Tag: Badgers in NFL

Former Wisconsin linebacker continues All-Pro campaign in Eagles’ ninth straight win

Former Wisconsin linebacker continues All-Pro campaign in Eagles’ ninth straight win

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun bolstered his All-Pro campaign in the Eagles’ 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Baun registered 11 tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss and a pair of quarterback hits in the win, captaining the Eagles’ defense alongside fellow linebacker Nakobe Dean.

He also recorded an overall grade of 89.3, the highest mark of any Eagles defender.

As he has almost every week, Baun made several show-stopping plays for Vic Fangio’s defensive unit. His first big-time sequence came with just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter.

On third-and-seven, Baun burst through the right side of Carolina’s offensive line and tracked down a scrambling Young for a solo sack to force a punt and flip in possession.

In 13 starts, Baun has now logged 129 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three pass deflections. If he adds 47 more tackles to his 2024 total, he would double his combined tackle output from his previous four seasons with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-23.

While quarterback Jalen Hurts, superstar running back Saquon Barkley and dynamic wide receiver A.J. Brown garner most of the media attention on the Eagles, Baun is orchestrating arguably the best season of any linebacker in the NFL this season.

The Eagles sit at 11-2 and rival the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills as the best team in the NFL. Without Baun, the Eagles might not be a part of that conversation.

The team’s next match is slated for Dec. 15 vs. Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Badgers great Braelon Allen registers career-high yardage in Jets loss

Badgers great Braelon Allen registers career-high yardage in Jets win

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current New York Jets running back Braelon Allen tallied a career-high 81 total yards vs. the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

With Jets star running back Breece Hall sidelined with a knee injury, Allen assumed the starting workload at running back alongside future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He finished the game with 11 carries for 43 rushing yards and four catches for 38 receiving yards in the 32-26 loss in Miami.

While he did log 11 carries, Allen’s most impactful plays came in the passing game. He averaged 9.5 yards per reception and snared a 15-yard catch to help kick-start the Jets’ final scoring drive of regulation.

Through 13 games, the former Badger has rushed 78 times for 283 yards and two rushing scores. He has also reeled in 16 catches for 135 receiving yards and one touchdown. He registered his previous career-high on Sept. 19 vs. the New England Patriots on 14 total touches.

With Hall sidelined, Allen’s opportunities to close the season could increase. At 3-10, the Jets are also eliminated from the playoff picture.

Wisconsin legend leads Steelers to tenth win of 2024 season

Wisconsin legend leads Steelers to tenth win of 2024 season

Wisconsin Badgers legend Russell Wilson keeps finding different ways to win for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A week after piloting a 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, Wilson completed 15 throws for 158 passing yards and two passing touchdowns to notch a 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. The UW alumnus also rushed six times for 17 yards and recorded a passer rating over 100.0 for the fifth time this season.

Unlike a bulk of his previous performances this season, Wilson did most of his damage on quick-throw sequences. According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson completed 13 of 18 quick throws for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Virtually all of his production arrived during those situations.

Wilson, who is notorious for his capacity to throw the deep ball, still showcased his arm strength several times against the lowly Browns. On his second touchdown pass of the afternoon, Wilson tossed a dart between two Cleveland defenders to tight end Pat Freiermuth for a 20-yard score.

Through seven games as the Steelers’ starter, Wilson is 6-1. He’s thrown for 1,784 yards and 12 touchdowns over that time. At 10-3, the Steelers control their own destiny in the 2024 playoff picture.

Wilson is slated to square off against a quarterback gauntlet to close the 2024 slate. Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles (Dec. 15), Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens (Dec. 21), Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs (Dec. 25) and Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals (Jan. 5) are the four remaining teams on Pittsburgh’s schedule.

Those contests will serve as an excellent stretch for Pittsburgh to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses before the playoffs begin. Wilson’s sole loss came in a blizzard against Cleveland on Nov. 21.

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle records first career interception in Steelers win

Former Wisconsin star nose tackle records first career interception in Steelers win

Former Wisconsin nose tackle Keeanu Benton snagged his first career NFL interception in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The moment arrived at the 13:26-minute mark in the second quarter of the rivalry game. With Cleveland at their own 47-yard line, quarterback Jameis Winston dropped back and tossed a short pass intended for running back Nick Chubb.

Benton evaded the Browns’ offense line, slipped through an open gap, and intercepted the pass to flip possession in favor of Pittsburgh.

The Steelers capitalized on the turnover with a Najee Harris one-yard touchdown on the ensuing possession to take a 10-7 advantage over the Browns. Pittsburgh maintained the lead for the remainder of the contest.

Here’s Benton’s first career interception:

The former Badger ended the game with the interception and one total tackle. Through 13 games, he has accumulated 23 total tackles, five pass deflections, one fumble recovery and seven quarterback hits.

During his four-year college tenure in Madison, Benton foreshadowed what he could provide to NFL franchises from the time he stepped foot onto the gridiron in 2019. He departed campus with a 2022 All-Big Ten third team selection, 82 tackles, nine sacks and 19 tackles for loss before declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Steelers’ next game is scheduled for Dec. 15 against the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles.

