some issues but in JIM LEONHARD we trust.
You are fortunate to catch us early.

 

[Pepperman]

Is Iowa going to have the ball for more than 20 minutes total? My understanding is Wisconsin's OL is a group of bulldozers and they're going to control the ball rather easily. Thankfully, Iowa's strength is the DL, but man if those guys get to the second level we can forget about any night time upset.

Ever since that fake punt.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

If memory serves (and mine usually doesn't), Wisky was missing some LB's last year due to pre-season injuries. So, the Hawks were able to expose them to the tune of about 25 yards of offense, instead of 10.

I don't know if Wisky qualifies as "plug & play", but they're close.

Yep. They'll replace them with two other a**holes nobody has heard of, even on their own team, and those guys will probably end up being All-Big Ten because reasons.

 

[Carlton]

Thats bad for the Badgers and the young men, Hope a full recovery for both.

Thanks, Dick.

 

[buckymel]

Yep. They'll replace them with two other a**holes nobody has heard of, even on their own team, and those guys will probably end up being All-Big Ten because reasons.

I knew you are a big UW fan.

 

[buckymel]

It looks like Rand is lost for the year and Loudermilk might come back at some point during conference play.

 

[bucky44]

That nose tackle is the key to their front. As long as he’s in the lineup, they’ll be fine.

UW played a ton of 2 down lineman sets last year. I’d guess that NTs played about 50% of snaps. It’s probably the least important position on the front. There are always 2 DEs on the field though

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I knew you are a big UW fan.

Of them losing maybe.....

 

[Hawks_Rock_12]

Buuuuuut, Wisky fans will tell you: Leonhard=genius. Top 10 defense no matter what.

Comparing J Leonhard and BF, who do you think had the better first year ? I'm far from a Wisky lover but Leonhard can coach.

 

[bumpstock]

I'm sure Loudermilk will rehab nicely, and continue his career with a medical redshirt. Rand, however, is terrible news. Achilles injuries fall into a special category like no other.

 

[GoldandBold]

These two programs mirror each other. Many Hawkeye coaches found homes in WI. They are smash mouth big ten football. Iowa has the highest of respect for WI. It usually comes down to injuries or a specials teams play to win. I love this game. Many think Ohio St and Mich represent the best of the big ten, nope...Iowa vrs WI.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Is Iowa going to have the ball for more than 20 minutes total? My understanding is Wisconsin's OL is a group of bulldozers and they're going to control the ball rather easily. Thankfully, Iowa's strength is the DL, but man if those guys get to the second level we can forget about any night time upset.

Ever since that fake punt.

I know mock drafts for 2019 can be bit misleading but saw 2 big sites had 3 Wisconsin OL going in 1st rd. That’s insane. Even if have 3 in top 2 or 3 rounds is pretty impressive.

 

[LeftyLarry]

Is Iowa going to have the ball for more than 20 minutes total? My understanding is Wisconsin's OL is a group of bulldozers and they're going to control the ball rather easily. Thankfully, Iowa's strength is the DL, but man if those guys get to the second level we can forget about any night time upset.

Ever since that fake punt.

Badgers will also throw the ball better than we have in a very long time this season.
We've never had this many capable WR's and Hornibrook is an emerging QB.

 

[LeftyLarry]

UW played a ton of 2 down lineman sets last year. I’d guess that NTs played about 50% of snaps. It’s probably the least important position on the front. There are always 2 DEs on the field though

This year we will play the NT's more often, maybe even as DE's.

 

[bagdropper]

I used to doubt whether UW could replace losses year after year. They'll be fine until they prove otherwise.

 

[Buck2427]

These two programs mirror each other. Many Hawkeye coaches found homes in WI. They are smash mouth big ten football. Iowa has the highest of respect for WI. It usually comes down to injuries or a specials teams play to win. I love this game. Many think Ohio St and Mich represent the best of the big ten, nope...Iowa vrs WI.

