Tag: Stats

How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

How Badger transfers A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn performed in debuts with new programs

Wisconsin basketball began its 2024-25 campaign with an 85-61 win over Holy Cross on Monday.

The primary story from the Badgers’ opener: Transfer wing John Tonje had a program-best debut with 23 points and five rebounds, including going 3 of 6 from 3-point range and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

Tonje’s Wisconsin debut is significant news for Greg Gard and his staff as they work to replace the production of stars A.J. Storr and Chucky Hepburn, who transferred to Kansas and Louisville, respectively, this offseason. That opening performance establishes a comparison point for Tonje that is sure to persist throughout the season — more so with Storr, who plays the same position.

Here is Tonje’s full stat line, and how it compares to how Storr and Hepburn began their respective careers at new programs:

  • Tonje (85-61 win over Holy Cross): 27 minutes, 23 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, 6 of 11 from the floor, 3 of 6 from three, 8 of 8 from the line
  • Storr (87-57 win over Howard): 15 minutes off the bench, five points, two rebounds, two assists, 2 of 5 from the floor, 1 of 1 from 3
  • Hepburn (93-45 win over Morehead State): 21 minutes, eight points, one rebound, four assists, 1 of 3 from the floor, 1 of 2 from 3, 5 of 5 from the line

Tonje boasted the best debut of the three on Monday night, although each played in a blowout nonconference win.

He also fared better than Wisconsin’s other transfer additions. Forward Xavier Amos (Northern Illinois) tallied two points, four rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes off the bench. Guard Camren Hunter (Central Arkansas) missed the game with an injury.

Gard and the Badgers had a tough task attempting to replace the top-end production of Hepburn, Storr and forward Tyler Wahl (graduation). Tonje already appears to be a viable replacement, enough that his production may best that of Storr on No. 1 Kansas.

Tonje, Amos and possibly Hunter will return to the court on Thursday when the Badgers host Montana State. Storr and No. 1 Kansas will battle No. 9 North Carolina on Friday. Hepburn and Louisville will host No. 12 Tennessee on Saturday.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Wisconsin transfer addition John Tonje sets program record in win over Holy Cross

Wisconsin transfer addition John Tonje sets program record in win over Holy Cross

This story was updated to add new information.

Missouri transfer wing John Tonje headlined Wisconsin basketball’s season-opening win over Holy Cross on Monday.

The sixth-year senior led the team with 23 points and five rebounds on six of 11 shooting, three of six from three-point range and a perfect eight-for-eight from the free throw line. His offense was a key catalyst for the Badgers overcoming an early deficit and finishing with a 24-point win.

Related: Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s opening win over Holy Cross

For further context on Tonje’s impact, his 23 points are the most for a Badger in his Wisconsin debut since at least 2000, according to official word from the program.

The total surpasses Josh Gasser’s debut as a freshman in 2010 (21 points). Compared to other recent transfer additions, Tonje’s total of 23 points bests A.J. Storr’s 15 in the 2023-24 opener and Micah Potter’s 12 to begin 2019-20.

Tonje’s emergence has a versatile offensive weapon is significant news for a Wisconsin team looking to replace the wing production of Storr, who transferred to Kansas this offseason. The Missouri transfer already looks like an impact addition for Greg Gard and his staff as the Badgers enter a critical 2024-25 season.

Tonje will lead Wisconsin back on the court on Thursday for a home matchup with Montana State.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Derek Carr just tied an unfortunate Archie Manning record

Derek Carr’s loss to the Panthers on Sunday tied an unfortunate record with former Saints quarterback Archie Manning:

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has tied one the most unfortunate records a signal-caller can have as of Sunday afternoon, in addition to the fact he has now been defeated by 31 different teams.

That’s not precisely the return he wanted after missing several weeks due to injury, and there were several Saints fans were hoping that Carr’s return would instill some new life into the offense. Instead, Carr just tied former Saints quarterback Archie Manning’s to hold one of the NFL’s most unfortunate records.

