Tag: the grit factory

Jim Leonhard wins the Grit Factory Worker of the Week

Interim head coach Jim Leonhard wins arguably the most prestigious weekly award any man could win – the Grit Factory Worker of the Week. #Badgers

Madison, Wis. — On Sunday, interim head coach Jim Leonhard was the recipient of what many are calling the most prestigious award any man could win – the Grit Factory Worker of the Week.

Here is the official statement from the Grit Factory’s Twitter account:

“The boys and staff had been through a storm this week. Life tends to throw things at you that are out of your control, and you’re given a choice on how to respond. The only way to handle such a week was to come together, and in a tough predicament, someone had to rally the troops. Coach Leonhard found a way to make a hard situation into a big win in Evanston this weekend. The first of many for the man the boys would go to war for. Jimmy Leonhard was born in The Grit Factory.”

It was an emotional week for the Wisconsin football program following long-time head coach Paul Chryst’s firing. He was a father figure, mentor, and friend to many of the UW players. 

Nonetheless, there was still a game to be played at the house of horrors (Ryan Field).

With minimal notice, coach Leonhard was able to rally the team, create a solid game plan against Northwestern, and play aggressive, inspired football that led to the ass-kicking of the Wildcats in Evanston.

It’s hard to argue with anyone other than coach Leonhard winning The Grit Factory Worker of the Week. Tip of the cap to Jim for his first win as head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers – I feel confident saying many more are to come.

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Badgers RB Isaac Guerendo wins the Grit Factory Worker of the Week

Running back Isaac Guerendo wins arguably the most prestigious weekly award any man could win – the Grit Factory Worker of the Week. #Badgers

Earlier this week, senior running back Isaac Guerendo was the recipient of what many are calling the most prestigious award any man could win – the Grit Factory Worker of the Week.

Here is the official statement from the Grit Factory’s Twitter account:

“After getting back on track in Week 3, our Grit Factory Worker of the Week is Isaac Guerendo. IG’s a big example to this team of getting back up when life hits you with curveballs. After getting a taste of success and suffering a frustrating injury in warm-ups last season, Isaac battled his way back to health and the depth chart to get back on the field this season. Anyone in the locker room knows how much time he dedicates to his health and his craft. You’ll see him in the building early in the morning and see him still there when the day is gone. Yesterday he set the tone for the game with a 50-yard kickoff return and finished the day with 74 rushing yards and 2 TDs. He creates a different spark to this squad. Welcome back, Isaac; you make us better everyday.”

You can add me to the list of people impressed by the 6-foot, 223-pound RB through the team’s first three games.

So far, Guerendo has carried the ball 17 times for 91 yards (5.4 YPC) and scored three touchdowns – also catching three passes for 18 yards out of the backfield.

Another area he’s impacted the team has come via special teams.

Although he’s only had three kickoff returns this season, he’s totaled 102 return yards (34 YPA) – which has been a shot in the arm to the Badgers’ return game.

Guerendo has proven to be an explosive playmaker for the Badgers, and I feel the coaching staff should work to find ways to get him onto the field more often. Whether those touches come via jet sweeps or out of the backfield doesn’t matter – the kid is electric.

Either way, here’s a collective tip of the cap to Isaac for winning the Grit Factory Worker of the Week from the 66-7 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies.

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Safety Preston Zachman wins the Grit Factory Worker of the Week

Safety Preston Zachman wins arguably the most prestigious weekly award any man could win – the Grit Factory Worker of the Week. #Badgers

Earlier this week, redshirt sophomore safety Preston Zachman was the recipient of what many are calling the most prestigious award any man could win – the Grit Factory Worker of the Week.

Here is the official statement from the Grit Factory’s Twitter account:

Preston Zachman, “The Mechanic” is our first Grit Factory Worker of the Week for the 2022 season. We call him that because his brakes are always right and clean on receivers, and dammit, he showed that last night in his debut at safety. For the past year and a half, Preston’s had to battle the adversity of injuries, a new position, and climbing back up the depth chart, and through that time, he’s been the same guy every single day; handling business and being a great teammate. In his first game back he set the tone with 2 tackles and a beautiful INT. His story already inspires the locker room to keep going, no matter how the circumstances stack up. The Grit Factory would like to officially introduce to you, The Mechanic.

I, too, thought Zachman stood out in his 14 snaps on Saturday night. According to PFF, the 6-foot-1, 208-pound S was the Badgers’ highest-graded defender (91.0), recording two tackles and an interception.

With Hunter Wohler expected to miss a significant amount of time, the Badgers will get an extended look at the Pennsylvania native, who overcame considerable adversity to position himself for a more prominent role in Jim Leonhard’s defense.

We’re all rooting for you, Preston, and here’s a collective tip of the cap for winning the first Grit Factory Worker of the Week for the 2022 season.

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Contact/Follow us @TheBadgersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin news, notes, opinion, and analysis. You can also follow Dillon Graff on Twitter @DillonGraff.

LOOK: Wisconsin gives The Heartland Trophy a new look

The Badgers return the trophy to Madison

Wisconsin’s defense, as they have done all year long, showed up in the Badgers’ 27-7 win over Iowa.

Iowa turned the football over three times and failed to pick up a first down on their first six drives of the game. As a result, Wisconsin took The Heartland Trophy back to Madison.

The Badger defense showed off a new tradition on Saturday, when they brought out a turnover trucker hat. Whenever a Wisconsin player came up with a turnover, they got to wear the prestigious hat.

Where did the hat end up? Well, of course it ended up on the trophy. Wisconsin safety Collin Wilder shared a picture of “the grit factory,” hat proudly worn by the bull: