Tag: badgers football

Former Badger elevated to San Francisco 49ers’ starting running back

Former Badger elevated to San Francisco 49ers’ starting running back

Former Wisconsin Badgers running back Isaac Guerendo is in line to serve as the San Francisco 49ers starting running back for at least four weeks.

The news arrives on the heels of injury updates to all-world running back Christian McCaffrey and backup Jordan Mason.

McCaffrey, who suffered a PCL injury during ‘Sunday Night Football’ against the Buffalo Bills, will be out for at least six weeks. Mason, meanwhile, suffered an ankle injury and will also head to the injury reserve for at least four weeks.

The unfortunate sequence of events for the 49ers running back room opens an opportunity for Guerendo to serve as the starter.

Against the Bills, Guerendo showcased what he’s capable of with a 19-yard rushing touchdown in the snowy conditions. He finished with five touches for 16 yards and the score. He’s up to 42 carries, 246 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie NFL season in a relatively limited role.

In five years in Madison, Guerendo registered 99 carries, 582 yards and six touchdowns in 27 games. Several injuries and the presence of future NFL draftee Braelon Allen prevented the Clayton, Indiana native from taking off as a Badger.

He did, however, display his potential in his 2023 season with the Louisville Cardinals. The 6-foot-1 playmaker tallied 810 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns before making the jump to the NFL.

Barring an outside signing, Guerendo will lace up as San Francisco’s starter on Dec. 8 vs. the Chicago Bears. At 5-7 and last in the NFC West, Kyle Shanahan’s group is in desperate need of a win.

Three Badgers among leading vote-getters for 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games

Three Badgers among leading vote-getters for 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games

Three former Wisconsin Badgers were among the early leading vote-getters for the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games on Monday.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and Detroit Lions guard Kevin Zeitler were among 50 players listed as top vote-getters in the early voting window on Monday.

Watt leads the AFC’s outside linebacker voting, Van Ginkel leads the NFC’s outside linebacker vote count and Zeitler spearheads the NFC’s offensive guard ballot at this stage of the voting process.

When voting commenced, a total of 18 former Badgers were featured on the ballot. On offense, the most notable included quarterback Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers), running back Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts), running back Braelon Allen (New York Jets) and full back Alec Ingold (Miami Dolphins).

Defensively, 11 Badger playmakers were featured alongside Watt and Van Ginkel. Surprisingly, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Baun did not scratch the early list.

Given the talent at his passion, Baun’s omission isn’t much a surprise. Ironically, both outside linebackers are Badgers.

Van Ginkel accounts for 59 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks and a league-leading two interceptions returned for a touchdown. Watt, a perennial All-Pro, has registered 9.5 sacks, a league-best 16 tackles for loss and NFL-high five forced fumbles in 12 appearances this season.

Zeitler, meanwhile, is one of the more valuable guards in Detroit’s offensive line responsible for blocking for running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Watt boasts six Pro Bowl appearances, Zeitler was selected for the event in 2023 and Van Ginkel has yet to make a Pro Bowl.

FAU fires potential Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator candidate

FAU fires potential Wisconsin Badgers offensive coordinator candidate

Florida Atlantic fired coach Tom Herman on Monday.

Herman, who led the Owls to a 6-16 mark since he took over in 2023, was let go after losing in gut-wrenching fashion to Temple on Nov. 16. The loss dropped FAU to 2-8 on the season and 0-6 in AAC play.

The news, however, is notable for those invested in Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator situation. After firing offensive coordinator Phil Longo on Saturday, the Badgers are in the market for a new play-caller.

That’s where Herman can step in. The former Texas Longhorns coach served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Ohio State from 2012-14, the same years Fickell was the co-defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes.

It’s safe to say Herman’s recent resume with Florida Atlantic sells himself short. At Ohio State, he earned the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. He made the jump from Ohio State’s OC to the Texas top job in just three years. While his tenure since that point has trended negatively, he remains one of the well-thought-of offensive minds in the sport.

