Noah Burks – Syndication Server

Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin: Second-Quarter Analysis

This is looking better.

We’ve reached halftime of this Shamrock Series game, and we still don’t have a clear direction of where this is going. There have been some plays that had potential to turn the tide, but they mostly haven’t meant much. We say “mostly” because Notre Dame has been able to separate itself from Wisconsin a bit as it holds a 10-3 lead.

The Irish began the second quarter with a long possession, converting on two third downs and one fourth down, the latter of which came on a Kyren Williams run against a tough Badgers run defense. That defense came alive once the Irish reached the Badgers’ 30-yard line as Jack Coan found him swarmed by Badgers on every play during that series of downs. Faced with a fourth-and-14 after a C.J. Goetz sack, Jonathan Doerer came on to attempt a 51-yard field goal after missing from 39 in the first quarter. This time, he converted to tie the game.

The Badgers nearly went three-and-out on their first possession of the quarter but for a roughing-the-passer call against Kyle Hamilton of all people. It turned out not to matter because on the next third down, Cam Hart came up with an interception near midfield. Coan nearly gave the ball right back two plays later on a Leo Chanel interception. That turnover was wiped out when Noah Burks was called for pass interference, allowing the Irish to keep the ball.

The negated turnover ended up costing the Badgers more than only the ball. The drive culminated in the game’s first touchdown as Coan found Kevin Austin for a 36-yard completion. There was a review to determine whether Austin maintained control of the ball as he fell in the end zone, but it didn’t take long to confirm the ruling.

Both teams went three-and-out on their next drives, but it led to a big play on special teams for the Irish. Jay Bramblett punted the ball a career-high 72 yards to pin the Badgers at their own 9. That, in turn, led to the Badgers failing to pick up a first down and punting once again. Having the lead and with little time remaining, Coan opted to take a knee, and that’s all she wrote for the first 30 minutes.

Report: A starting linebacker will return to the Badgers next season

The beginning of the offseason for the Wisconsin football program has seen several seniors move on from football or declare for the…

The beginning of the offseason for the Wisconsin football program has seen several seniors move on from football or declare for the NFL Draft.

That’s what this year in college football brings, as the NCAA granting players an extra year of eligibility gives each team’s seniors a complicated and challenging decision to make of whether to return for another season or move on.

Notable Badgers to announce their plans to return for another year include wide receiver Kendric Pryor, wide receiver Jack Dunn, safety Collin Wilder and safety Scott Nelson.

Another name joined that list yesterday, as according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Jeff Potrykus outside linebacker Noah Burks will return to Madison for a final season.

Several #Badgers football seniors have announced their plans for 2021. You can add senior OLB Noah Burks to the list of players coming back next season. He gives UW a veteran at a key position.

— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) January 10, 2021

Burks has played 24 games in his college career including 18 starts his junior and senior seasons. He now enters his final year with 60 tackles, 8 tackles-for-loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble.

During a year where Jim Leonhard and his defense is seeing a lot of turnover up front, the return of Burks is huge news for the Badger defense.

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Notes from Coach Chryst’s Wedneday morning press conference

After months of waiting the Wisconsin Badgers had their first padded practice of the 2020 preseason this morning as they prepare for…

After months of waiting the Wisconsin Badgers had their first padded practice of the 2020 preseason this morning as they begin to ramp up activity in order to prepare for upcoming season.

Head Coach Paul Chryst spoke to the media after the practice and discussed position groups including the inside linebackers, running backs and outside linebackers as well as what is different about this preseason compared to others and what quarterback Jack Coan has done to lead the team this offseason.

Here are notes from Chryst’s press conference, with more in-depth quotes available in the thread below:

THREAD: Notes from HC Paul Chryst's presser (9/30)

— Ben Kenney (@benzkenney) September 30, 2020

On the inside linebackers:

“We have three guys that have been around and played, Leo [Chenal] being the youngest but has played a lot of football. With Jack [Sanborn], Leo [Chenal] and Mike Maskalunas you have three guys that certainly have a good sense of how to play in our defense. Then you have a young group…As the season develops it’s about how those young guys develop.”

