Upon further review: UW dominates BYU in all phases

PROVO, Utah – Jeff Potrykus reviews Wisconsin’s 40-6 victory over BYU on Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Offense (A-minus)

Perhaps the only real blemish on this performance came on UW’s first series of the third quarter.

Two penalties – a false start on Michael Deiter and an illegal block on Tyler Biadasz – cost UW 20 yards and left the Badgers in a third-and-24 hole. UW eventually punted. 

“The first drive the start of the second half was really bad,” UW coach Paul Chryst said. “Self-inflicted. We’ve got to learn from that.”

Now to the positives. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook received outstanding protection all game and stepped up into the pocket to find a throwing lane on the times the rush was about to get home. 

He threw on time and on target, got into rhythm early and never lost his touch. According to UW officials, only two FBS quarterbacks since 2000 have completed at least 94% of their passes in a road game. Hornibrook was the second. The first? UW's Russell Wilson in 2011 at Minnesota. 

His receivers, particularly Danny Davis and Quintez Cephus, made plays on the ball despite tight coverage. 

Tailback Jonathan Taylor averaged 7.1 yards per carry despite having a long run of only 18 yards. He had seven runs of 11 yards or more. 

If you want to see how Beau Benzschawel’s mobility helps UW’s ground game, check out his work on Taylor’s 18-yard run to the BYU 29 in the second quarter. Benzschawel pulled from his right guard spot and led Taylor through the hole. He engaged a defender at the 43 and drove him back inside the 35 to help clear a wide path. 

Defense (A-minus)

With BYU starting quarterback Tanner Mangum hurt, the Cougars turned to redshirt sophomore Beau Hoge. That meant a feeling-out process for UW’s defensive players and coaches, who had to see how the BYU offense would change with a running threat in the backfield.

The Cougars fashioned a 61-yard field-goal drive on their second possession but were held to a combined 108 yards on their final seven possessions. 

One strength of this unit appears to be the ability to make in-game and halftime adjustments. 

Natrell Jamerson appears to be growing more comfortable at safety. His best play Saturday came in the second quarter, with BYU facing third and 4 from its 44. Quarterback Beau Hoge eluded the attempted tackle of cornerback Dontye Carriere-Williams in the backfield and the left side of the field open.

Jamerson was at the UW 46 when Hoge eluded Carriere-Williams at the BYU 39. Jamerson attacked the line of scrimmage; Hoge cut toward the sideline; and Jamerson brought him down with an ankle tackle after a gain of just 1. 

Special teams (B-plus)

Zach Hintze, filling in for injured starter P.J. Rosowski, was again outstanding with four touchbacks on seven kickoffs. The coverage on the three returns was above average. 

Anthony Lotti hit punts of 51 and 42 yards.

A.J. Taylor is getting close to breaking a return on kickoffs. 

Coaching (A)

UW took control of this game with a stout defense and an offense that mixed in a few big plays with ball control. The manner in which UW built its lead was methodical and business-like, much like its head coach.

There were too many penalties (6-53), but it appeared the communication on defense was sound and missed assignments were few. 

Young players are better now than they were in Week 1.