If hired by UW, Herman’s relationship with Fickell could prove the catalyst. As of Nov. 18, Wisconsin is reeling and in desperate need of rejuvenation. Herman could bring that type of spark if awarded the opportunity.

Former Wisconsin linebacker snatches first interception of 2024 NFL season

Former Wisconsin linebacker snatches first interception of 2024 season

Former Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Edwards recorded his first interception of the 2024 season on Sunday vs. the New England Patriots.

The play arrived on a first-down sequence early in the first quarter of the Chicago Bears’ game vs. New England. When Patriots quarterback Drake Maye rolled to his right and tossed a jump pass to tight end Austin Hooper, Edwards leaped, snagged the attempt and skillfully got both feet down to secure the interception.

The play flipped possession in Chicago’s favor, but the Bears were unable to orchestrate a scoring drive and punted after three plays.

Nonetheless, the play encapsulates Edwards’ versatility. At 6-foot-1, 241 pounds, Edwards is excellent outside of the hashes. Whether it be making a tackle in the open field against a dynamic running back or defending a play-action pass, Edwards has the ability to alter the course of a game.

The former Badger led all defenders with 13 total tackles, including seven solo. Through nine games this season, the UW alumnus is responsible for 73 total tackles, 42 solo tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, two pass deflections and four tackles for loss.

After spending three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards has become nothing short of a game-changer in Chicago He posted 155 total tackles and a career-high 2.5 sacks in 17 games during the 2023 season.

Edwards will again suit up at linebacker next week alongside Tremaine Edmunds and Jack Sanborn in the Bears’ tenth game of the season against the Green Bay Packers on Nov. 17.

Wisconsin out of latest US LBM Coaches Poll after Penn State loss

Wisconsin out of latest US LBM Coaches Poll after Penn State loss

After thumping Purdue, Rutgers and Northwestern in three straight weeks, Wisconsin fell to No. 3 Penn State 28-13 Saturday at Camp Randall. The loss moved the Badgers to 5-3 on the season and 3-2 in Big Ten play.

After being listed in the ‘receiving votes’ section of last week’s US LBM Coaches Poll, Luke Fickell’s team failed to make the cut for this week’s hierarchy. A panel of head coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision schools construct the US LBM Coaches Poll, a weekly list composed throughout the college football regular season.

While Wisconsin did receive three votes ahead of Week 9 and appeared to move itself into top 25 consideration, UW’s loss to Penn State has altered its likelihood of landing anywhere near the list for the remainder of the season.

Oregon remains the No. 1 team on the US LBM Coaches Poll, followed by No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 5 Miami-FL. A total of five Big Ten squads cracked Oct. 27’s installation of the list.

Here’s a look at the full Week 9 US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports:

Rank Team Record Points
1 Oregon Ducks 8-0 1,349 (53)
2 Georgia Bulldogs 6-1 1,270 (1)
3 Penn State Nittany Lions 7-0 1,239
4 Ohio State Buckeyes 6-1 1,160
5 Miami Hurricanes 7-1 1,136
6 Texas Longhorns 7-1 1,096
7 Tennessee Volunteers 6-1 987
8 Clemson Tigers 6-1 942
9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 7-1 853
10 Iowa State Cyclones 7-0 846
11 Texas A&M Aggies 7-1 806
12 BYU Cougars 8-0 786
13 Indiana Hoosiers 8-0 741
14 Alabama Crimson Tide 6-2 619
15 Kansas State Wildcats 7-1 533
16 LSU Tigers 6-2 530
17 Pittsburgh Panthers 7-0 495
18 Ole Miss Rebels 6-2 475
19 Boise State Broncos 6-1 459
20 SMU Mustangs 7-1 346
21 Army Black Knights 7-0 278
22 Washington State Cougars 7-1 160
23 Missouri Tigers 6-2 114
24 Illinois Fighting Illini 6-2 89
25 Memphis Tigers 7-1 76

Schools Dropped Out

No. 24 Navy; No. 25 Vanderbilt

Others Receiving Votes

Colorado 75; Tulane 27; Louisiana 14; Vanderbilt 13; Navy 10; UNLV 7; Arizona State 5; Virginia Tech 3; Duke 3; Arkansas 3; Louisville 2; James Madison 2; Michigan 1;

The Badgers will face the Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Iowa, on Nov. 2. A win on the road would certainly bolster Wisconsin’s case to land in a respectable bowl game this winter. Two weeks later, the No. 1 Oregon Ducks will be in Madison on Nov. 16.