Even though Chenal is a sophomore it’s looking like the coaching staff has faith in him to produce in the starting rotation. The starting rotation heading into the season, then, is lining up to be Sanborn, Chenal and Maskalunas.

Chryst noted that there are two clear groups: “One that has a really good understanding and then a younger group that we like and like their talent. I think there are some question marks certainly after the top three.”

On the running backs:

“Nakia [Watson]’s played a lot of football for us, and yet all these guys’ roles are yet to be defined. I appreciate Isaac Guerendo and how he’s started to feel comfortable at the position. Between those three you hope to be productive.”

Chryst also noted four-star freshman Jalen Berger as a guy who’s new to the college game and emphasized the role Groshek has played as a leader on the team and in the running back room.

On Jack Coan and his leadership:

“I’ve loved the way that he’s approached [the offseason]. It’s been with a purpose…I think he’s done a ton in the meeting room but when you get a chance to start doing it that’s when the learning takes place. But I’ve loved his approach and how he’s taken care of his business. He’s been around enough, cares a ton about this team and knows how to help lead and help everyone on this team be the best they can be.”

In a unique offseason having a senior return at quarterback is a big plus for any college team. It’s clear through Chryst’s comments that he’s been thrilled with how Coan has handled the offseason and the way he has led the team through a challenging offseason.

On the unique preseason:

Noted differences including padded practices starting during the middle of school–saying it’s like a game week during a normal season–and said there’s overall been a different rhythm to this year in terms of ramping up activity while also taking into account the unique timeline.

On the outside linebackers:

On Noah Burks: “Noah was productive last year in a different way than Zack [Baun] was…The first thing is to build off that. He doesn’t have to be someone he’s not…I like the way he’s approached [the season].”

On the rest of the group: Called Izayah Green-May “legitimate,” mentioned C.J. Goetz and Spencer Lytle as guys in the mix that have a chance to emerge and play a role. Also expressed excitement about young guys including Kaden Johnson and Nick Herbig.

Chryst finished by noting several times the job outside linebackers coach Bobby April does coaching the unit.

Where Paul Chryst believes his team has the biggest question marks this season

In a press conference yesterday Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst noted the two position groups where his team has the biggest question…

In a press conference yesterday Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst noted the two position groups where his team has the biggest question marks this season: wide receiver and outside linebacker.

Paul Chryst said the two position groups he had the most question marks about going into the spring were the "next-ups" at wide receiver and outside linebacker. #Badgers

— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) June 19, 2020

If you think about it, this comment makes a lot of sense with the team saying goodbye to A.J. Taylor, Quintez Cephus and Aron Cruikshank at wide receiver and Zack Baun at outside linebacker.

The “next-ups” at the two positions respectively are set to be Jack Dunn and Adam Krumholz–with both Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor already established as contributors on the outside–and Noah Burks.

To me the wide receiver position the bigger question mark of the two as Badger fans know very well that Chryst and Jim Leonhard never have trouble developing “next-ups” at outside linebacker.

The Badgers are currently scheduled to start their season September 4 when they host the Indiana Hoosiers.

A Wisconsin LB named a projected breakout player in 2020 by Athlon Sports

A Badger who is expected to take a step forward in 2020

[lawrence-newsletter]Athlon sports is taking an early look at which players should have breakout seasons around the college football landscape. Wisconsin LB Noah Burks was among them as a player who is certainly taking a step forward in terms of his role with the Badgers in 2020.

As Wisconsin loses two starting linebackers in Zack Baun and Chris Orr, Burks is stepping into a leading role at the position. Last season, the Badger ‘backer played in 14 games while recording seven tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. He also took an interception to the house against Northwestern to help solidify Wisconsin’s win over the Wildcats.

Here is what Athlon Sports had to say about the rising senior ‘backer.