GoldandBold, I agree with you to some degree, the Ohio State/TTUN game is not what it used to be! We haven't lost to them in 6 years, the last time being 2011(by far our worst season 6-7) As a Buckeye fan , I find myself getting pumped for the Penn State and Mich State match-ups, far more than I do for Scum. Don't get me wrong when that third Saturday in November comes around I get get excited and it's still one of the best rivalries in the BIG and in sports, but I know we are going to win.....

 

[Pepperman]

Badgers will also throw the ball better than we have in a very long time this season.
We've never had this many capable WR's and Hornibrook is an emerging QB.

Something tells me the Hawks are going to get the crap kicked out of them in this game.

 

[Hawkdome]

With bucky turnovers this year is going to be a hawkeye upset as long as this is a night game.

 

[Hawkdome]

Bucky will have some critical players out for this game.

 

[grayhair81]

UW played a ton of 2 down lineman sets last year. I’d guess that NTs played about 50% of snaps. It’s probably the least important position on the front. There are always 2 DEs on the field though

If they are playing without a nose, they are vulnerable as hell between the guards and I don't care how good the ILBs are. It is a simple numbers game.
I have watched the Steelers run a 3-4 for a long time. Their defense has never been the same since Casey Hampton retired. The NG not only occupies two blockers, he collapses the pocket consistently if he is good enough.
Nose is absolutely, positively NOT the least important position on the field.

 

[Carlton]

Injuries can happen at any time (Rand, Loudermilk) but our nose is healthy now. Having experienced a mere irritated AT myself, I would guess DE Rand will take a medical this year. There is hope that DE Loudermilk will play this year, but when will depend on his rehab.

 

[Harbinger273]

Could be a significant factor. Does Loudermilk hold out til there are only 4 possible games left for him to play in so he can get the redshirt through the new rules?
In my mind, Wisconsin has earned consideration to win the West and be top 3 in the B1G year in and year out no matter what happens in the offseason. It will not matter and We will be fortunate to beat them this season.

 

[Hawkdome]

Yes BF needs to tweak our blocking scheme to figure out a way to move the chains on that 3/4 defense at least a little bit.

Maybe we could turn the lights out at kinnick when they have the ball on offense to make it hard to throw. Then put ten in the box to defend the run. Hopefully it is a night game. That will give me time to put something in their water bottles. I almost got caught when i did that to osu last year.

 

[bucky44]

If they are playing without a nose, they are vulnerable as hell between the guards and I don't care how good the ILBs are. It is a simple numbers game.
I have watched the Steelers run a 3-4 for a long time. Their defense has never been the same since Casey Hampton retired. The NG not only occupies two blockers, he collapses the pocket consistently if he is good enough.
Nose is absolutely, positively NOT the least important position on the field.

Feel free to go back and watch UW last season. Leonhard employed tons of two man fronts consisting solely of DEs. A nose is nowhere near as important as in pro football due to style of play.

 

[Hawkdome]

Feel free to go back and watch UW last season. Leonhard employed tons of two man fronts consisting solely of DEs. A nose is nowhere near as important as in pro football due to style of play.

.......
Have to give credit to you guys what ever your doing sure is working. Hope to catch up to you guys sometime again.

 

[JoelBittner]

If you're a member of the B1G, it doesn't matter who you are, you're going to be dealing with injuries thruout the year. It's a question of preparedness.

Iowa has "next man in" and it usually works pretty well. Same can be said for Wisky.

 

[Hawkdome]

Injuries seem to hurt iowa on the oline once two guys on the oline go down like last year. Our zone blocking scheme is to easy to distrupt for a team like Wisconsin that plays a fast 3/4 defense. It may be recruiting a few to many undersized lineman that need like three years to develope. I am hoping that coach tom can fix that in recruiting. More 4 star like players please. Or a new blocking scheme. What do you all think?

 

[Hawkdome]

I know kirk will stick with the zone blocking scheme but maybe coach tom can tweak it a bit. I am more of a defensive guy so what do you oline gurus say? Can tom recruit us out of this ?

 

[millhawk]

We need more man to man blocking schemes. Our tackles should be improved. Wirfs, Jackson, Render and Reynolds are good players. We need Levi to step up big time but I have my doubts because of health. Banwart and MK are promising but might be a year away. I like the group and pray for an unusual healthy year.