Wisconsin’s game vs. Iowa is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT on Nov. 2. The game will be aired on NBC.

WATCH: Wisconsin’s best plays from 42-7 win over Rutgers

WATCH: Wisconsin’s best plays from 42-7 win over Rutgers

The Wisconsin Badgers dominated the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 42-7 in Piscataway, New Jersey, on Saturday.

A week after demolishing the Purdue Boilermakers 52-6 in Week 6 at Camp Randall, the Badgers rolled to a 42-7 triumph for their fourth win of the 2024 campaign. UW registered 557 total yards on offense and allowed Rutgers to only 273.

Wisconsin’s first pair of highlights came on the team’s first drive of the opening quarter when quarterback Braedyn Locke tossed a 34-yard dime to wide receiver Vinny Anthony II before hitting veteran pass-catcher Will Pauling for a 16-yard score just two plays later.

UW running back Tawee Walker would find the end zone on Wisconsin’s next scoring drive in the first half to push the Badgers ahead 14-0. Walker would add a 55-yard rush to his Saturday afternoon output en route to 201 total yards and three rushing touchdowns to spearhead Wisconsin’s rushing attack.

After failing to add to their total before the half, Luke Fickell’s squad added 28 more points in the second half to seal the deal. Anthony II reeled in a 47-yard catch, running back Cade Yacamelli was responsible for a 45-yard rush and freshman running back Darrion Dupree scored his first career rushing touchdown in the blowout.

Wisconsin will look to build off its momentum in its next test against the Northwestern Wildcats in Evanston, Illinois, on Oct. 19. If the team continues to blend its splash plays through the air with its dependable rushing unit, they should secure their third conference win in a row next weekend.

Wisconsin legend dominates for Steelers in Week 6 vs. Raiders

Wisconsin legend dominates for Steelers in Week 6 vs. Raiders

Wisconsin defensive legend T.J. Watt registered another monster performance in a 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

A week after posting eight tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in a narrow loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Watt forced a pair of fumbles and notched five solo tackles against the Raiders this weekend.

Watt, who turned 30 years old on Oct. 11, is as dominant as ever in his eighth season as a member of the Steelers. His first forced fumble arrived late in the second quarter when he executed a perfect punch against Raiders’ running back Dylan Laube.

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1845573353312268487

Fellow former Badger Keeanu Benton recovered the fumble to flip possession back in Pittsburgh’s favor. The ensuing possession resulted in a three-yard rushing touchdown from Justin Fields and pushed the Steelers ahead 12-7.

Watt’s second forced fumble came within 30 seconds of the fourth frame when Ameer Abdullah attempted a one-yard rush to bring the Raiders within one score. The former Badger, however, had other plans.

Here’s the full sequence:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1845591785474584891

On the season, Watt has accumulated 25 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year recorded his 100th sack of his career a week ago. He and the Steelers will continue their 2024 campaign against the New York Jets on Oct. 20.

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle flashes potential in Steelers’ preseason finale

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle flashes potential in Steelers’ preseason finale

Former Wisconsin Badgers nose tackle Keeanu Benton flashed his defensive brilliance in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason finale vs. the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

While Benton logged 0.5 sacks and an assisted tackle, his one game-wrecking play personified what he can bring to Pittsburgh’s defensive table this season.

Lined up just inside the right hash, the 2022 third-team All-Big Ten member manhandled Lions’ offensive lineman Duke Clemens to reach quarterback Hendon Hooker.

After being initially denied, Benton fakes right before tossing Clemens off him and bursting down the middle of the line to get a hand on Hooker before his Steeler teammates finished the sack.

As a 309-pound tackle, Benton’s nimbleness in open space is excellent. With that type of strength, his quickness with his cleats and ability to evade opposing lineman make him a devastating defensive presence in front of all-world linebackers T.J. Watt and Patrick Queen.