“The Badgers are losing two key linebackers – Zack Baun and Chris Orr – but this position is still in good shape for 2020. Burks’ play in 2019 is a big reason why, as the Indiana native posted his best season in a Wisconsin uniform. In 14 appearances, Burks collected 36 tackles (seven for a loss), two sacks, one interception and three pass breakups. Burks seems to be scratching the surface of his potential and could be primed for an All-Big Ten-caliber senior year.”

Projecting Wisconsin’s 2020 Spring Defensive Depth Chart

Who will open up on Wisconsin’s spring depth chart on the defensive side of the football?

Wisconsin’s defense in 2020 will be missing not only two key players but also two key leaders to not only the defense but the entire team. Those two players being 2019 team captains outside linebacker Zack Baun and inside linebacker Chris Orr. Despite Wisconsin losing Baun and Orr to graduation the Badgers still return an impressive nine starters from last year’s defense.

In this Badgers Wire feature, we project what the spring depth chart on defense will look like when the Badgers open up spring practice.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Defensive Line: DE 1. Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand, 2. Matt Henningsen and Isaiah Mullens NT 1. Keeanu Benton 2. Gio Paez

Loudermilk and Rand were able to stay healthy over the course of their redshirt junior seasons and as long as they stay healthy they have established themselves as starters at the defensive end positions. Henningsen used last year’s spring practice to put him in a position to have a terrific redshirt sophomore season. If Henningsen can put together a productive spring like he did in 2019 should allow him to take another step in his development. Mullens appeared in 13 games mostly on special teams as he registered one tackle. With backup defensive end David Pfaff graduating he’ll have a chance in spring football to show why he deserves to be apart of the defensive line rotation. At nose tackle, Keeanu Benton will be going through his first spring practice and will receive plenty of valuable practice reps as Bryson Williams could miss all of spring football as he continues to recover from his left leg injury that he suffered this past season. If Williams can’t go that will mean more reps for redshirt freshman Gio Paez as it will be critical that he takes advantage of his reps.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Linebackers: OLB 1. Noah Burks and Izayah Green-May, 2. Spencer Lytle and Jaylan Franklin ILB 1. Jack Sanborn and Leo Chenal 2. Mike Maskalunas and Maema Njongmeta

Christian Bell would’ve had a chance at competing for one of the starting outside linebacker positions opposite of Noah Burks but instead elected to transfer. That leave’s Green-May as the likely starter opposite of Burks when Wisconsin opens spring football. Green-May initially started the 2019 season as a starter but suffered a right arm injury early in the season, which caused him to miss time. Green-May was able to put together a productive fall camp and the practice habits he developed last year will need to continue if he wants to establish himself as the starter once again. Outside linebackers coach Bobby April will also give Franklin and Lytle a look as a starter opposite of Burks. Making it an important spring for both of them as the Badgers look for a starter who can complement Burks. Wisconsin may lose Chris Orr at middle linebacker but the transition between Orr and Leo Chenal should be a smooth one. Chenal gained valuable experience last year as he played as a true freshman. Chenal will receive plenty of reps over spring football and he should be able to take a nice step in his development. Maskalunas will be Chenal’s top competitor for the other starting inside linebacker position as he’s been serviceable during his time at Wisconsin. Njongmeta redshirted last season and will be going through his first spring practice.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Cornerbacks: 1. Faion Hicks and Rachad Wildgoose 2. Caesar Williams and Semar Melvin

Hicks has been a regular starter at cornerback for Wisconsin the past two seasons and that shouldn’t change heading into spring practices. Wildgoose and Williams started eight and seven games respectively a season ago. The trio has been Wisconsin’s most consistent group of cornerbacks. Semar Melvin is coming off a redshirt season but he was able to take advantage of the redshirt rule by playing in four games without burning a year of eligibility. Melvin was up and down, which is understandable but the reps he does receive during spring practice will be invaluable as he looks to build off of his freshman season. Jim Leonhard will also likely rotate in Donte Burton and Deron Harrell too as the starters at cornerback or with the second string cornerbacks too.

