Notes: Tyler Biadasz and D'Cota Dixon overcome injuries to provide big plays for UW

Jeff Potrykus
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Redshirt freshman receiver Kendric Pryor scampers 32 yards for a Wisconsin touchdown on an end-around play against Michigan on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. Pryor got key blocks from center Tyler Biadasz, who was questionable to play early last week, and Beau Benzschawel on the play.

MADISON – Wisconsin’s Tyler Biadasz was determined to do everything in his power to play against Michigan.

“I thought I was going to play in the beginning of the week,” the redshirt freshman center said after UW’s 24-10 victory Saturday at Camp Randal Stadium. “I was battling. I was doing a lot of rehab all week.”

Biadasz appeared to suffer a left knee injury while blocking downfield on a screen pass to Jonathan Taylor late in the first half against Iowa. 

He played one series in the second half but came out of the game because he wasn’t able to move well enough to be effective, and Jason Erdmann finished the game. 

The staff was overly cautious throughout the week with Biadasz, who was seen doing individual drills after practice with a trainer watching.

“I knew my body, how I was recovering and how my leg was doing,” Biadasz said. “Each day it got better and better.”

Biadasz  was finally cleared on Friday to play and started his 11th game of the season on Saturday.

UW struggled early to run the ball and the Wolverines too often got early pressure on quarterback Alex Hornibrook.

Nevertheless, the offense put together back-to-back touchdown drives in the third quarter to erase a 10-7 deficit and the play of the line was key on both series.

Biadasz and right guard Beau Benzschawel threw key blocks on Kendric Pryor’s 32-yard touchdown on an end-around.

That duo also threw key blocks on Pryor’s 25-yard touchdown run against Iowa.

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On Saturday, Biadasz threw a kick-out block on cornerback David Long behind the line of scrimmage and Benzschawel shoved cornerback Josh Metellus down to the turf at the 18 to clear Pryor’s path to the end zone. 

“I always get excited,” Biadasz said. “I knew I had a key block again. I knew whatever I had to do I had to get it done.

“The execution was there with everyone.”

Dixon returns: Safety D’Cota Dixon, who missed two of the three previous games because of a right leg injury, looked more mobile than he has in several weeks and recorded four tackles and a pass break-up. 

“Any time that you get one of your players that can come back and play, you feel good as a coach,” UW coach Paul Chryst said. “They spend so much time preparing for these moments. To be able to play and participate in those moments, that's what it's all about. 

“And certainly, Tyler and D'Cota are examples of it this week. ...

“The games are limited, and you want them to be able to have as many opportunities as they can. And, certainly, I think our whole team gets energized when you get another guy back because they care about each other.”

Dixon said he wasn’t sure how much he would be able to play and credited defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard for limiting his load in practice. 

“He didn’t want me to push it,” Dixon said. “He does a really good job of working with me and (avoiding) irritating it.

“Honestly I was just going day by day, rep by rep. Fortunately, it worked out and I was able to get some plays in today. Thankful for that.”

Talented trio: Wide receivers A.J. Taylor, DannyDavis and Pryor have been asked several times how the unit will overcome the loss of Quintez Cephus, who suffered a season-ending leg injury at Indiana.

That trio for the second consecutive game answered with its play on the field.

Taylor led the way with three catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. His 51-yard reception, on third and 13, set up UW’s second touchdown. That came courtesy of Taylor, who had a 24-yard reception on third and 16.

Davis had just one catch but it was a spectacular 27-yard grab against tight coverage.

That gave UW a first down at the Michigan 32 and Pryor scored on the next play.

“Certainly, there’s a little bit more on them,” Chryst said, referring to the loss of Cephus, “and each one came up with big plays. 

"I thought, obviously, K.P.'s run on the reverse, guys blocked it up and he finished it. Danny and A.J. made big plays. They need to do that, right? That’s who you’ve got.”

Peters knocked out: Michigan’s offense suffered a key loss when quarterback Brandon Peters was knocked out of the game by Andrew Van Ginkel with 2 minutes 13 seconds left in the third quarter. 

Van Ginkel looped around from right end and came free through the middle of the line and drilled Peters just after he released the ball. 

The pass was incomplete, Peters landed hard on his left shoulder and then his head banged off the turf. He was taken off the field on a cart.

John O’Korn replaced Peters, who had completed 27 of 45 attempts (60%) for 325 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions, during the Wolverines’ three-game winning streak. 

O’Korn, who replaced injured starter Wilton Speight in the fifth game and lost the starting job to Peters two weeks ago, finished 2 of 8 for 19 yards. Peters completed 9 of 18 passes for 157 yards before the injury.

“Brandon I thought was very good,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We can’t get him hit as much. I thought we needed to get better at that.”

Extra points: Cornerback Nick Nelson broke up two passes to push his season total to 20, a program record. Mike Echols held the record with 19 in 2000. …

UW has beaten Michigan four consecutive times in Madison — 2005, 2007, 2009 and Saturday. …

Jonathan Taylor (19 carries, 132 yards) broke the 100-yard mark for the eighth time this season. …

UW improved to 18-2 in November games over the past four seasons.