Over 11 seasons, Manning lost a total of 91 games. Carr has officially matched that exact number. His brother, David Carr, is also high on the list in terms of losses as a starting quarterback. Here’s a look at the full breakdown of all of that:

  • 4 seasons: David Carr (43)
  • 5 seasons: David Carr (53)
  • 6 seasons: David Carr (56)
  • 7 seasons: Derek Carr (63)
  • 8 seasons: Derek Carr (70)
  • 9 seasons: Derek Carr (79)
  • 10 seasons: Derek Carr (87)
  • 11 seasons: Derek Carr and Archie Manning (91)

While it was technically a close game, not a lot went incredibly right for the Saints as they faced one of the worst teams in the NFL in the Carolina Panthers, still managing to fall 23-22 while being a slight favorite.

Carr finished the game 18-for-31 passing for 236 yards with 1 touchdown. His injury did hinder the Saints, but it is apparent there are far more things wrong with the team than just injured players and it’s reasonable to expect there will be a large amount of turnover when the season concludes.

With that, the Saints are now on a seven-game losing streak. They will face a tough task in snapping that with the risk of getting swept in the series by the Atlanta Falcons in New Orleans next Sunday.

For now, the Saints simply have a lot of thinking to do.

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Teams that hit the Saints’ benchmarks vs. Panthers are now 275-1

The Saints’ 23-22 loss to the Panthers was historically bad in many ways, especially in this one stat. Teams that hit their benchmarks are now 275-1:

The New Orleans Saints losing to the previously 1-7 Carolina Panthers was brutal in its own right, but when looking at the statistics that led to that point, it’s even worse. According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Saints were the first team in the last 20 years to lose a game in which they:

  • Outgained the opponent by 150-plus yards
  • Ran for 150-plus yards
  • And won the turnover battle

On top of that, these three qualifiers have occurred in 275 prior games during that 20 year span, and the Saints are the only team to have lost in a matchup containing all three. So teams that dominate that well are now 275-1, with New Orleans as an outlier. That’s embarrassing.

This loss primarily resides on coaching, as they knew what was working in the run game and yet managed to still lose the game due to poor play-calling and decision-making when it came to timeout utilization. An ugly loss all around for New Orleans as they move to 2-7.

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Referee Ron Torbert assigned to Week 9 Saints-Panthers game

Referee Ron Torbert and his crew will be responsible for officiating the Week 9 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte:

Referee Ron Torbert and his crew will be responsible for the officiating in the Week 9 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.

This is going to be quite an interesting one, considering that over eight games, he and his crew have thrown a total of 128 flags for 993 yards. There were 30 of those that were dismissed. 68 of the flags were thrown on the home team and 60 of them were against the visiting team.

Torbert’s team averages 16 penalties per game for an average of 124 yards per game.

The last time the Saints had Torbert as a referee, they came out on top with a final score of 24-17 over the Chicago Bears. Only one penalty was called on the Saints for a mere total of five yards. The Bears were not as lucky, flagged eight times for a total of 71 yards.

The Panthers last had Torbert throwing the flags in the game on Nov. 26 of 2023 when Carolina fell 17-10 to the Titans. Four penalties were thrown on the Panthers for 35 yards. Eight penalties were thrown on the Titans for 53 yards.

In total, the Saints are 8-3 in games with Torbert as the head referee. The Panthers are 8-5. It will be interesting to see how things play out in this one as the Saints and the Panthers prepare to kick off at Noon CT/1 p.m. ET in Bank of America Stadium.

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RECAP: Wisconsin crushed in Iowa City, lose to Hawkeyes 42-10

RECAP: Wisconsin crushed in Iowa City, lose to Hawkeyes 42-10

The Iowa Hawkeyes delivered a dominant 42-10 win over the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Badgers defense forced a punt on Iowa’s opening possession. They followed that with a 12-play, 59-yard drive that ended with a 38-yard Nathanial Vakos field goal. That 3-0 advantage was the only lead Wisconsin would hold in the contest.

Iowa went on to miss a 56-yard field goal on its next drive, continuing to hand momentum to Wisconsin. But that momentum quickly turned when Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke threw the first of two interceptions.

Quarterback Brendan Sullivan and running back Kaleb Johnson finished off back-to-back drives with rushing touchdowns as Iowa took a 14-3 lead into halftime.

The Hawkeyes kept the momentum going following the break, scoring touchdowns on all four of their possessions in the second half — two by RB Kaleb Johnson.

