Wisconsin Football: Run Defense Suffocating Its Opponents

Much has been made about how incredibly well the Wisconsin Badgers’ defense has bounced back after a down year in 2018. Well, that defensive domination starts upfront with the nation’s leading run defense.

For years, Wisconsin Football has been synonymous with stifling defense. In fact, in every year since 2013, their defense has finished top 10 in the country in yards per game allowed. That was until last year.

Several things went wrong last year for a team that finished with their worst win percentage (.615) since 2012. The defense wasn’t exempt from that disappointment, and though 24th in the nation in yards per game allowed isn’t exactly terrible, it was far below the team’s normally lofty expectations for the unit.

But that’s all history because 2019 has been a huge bounce-back season for Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard and his crew. Their 176.5 yards per game allowed, lead the nation by 58.2 yards per game over the next closest team (Ohio State). They also have an unheard-of four shutouts in six games, including last week’s dismantling of Michigan State at home.

The pass defense has certainly contributed to this in a big way, sitting 2nd best in the nation by allowing just 129.0 passing yards per game. The rushing defense, though, has been nearly impenetrable. Wisconsin has given up just 47.5 rushing yards per game, leading all FBS teams. Averaging 7.3 tackles for loss per game, tied for 26th most in the nation, certainly helps in that respect.

To see just how impressive the Badger rushing defense has been this year, take a look at how each of this year’s first six opponents’ leading rushers have done in 2019:

South Florida – Jordan Cronkite (382 yards rushing, 4.8 yards per rush)

Central Michigan – Jonathan Ward (531 yds, 7.4 ypr)

Michigan – Zach Charbonnet (376 yds, 4.8 ypr)

Northwestern – Drake Anderson (366 yds, 4.9 ypr)

Kent State – Jo-El Shaw (298 yds, 5.0 ypr)

Michigan State – Elijah Collins (492 yds, 5.0 ypr)

Now see how they did against the Badgers:

Cronkite – 6 rushes for 9 yards, 1.5 yards per rush

Ward – 1/3, 3.0 ypr

Charbonnet – 2/6, 3.0 ypr

Anderson – 16/68, 1 TD, 4.2 ypr

Shaw – 6/20, 3.3 ypr

Collins – 8/20, 2.0 ypr

Anderson was the only running back to find even moderate success against the Badgers’ rushing defense and he scored the only rushing touchdown that Wisconsin has given up this year. But of course, the Wildcats always seem to find a way to give the Badgers fits.

Now it’s not like the Badgers have faced the most vaunted rushing attacks. Central Michigan and Kent State are the only teams in the top 60 in the nation in rushing yards per game. But then again, playing Wisconsin once so far this year will do that to your rushing offense ranking. The overall results from the Badgers are impressive nonetheless.

The Badger linebacking crew has received plenty of recognition so far this year and has had a big impact on both the rush and pass defense. But the defensive line has come up huge this year too. Juniors Garrett Rand and Isaiahh Loudermilk are fully healthy and wreaking havoc every game. Meanwhile, walk-on sophomore Matt Henningsen has had an impressive second year, tying for the lead among defensive linemen in tackles for loss (3) and leading them in sacks (2) and fumble recoveries (2), returning both fumbles for touchdowns.

The rush defense will face its stiffest test by far in two weeks when they travel to Ohio State. The Buckeyes, led by junior running back J.K. Dobbins, rank 3rd in the country with 289 rushing yards per game. Dobbins piled up 174 yards rushing in his only career game against the Badgers during the 2017 Big Ten Championship game. Wisconsin will look to be more prepared for him during this year’s matchup.

Badger fans are used to a team recipe for success that includes a strong running game and a stout defense. Led by the best rushing defense in the country, the Badgers have proven the latter to be absolutely true in 2019.