UW's defense allowed too many big hits, but critical plays in the red zone eased the pain

MADISON – In the days leading to Wisconsin’s Big Ten opener at Iowa, UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard made a salient point in discussing the state of his unit through three games.

That point also foreshadowed a pair of critical sequences in UW’s 28-17 victory.

“Teams are going to hit some plays on us,” Leonhard said. “We have to continue to stress that.

“That is when the third downs and the red zone come into play.”

Iowa hit UW with six plays of 20 yards or more, including five passes.

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Through four games, UW’s defense has allowed 11 plays of 20 yards or longer – three runs and eight passes. That is an average of 2.8 big plays surrendered per game. 

UW’s veteran defense last season allowed a total of 39 big plays – 10 runs and 29 passes – in 14 games. That is an average of 2.8 per game.

Only one team generated at least six plays of 20 yards or longer against UW’s defense last season. That was Miami, which had seven big plays in a 10-point loss in the Orange Bowl.

UW’s defense overcame the big plays by Iowa by making two critical stops in the red zone. 

The first stop came on Iowa’s first possession. 

Iowa drove from its 15 to the UW 10, where it faced second and 6. 

Defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk tackled tailback Toren Young for a 2-yard loss on second down. Safety Scott Nelson then tackled tailback Ivory Kelly-Martin a yard short of the first-down marker, setting up fourth and 1 at the 5.

Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley tried to sneak for the first down, but UW’s line won the battle up front and linebacker Chris Orr drilled Stanley for no gain.

UW then drove 95 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Then in early in the third quarter, Stanley hit tight end T.J. Hockenson for 45 yards to the UW 6.

But on third and goal from the 2, linebacker Ryan Connelly defeated the block of fullback Brady Ross and dropped Kelly-Martin for a 4-yard loss. 

Iowa settled for a field goal and a 10-7 lead. 

“That’s incredible,” Fox analyst Joel Klatt said of Connelly’s play during the telecast. “Jumps right over the fullback, Brady Ross, who has been having a nice night.”

UW’s defense then avoided some of the breakdowns that had led to the big plays. 

Iowa generated one play of 20 yards or longer in its next four possessions and UW scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally for the victory.

UW coach Paul Chryst didn’t sound surprised that the defense made critical plays in the red zone and eventually slowed Iowa’s offense.

“Iowa made plays, too, with good players,” he said. “It was a game that way. Guys fought and you knew it was going to be back and forth. 

“I was proud the way the guys handled it.”