Braedyn Locke and C.J. Williams finally connected for a 14-yard score with 14:12 in the fourth quarter, Wisconsin’s first touchdown of the evening. That narrowed the margin to 28-10, which was the closest Wisconsin would get down the stretch.

Iowa out-gained Wisconsin 422-261 in total, churning out an eye-popping 329 rushing yards in the contest. Running back Kaleb Johnson turned 24 carries into 135 yards and three touchdowns, while fellow backs Kamari Moulton and Jaziun Patterson combined for 130 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Additionally, quarterback Brendan Sullivan completed seven of 10 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown while also adding 58 yards and a score on the ground.

For Wisconsin, quarterback Braedyn Locke completed 15 of 29 passes for 137 yards and a touchdown while throwing two interceptions in the loss. He has now thrown eight picks in six starts in 2024. Running back Tawee Walker was limited to just 52 yards on 16 carries while backfield mate Darrion Dupree had 52 yards on seven totes.

It was just the fourth time ever that Wisconsin allowed 40-plus points to Iowa — the first since 1975.

The Hawkeyes improved to 6-3 on the season and 4-2 in Big Ten play with the victory. Wisconsin, on the other hand, drops to 5-4 on the season and 3-3 in conference play.

The Badgers will be idle in Week 11 before they’ll host No. 1 Oregon at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 16.

Statistical Breakdown: How the Chargers and Browns stack up before Week 9 game

Here’s how the Chargers and Browns stack up statistically ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

The Chargers and Browns are set to square off this upcoming Sunday.

Here’s how Los Angeles and Cleveland stack up statistically ahead of the Week 9 matchup:

Offense

Category Chargers Browns
Points per game 18.9 ppg (24th) 17.3 ppg (27th)
Passing offense 194.0 ypg (24th) 179.8 ypg (29th)
Rushing offense 117.1 ypg (20th) 92.5 ypg (27th)
Total offense 311.1 ypg (23rd) 272.3 ypg (31st)
3rd down conversions 40.40% (9th) 27.68% (32nd)
Red zone scoring 43.75% (30th) 61.54% (9th)
Sacks allowed 18 (14th) 37 (32nd)
Turnovers 4 (3rd) 9 (18th)

Defense

Category Chargers Browns
Points allowed 13.0 ppg (1st) 23.3 ppg (18th)
Passing defense 193.4 ypg (9th) 200.6 ypg (12th)
Rushing defense 112.0 ypg (11th) 125.9 ypg (17th)
Total defense 305.4 ypg (8th) 326.5 ypg (14th)
3rd down conversions 32.22% (5th) 31.07% (3rd)
Red zone defense 41.67% (4th) 58.33% (18th)
Sacks 18 (18th) 21 (9th)
Takeaways 10 (14th) 5 (26th)

 

Anfernee Orji is becoming one of the Saints’ best players on special teams

Anfernee Orji’s development isn’t just at linebacker. He’s become one of the leading tacklers on special teams as well, and a key figure in the game’s third phase:

The leap from Year 1 to Year 2 for Anfernee Orji has been evaluated before. Head coach Dennis Allen and All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis have praised the young player for his ability to develop and better learn his role defensively, but he’s worked hard to help out in the game’s third phase, too.

Orji’s development runs deeper than just defense. He’s becoming one of the New Orleans Saints’ best players on special teams. Bill Belichick crafted a midseason team and Orji was one of three Saints players to be included in the list.

This week Saints special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was asked about Orji’s inclusion on Thursday and like Belichick he highlighted the second year player’s contribution in kickoff return. He’s second to only J.T. Gray in tackles on kickoff return.

“He came out he gate, first game of the year, I think he had the first three tackles. He’s played very consistently on that team,” Rizzi said. He sees a player who has made “a huge improvement from Year 1 to Year 2.”

Kickoff returns are important for New Orleans. Rizzi helped push the new rule through and is taking advantage of it. Orji being a productive part of that unit makes him vital special teams player. If the Saints are going to turn this season around and end their losing streak, it’ll be because young, hungry players like Orji refuse to back down.

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Wisconsin leads Iowa in a key statistic that often decides the Heartland Trophy

Wisconsin leads Iowa in a key statistic that often decides the Heartland Trophy

Games in the storied rivalry between the Wisconsin Badgers and Iowa Hawkeyes are often defined by toughness, running the football and field position.

