It finally looks as though the special teams of the No. 23 Wisconsin Badgers (2-0 Big Ten, 5-1 overall) are starting to live up to their name. For it was not the high-powered offense or the stifling defense that swung the momentum against Penn State last Saturday, but rather the oft-maligned third unit that has been heavily criticized.
\We knocked two balls out on a kickoff and then we had the punt return. Special teams definitely won today and we need it, we definitely need it,"" junior defensive back Jim Leonhard said.
The special teams needed it more as a morale boost than anything else. Going into the Penn State game, the Badgers' special teams were hardly what one would consider consistent.
True, the punt-rush unit has had success blocking punts, but the Badgers have given up big kick returns against West Virginia, North Carolina and Illinois; all three being potential tide-turners.
The kicking game has also struggled. Junior kicker Mike Allen and senior kicker Scott Campbell have both had trouble finding a rhythm. But many aspects of the special teams problems looked like distant memories against the Nittany Lions.
The Badgers' special teams unit forced two fumbles on returns, returned a punt for a touchdown, provided their own big kick return and prevented big kick returns by using a squib kick on kickoffs for most of the game.
""We haven't been a stellar outfit,"" Head Coach Barry Alvarez said. ""We have given up some kicks and I just felt, I was willing to give up 10 yards and spot it down there on the 30 and it worked out pretty well, because it was a slick ball and we were able to knock one loose.""
On a day when the offense was inconsistent much of the game in no small part to the rain and injuries, and the defense could find no answer to the Nittany Lions' air attack, it fell squarely on the shoulders of the special teams to come through.
More importantly, everyone was pitching in on special teams. Senior linebackers Jeff Mack and Alex Lewis each forced fumbles by Penn State sophomore kick returner Calvin Lowry. Mack's play set up a touchdown right before halftime. Sophomore wide receiver Brandon Williams had a 55-yard kickoff return in the second quarter that set up an Allen field goal. But it was two other special-team plays that really meant the difference for UW.
Leonhard's 65-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter gave the Badgers a solid 23-9 advantage. Leonhard caught the ball in the middle of the field, made a slight juke and raced down the left sideline for the score.
""I saw a seam, broke a tackle, and there was nobody else there. It was great blocking,"" Leonhard said.
Had it not been for a great block thrown by freshman running back Booker Stanley, Leonhard may have never made it to the end zone. Stanley threw a tremendous block on Penn State freshman punter Jeremy Kapinos that sprung Leonhard.
""I saw him at the end coming and I couldn't believe it; I'm like, 'okay, well I'll at least do something,'"" Stanley said. ""I lined him up and I didn't get him as much as I wanted to get him, but I got a little chip off his shoulder and it helped out and we got that touchdown. My eyes got big when I saw the guy, I'm like 'oh man here's a chance to take a guy out,' well not trying to hurt him you know, but just get a nice block on him and spring Jimmy [Leonhard], and that happened.""
The second play that proved pivotal for the Badger victory was the punt by junior R.J. Morse with 33 seconds left in the game. With the Badgers up only a touchdown and the defense having trouble stopping the pass, Morse blasted the ball 49 yards, where it was downed at the Penn State one-yard line. Not only was it a great punt, but the coverage team made the play when it was needed.
With Ohio State coming into town this Saturday, it is essential for the Badgers to be clicking on every cylinder. If the offense is thwarted, the Badgers will need those field goals, those field position punts and those big kick returns. Likewise, the coverage units must make it hard on Ohio State by not letting them have easy scoring opportunities.
""I think in this kind of game, points in the special teams-either kicking or blocked kicks or returns-is really important,"" senior quarterback Jim Sorgi said. ""Those hidden yards you get in special teams and those hidden points can be a big confidence booster for a team, especially when momentum is not with you.\