In total, the Janesville, Wisconsin native logged four tackles and one sack during Pittsburgh’s preseason.

Benton is listed as the Steelers’ No. 1 option at nose tackle ahead of the platoon’s 2024 season. Pittsburgh opens with an away contest vs. the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 8.

How Wisconsin starter Tyler Van Dyke compares to Graham Mertz in PFF’s 2024 QB rankings

How Wisconsin QB Tyler Van Dyke compares to Graham Mertz in PFF’s 2024 QB rankings

ProFootballFocus ranked Wisconsin starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke at No. 15 and former Badger leader Graham Mertz at No. 21 on its 2024 Power Five QB ranking list on Wednesday.

Van Dyke will start under center for the Badgers in 2024 after transferring in from Miami this offseason. Mertz, meanwhile, will do so for the second consecutive season with the Gators. He was previously Wisconsin’s starter from 2020-22.

Surprisingly, Big Ten rivals Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) and Drew Allar (Penn State) were the only two Big Ten quarterbacks to land above Van Dyke on the outlet’s latest list. PFF ranked Gabriel as the No. 2 quarterback in the country behind Georgia’s Carson Beck and budding star Drew Allar as the 13th-best QB in the sport.

USC’s Miller Moss (No. 23), Ohio State’s Will Howard (No. 27), Washington’s Will Rogers (No. 30), Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke (No. 36), Purdue’s Hudson Card (No. 43) and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer (No. 47) were included in the top 50 as well.

Mertz enters his second season at the helm in Gainesville, Florida after recording 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns a season ago. He and the Gators will square off against Texas, LSU, Georgia and Florida State in a loaded SEC conference this fall. With a few big victories, Mertz can leapfrog several of these quarterbacks with a strong showing in marquee SEC games.

For UW, Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo named Van Dyke, who transferred from Miami (Florida) to UW in December, the platoon’s 2024 starting quarterback last week.

At Miami, he served as the Hurricanes’ starter for three seasons, including a 2021 campaign that netted him an ACC Rookie of the Year award. With nearly 7,500 passing yards under his belt, Van Dyke will look to sling it in the air-raid style offense during his first season as a Badger.

Van Dyke will receive his first opportunity against Western Michigan on Aug. 30 in front of what will surely be a raucous home crowd.

In total, 70 Power Five quarterbacks were included in PFF’s hierarchy — representing the new Power Four of the Big Ten, ACC, SEC and Big 12. Other notable names above Van Dyke included Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), Brady Cook (Missouri), Conner Weigman (Texas A&M) and Cam Ward (Miami).

Former Wisconsin OL named ProFootballFocus’ ‘Offensive Player of Preseason Week 2’

Former Wisconsin offensive lineman named ProFootballFocus’ ‘Offensive Player of the Week’

Former Wisconsin offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen earned ProFootballFocus ‘Offensive Player of the Week’ honors for NFL Preseason Week 2 on Monday.

The nod arrived following Van Lanen’s stellar NFL preseason output against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 17. In two preseason contests as the Jacksonville Jaguars starting right tackle, the former Big Ten standout has yet to allow a single pressure in 112 offensive snaps. That also includes zero pressures on 63 pass-block snaps, per Jaguars analyst Daniel Griffis.

Van Lanen was also the highest-graded Jaguar following the team’s 20-17 victory over the Buccaneers. His 91.0 overall grade bested linebacker Tanner Muse (90.3), cornerback Tre Flowers (86.6), wide receiver Parker Washington (85.7) and left tackle Walker Little (83.2), per PFF.

Following his multi-year career in Madison with the Badgers, the Green Bay Packers selected Van Lanen in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Green Bay shipped him to Jacksonville ahead of the 2022 slate. Through two seasons with the Jaguars, the Wisconsin native logged just 71 offensive snaps.

He is currently listed at No. 3 on his platoon’s left tackle depth chart, but his preseason performances suggest otherwise. If provided the opportunity, Van Lanen is a serviceable replacement at tackle.