Projected Spring Depth Chart Safety: FS 1. Eric Burrell, 2. John Torchio SS 1. Reggie Pearson, 2. Collin Wilder

Wisconsin Football Season Review: Outside Linebackers

How well did Wisconsin’s outside linebackers play during the 2019 season?

Wisconsin finished its fifth season under head coach Paul Chryst as Chryst improved his overall record to 52-16 and has a posted a 34-10 record in conference games. After not winning the Big Ten West Division title in 2018 the Badgers were back in Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game as the West representative for the fourth time in the last six years since the Big Ten went to its current format.

In this Badgers Wire feature we will examine the play of Wisconsin’s outside linebacker from the 2019 season and take a sneak into what the 2020 season may have in store for the position:

Zack Baun was simply terrific for Wisconsin’s defense in 2019. If the Badgers were going to be improved as a defense the Badgers were going to need Baun to deliver.

Baun certainly did and then some as he finished his season leading the team in both tackles for loss (19.5), sacks (12.5), and quarterback hurries (10) as his 76 tackles ranked third on the team.

With Baun having such a strong season he was able to earn First team All-Big Ten and earned All-American honors as well.

Most importantly with Baun being dominant at times the Badgers were going to need someone opposite of him at the other outside linebacker position to take some pressure off of him.

Initially, that responsibility appeared that it was going to go to redshirt sophomore Izayah Green-May as he won the other starting outside linebacker position out of fall camp. However, Green-May suffered an injury early on in the season causing him to miss the game against Central Michigan.

With Green-May out with a right arm, injury opened the door for Noah Burks. Burks took his starting opportunity and ran with it as he finished out the season as the starter along with Baun.

Burks finished the year with 36 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.

Green-May only ended up playing in 10 games finishing the season with five tackles and a sack. Wisconsin also relied on at times at the outside linebacker position in Christian Bell and Tyler Johnson the two combined for 11 tackles and each had a sack.

With Baun consistently getting in opponents, backfields was one of the reasons why the Badgers were able to average 3.3 sacks over conference play, which ranked second. Creating that pressure on the outside also led to forcing quarterbacks to hurry up their decision making process in the pocket. As Big Ten quarterbacks completed an average of 50.3 percent (145-for-288 of their passes as that percentage was the second-lowest over Big Ten play.

Losing Baun to graduation hurts but Burks was able to make some nice strides between his redshirt sophomore season and redshirt junior season. Burks will need to continue to develop and take that next step in order to continue to find ways of getting in opponents backfields. Although it wasn’t the season Green-May was anticipating after he won the starting outside linebacker job out of fall camp he’ll need to continue to add weight and strength in order to hold up over Big Ten play. The Badgers will also need to see the continued development out of redshirt sophomore Jaylan Franklin and redshirt freshman Spencer Lytle as both will be counted on to take on a bigger role in Wisconsin’s defense. True freshman Nick Herbig enrolled early at Wisconsin, which will allow for outside linebackers coach Bobby April the chance to start working with one of Wisconsin’s prized recruits on the defensive side of the football.

Noah Burks figures to play a large role for Wisconsin in 2020

Grading Wisconsin’s 28-27 Loss to Oregon in the 106th Rose Bowl Game

What grades did Wisconsin earn in their 28-27 loss to Oregon in the 106th Rose Bowl Game?

Grading No. 8 Wisconsin’s 28-27 loss to No. 6 Oregon in the 106th Rose Bowl Game.

Offense: D

Four turnovers.

Simply put Wisconsin beat themselves on offense at times. Four turnovers all occurring in Wisconsin territory was a killer as Oregon turned Wisconsin’s miscues into 21 points.

Wisconsin fumbled the football three times as Jonathan Taylor, Danny Davis, and Anthony Lotti all lost fumbles while Jack Coan threw an interception.

