From Wisconsin Badgers On SI · · 1m 40s
Wisconsin Badgers Lose to UCLA in Defensive Struggles
Wisconsin's defense struggles as they lose 17-7 to UCLA in Rose Bowl.
In brief
Wisconsin's defense struggles as they lose 17-7 to UCLA in Rose Bowl. Wisconsin's defense failed to contain UCLA's offense despite a solid performance against rushing, leading to a 17-7 loss. Originally reported by Wisconsin Badgers On SI.
Game Result
Wisconsin lost 17-7 to No. 12 UCLA in the Rose Bowl after a bye week.
“Wisconsin failed to rise to the occasion in a 17-7 loss to No. 12 UCLA”
Offensive Struggles
Wisconsin's offense struggled mightily through the air during the game.
“The Badgers’ offense struggled mightily through the air”
Defensive Line
Defensive line limited UCLA's running back Wayne Knight to 23 yards on 13 carries.
“Wisconsin’s defensive front deserves considerable credit for limiting Wayne Knight to just 23 yards on 13 carries”
Defensive Line
Edge rusher Nick Clayton recorded first career sack with five pressures.
“Edge rusher Nick Clayton generated five pressures and recorded the first sack of his collegiate career”
Defensive Line
Defensive tackle Junior Poyser batted down a pass for second consecutive game.
“On the interior, defensive tackle Junior Poyser missed his lone tackle attempt but batted down a pass for the second consecutive game”
Linebackers
Linebacker Mason Posa recorded seven tackles and five pressures with a 77.6 PFF grade.
“Mason Posa continues to live up to his reputation as a road warrior, recording seven tackles, a tackle for loss and five pressures en route to the team’s highest PFF grade at 77.6”
Linebackers
Linebacker Cooper Catalano earned a season-low 63.5 PFF grade with five tackles.
“His running mate Cooper Catalano wasn’t quite as effective, earning a season-low 63.5 PFF grade while missing a tackle”
Defensive Backs
Defensive back Marvin Burks Jr. recorded two interceptions and three tackles.
“At safety, Marvin Burks Jr. delivered his most impactful performance as a Badger, hauling in two interceptions to go along with three tackles”
Special Teams
Kicker Gavin Lahm missed his first field goal attempt after starting 9-for-9.
“After starting the season a perfect 9-for-9 on field-goal attempts, kicker Gavin Lahm picked an unfortunate time for his first miss”
Defensive Line Grade
Defensive line earned a B grade for containing UCLA's rushing attack.
“Holding Knight in check was no small feat, and Wisconsin’s ability to contain UCLA’s rushing attack warrants a solid grade”
Linebackers Grade
Linebackers earned a B+ grade for containing UCLA's rushing attack.
“Between their contributions against the run and Posa’s disruptive performance, I’d argue this was Wisconsin’s strongest position group Saturday”
Defensive Backs Grade
Defensive backs earned a C grade for failing to stop UCLA's passing game.
“This wasn’t necessarily a case of Wisconsin’s secondary getting torched. The Badgers weren’t consistently beaten badly downfield”
Special Teams Grade
Special teams earned a C- grade due to kicker Gavin Lahm's missed field goal.
“Special teams certainly weren’t the reason the Badgers lost, but with Lahm’s missed field goal standing out as the unit’s most consequential play”
Next Game
Wisconsin faces high-powered USC offense next week at Camp Randall Stadium.
“That won’t be an easy task with a high-powered USC offense coming to Camp Randall Stadium next week”
The bottom line
Wisconsin's defense failed to contain UCLA's offense despite a solid performance against rushing, leading to a 17-7 loss.