LOOK: Steelers deploy four former Badgers on defensive line vs. Browns

LOOK: Steelers deploy four former Badgers on defensive line vs. Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line looked awfully familiar for Wisconsin Badgers fans on Sunday.

For a few sequences in the 27-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers deployed former Wisconsin nose tackle Keeanu Benton, defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk, and linebackers Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt on the front four.

While all four playmakers have contributed to the Steelers’ defense during virtually every game this season, the foursome rarely lines up on the same snap. Both Watt and Benton start for Pittsburgh, Herbig serves as Alex Highsmith’s backup at strong-side linebacker and Loudermilk rotates in behind Larry Ogunjobi.

Another connection between the four UW alumni revolves around their time at Wisconsin. All four players suited up at Camp Randall under former Badger head coach Paul Chryst from 2015-22.

Here’s a look at the four former Badgers gearing up for a few snaps together on Sunday:

Watt, as he tends to do, impacted the contest with a pair of quarterback hits and a tackle for loss. Loudermilk pitched in with a tackle, and Benton snagged his first career interception in the win over Jameis Winston’s Browns.

With the win, the Steelers now move to 10-3 on the season with four contests remaining on the 2024 season. Their next match — a Dec. 15 showdown with the 11-2 Philadelphia Eagles.

Former Wisconsin fullback named 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

Former Wisconsin fullback named 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee

Former Wisconsin Badgers fullback Alec Ingold was named the Miami Dolphins’ 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee on Thursday.

Ingold joins 31 athletes representing every NFL franchise for the league’s most prestigious honor. Since 1970, the award has annually recognized a player’s commitment to philanthropy, positive community influence and ability to impact individuals outside the gridiron.

This is the third time Ingold has been nominated for the award in his six-year NFL career. He earned previous nominations in 2020 with the Las Vegas Raiders and in 2023 with the Dolphins.

All 32 nominees will be recognized for their achievements during the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. The winner will be announced during the NFL Honors on Feb. 6. UW legends Russell Wilson and J.J. Watt won the award in 2020 and 2017, respectively.

Ingold founded the Ingold Family Foundation in 2022 with goals of helping young people receive an education and achieve their dreams. He also published a book titled “The 7 Crucibles” in 2023 and collaborated with Broward County Public Schools in Florida.

On the field, Ingold earned a Pro Bowl appearance in 2023 as one of the key pieces of an offensive unit responsible for a league-best output (401.3 yards per game). He has played 85 career games dating back to 2019 and notched 581 total yards and six total touchdowns.

Ingold tallied 103 carries for 343 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns during his length career with the Badgers.

Wisconsin football legend named NFL FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week

Wisconsin football icon named FedEx Air & Ground Player of the Week

Wisconsin Badgers’ football legend Russell Wilson was named the NFL’s FedEx Air & Ground Player of Week 13 on Thursday.

The nine-time Pro Bowler earned the honor for his stellar output in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. The former Badger completed 29 of 38 pass attempts for 414 passing yards and three touchdowns in the narrow victory. He also registered a passer rating of 126.4 — his best as a Steeler.

With the win, Wilson helped the Steelers secure the franchise’s 21st consecutive non-losing season, tying the 1965-85 Dallas Cowboys for a league record.

In the game, Wilson registered 257 of his passing yards in the first half — the most of any first half of his storied 13-year career. He completed passes to 10 different wide receivers on the afternoon and displayed his deep ball proficiency throughout.

On the season, Wilson has now thrown for 1,626 passing yards and 10 touchdowns in six games as Pittsburgh’s starting pass-thrower. He is also responsible for a career-high 271 passing yards per game.

Head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to start Wilson over dynamic quarterback Justin Fields ushered outside criticism, but it has paid off incredibly well for the Steelers. The team currently leads the AFC North at 9-3 and looks like they could host a home playoff game this winter.

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.

Wisconsin football legend named 2024 Ford-Kinnick Award Winner

Wisconsin football legend named 2024 Ford-Kinnick Award Winner

Wisconsin Badgers’ football legend Russell Wilson was named the Big Ten’s 2024 Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award winner on Tuesday.

In conjunction with the Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award, the honor celebrates Big Ten student-athlete alumni who have showcased humanitarianism and leadership after their collegiate tenure, per the Big Ten conference.

Wilson’s on-field contributions speak for themselves. The nine-time Pro Bowler won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 and has thrown for at least 3,000 yards in 12 consecutive NFL seasons. His Pittsburgh Steelers now sit at 9-3 atop a tough AFC North conference.

Off the field, Wilson is just as impactful. He won the 2020 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award and the 2022 Bart Starr Award. He also founded the Why Not You Foundation in 2014, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating real and lasting change in the world by motivating and empowering today’s youth.

His nonprofit opened a tuition-free public high school near Seattle and he helped donated 10 million meals to food insecure families following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

For more information of Wilson’s humanitarian contributions, click here.

At Wisconsin, Wilson pocketed the 2011 Griese-Brees Big Ten Quarterback of the Year award and captained UW to the Big Ten Championship title in his sole season as a Badger in 2011. After setting breaking the school record for single-season passing yards (3,175), touchdown passes (33) and completions (225), WilsonΒ earned consensus first-team All-Big Ten nods.

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.Β 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.