It’s no grand proclamation to say that the winner of Saturday’s matchup between the two teams will be the one that dominates the trenches and controls the game. Any fan of the sport can recognize that.

Related: Ranking the biggest storylines entering Wisconsin’s rivalry battle with Iowa

But there is one other stat that has decided every Wisconsin vs. Iowa game over the last four years — one that also points to a Badger victory in the 2024 edition.

That stat: punting average.

The team with the higher-ranked punter has won every matchup since 2019 — when Wisconsin won 24-22 despite P Anthony Lotti ranking near the bottom of the Big Ten with 39.7 yards per punt.

If the parameters are not clear, here is the result of the last four meetings in the rivalry, paired with where each team’s punter ranks in the Big Ten in season-long punting average:

  • 2020: Iowa 28-7 win. Iowa P Tory Taylor had a season-long average of 44.1 yards per punt (3rd in Big Ten), while Wisconsin P Andy Vujnovich had a mark of 41.7 (10th in Big Ten)
  • 2021: Wisconsin 27-7 win. Wisconsin P Andy Vujnovich at 46.4 (2nd in Big Ten), with Iowa P Tory Taylor at 46.1 (4th in Big Ten)
  • 2022: Iowa 24-10 win. Iowa P Tory Taylor at 45.4 yards per punt (2nd in Big Ten), with Wisconsin P Andy Vujnovich at 43.9 (9th in Big Ten)
  • 2023: Iowa 15-6 win. Iowa P Tory Taylor at 48.2 (1st in the Big Ten), with Wisconsin P Atticus Bertrams at 41.3 (13th in the Big Ten)

The winner of every meeting, as shown, has boasted the punter with the greater season-long punting average. Iowa great Tory Taylor tipped these scales with his All-American-caliber play, which coincided with the Hawkeyes winning three of four meetings.

Entering the 2024 matchup, the Badgers have this trend going in their direction. P Atticus Bertrams enters Saturday with a season-long punting average of 46.3 (4th in the Big Ten). Iowa P Rhys Dakin, meanwhile, is down at 44.8 (7th in the Big Ten).

There are better ways to evaluate punters than by their average. Some combination of punts inside the 10 yard-line, punts inside the 20, punting net (yards-minus-returns) and overall average paint a better picture.

Regardless, this exercise should show that Bertrams and Dakin are at least close in overall production — a reality that Wisconsin could rarely boast during Taylor’s storied career.

If more evidence was needed on Bertrams’ current form, take it from Penn State coach James Franklin in his postgame press conference after a 28-13 win over the Badgers:

“Starting field position, that was the difference in the game, especially early on. That’s why it was so challenging. I think their punter is really good.”

Bertrams notched 257 total yards and a 51.4 average on five punts, plus took a fake punt for a 15-yard rush and a first down. He had a dominant evening, and was far from the reason the Badgers lost.

That form could give Wisconsin the punting advantage on Saturday, which is a key factor in what projects to be a hard-fought game decided by field position.

If trends are any indication, that advantage will lead to a victory.

For more on the upcoming matchup and the Badgers’ possible advantages, check out our ranking of the game’s biggest storylines and the Badgers’ updated two-deep depth chart entering the big matchup.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 8

The Chargers defense continues to be one of the best in the NFL

The Chargers improved to 4-3 after beating the Saints in Week 8.

Los Angeles’ passing offense is starting to come alive, while the defense continues to be one of the best units in the league.

With Week 9 coming up, how do the Bolts compare to the rest of the NFL? Here is where Los Angeles ranks:

Offense

Category Stat Rank
Points per game 18.9 ppg 24th
Passing offense 194.0 ypg 24th
Rushing offense 117.1 ypg 20th
Total offense 311.1 ypg 23rd
3rd down conversions 40.40% 9th
Red zone scoring 43.75% 30th
Sacks allowed 18 14th
Turnovers 4 3rd

Defense

Category Stat Rank
Points allowed 13.0 ppg 1st
Passing defense 193.4 ypg 9th
Rushing defense 112.0 ypg 11th
Total defense 305.4 ypg 8th
3rd down conversions 32.22% 5th
Red zone defense 41.67% 4th
Sacks 18 18th
Takeaways 10 14th