The dagger came when Davis fumbled the football in the fourth quarter on a jet sweep as the fumble was forced by Rose Bowl Defensive MVP Brady Breeze and was recovered by Bryson Young. Oregon only needed one play to take the lead for good as Oregon’s quarterback Justin Herbert registered a 30-yard rushing touchdown with 7:41 to go in the game.

Davis was also called for an offensive pass interference call on Wisconsin’s last offensive possession of the game, which wiped out a first down catch by Jake Ferguson on third down. Wisconsin’s ensuing offensive play resulted in an incompletion on third and 20 forcing the Badgers to punt the football away with 2:54 to go in the game.

Davis’ 19 yards rushing was second on the team behind Taylor’s 94 yards rushing on 21 carries. Taylor’s 94 yards put him over 2,000 yards rushing for the second consecutive season joining Iowa State’s Troy Davis (1995, 1996). Taylor also added 43 yards receiving on two receptions.

Taylor struggled to get into a rhythm on offense as the Ducks defense did well of containing him as he averaged 4.5 yards per carry as his longest rush was 18 yards against the Ducks defense.

With Oregon doing well of keeping contain of Taylor on the ground meant Coan attempted 35 passes, which was a season-high. Overall Coan finished the game 23-for-35 for 186 yards and one touchdown pass to Quintez Cephus.

Two of Coan’s favorite targets were Cephus (7-59-1) and Ferguson (4-44) as the two combined to catch 11 passes for 103 yards. Overall eight players caught a pass for the Badgers as half of the players who caught a pass registered at least three or more receptions.

Wisconsin’s offense at times struggled to get into a rhythm early in the game as the Badgers defense was able to set Wisconsin’s offense up with good field position when Jack Sanborn intercepted a pass giving the Badgers offense the football back at Oregon’s 27-yard line. But Oregon’s defense stepped up and was able to get off the field after three plays forcing for Wisconsin to settle for a field goal to give the Badgers a 10-7 lead.

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Wisconsin at Nebraska: Breakdown with Prediction

What does Wisconsin need to do in order to beat Nebraska on the road? Jonathan Taylor RB, Jack Coan QB, Zack Baun LB, Noah Burks LB

Wisconsin has always been able to successfully run the football against Nebraska and on Saturday that shouldn’t change. Considering Nebraska’s rush defense in the Big Ten ranks toward the bottom as they’re allowing 219.5 yards over Big Ten play and have allowed an average of 5.3 yards per carry.

The Badgers will rely heavily on Jonathan Taylor to have success against the Cornhuskers rush defense. In two career games against Nebraska Taylor has averaged 235 yards on an average of 24.5 carries and has five combined touchdowns.

Wisconsin’s offensive line should be able to get the better push against Nebraska’s defensive line to make sure Taylor doesn’t get tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Taylor has caught a pass in every game this year but has only caught three passes over the last three games. With the success Taylor has had against Nebraska he should be more involved in the passing game than he has over the last three weeks.

Jack Coan is going to need to limit his mistakes and make sure he doesn’t kill any offensive drives. If Coan can generate a rhythm against Nebraska’s secondary, which is allowing 201.5 passing yards in addition to Taylor’s success on the ground the Badgers should develop a balance on offense.

Defensively, it comes down to Wisconsin’s defense ability to contain Adrian Martinez.

Wisconsin will need to keep him in the pocket in order to make sure he can’t extend plays with his feet. It starts with Zack Baun and Noah Burks keeping contain and taking him down when they have a chance as Martinez’s 399 rushing yards leads the team.

One of Martinez’s favorite targets is JD Spielman as his 689 receiving yards leads the team. True freshman wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson is questionable for the game. If Robinson can’t go it will take away one of the Cornhuskers more consistent players on offense as he has 453 receiving yards and has rushed for 326 yards.

In the end, Wisconsin is able to contain Martinez enough and is able to limit his impact and prevent him from consistently connecting with Spielman through the air. In addition, thanks to Taylor’s ability to effectively rush the football the Badgers win 31-to-21.