Sports - The Daily Cardinal

FOOTBALL

Running back depth key for UW when Badgers travel to Indiana

By Lorin Cox | Nov. 2, 2017

The Wisconsin “football factory” has been working overtime this season to produce quality running backs in a seemingly neverending army of talented ball carriers in the backfield. At the start of the season, everyone was expecting a two-headed monster of redshirt sophomore Bradrick Shaw and redshirt junior transfer Chris James to carry the load, but they were quickly overshadowed by freshman Jonathan Taylor, who at one point looked like a darkhorse Heisman candidate. Now, entering Week 10 against the Indiana Hoosiers (0-5 Big Ten, 3-5 overall), the Badgers (5-0, 8-0) will be relying on redshirt freshman Garrett Groshek and redshirt senior graduate transfer Rachid Ibrahim to power the all-important rushing attack. Taylor and James are questionable for Saturday’s game with left leg injuries, while Shaw is still active in the rotation but running at less than 100-percent health. Groshek has seen his playing time steadily increase in each of the previous three weeks, from two carries against Purdue up to 12 last week in Illinois.

This is Wisconsin's most anticipated series this season. Wisconsin's last matchup against a top-20 opponent at home was against Ohio State, which saw the Badgers win the first game and lose the second.

MEN'S HOCKEY

Big game for the "big boys:" Wisconsin hosts North Dakota in top-10 matchup

By Ethan Levy | Nov. 2, 2017

For the first time since 2010, the Kohl Center will be hosting a top-ten men’s hockey matchup. The No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers, for the first time in three years, have cracked the top-10 of the USCHO poll after a couple of seasons rebuilding a largely storied program.

FOOTBALL

Wisconsin looks to overpower struggling Indiana

By Michael Parsky | Nov. 2, 2017

Heading into the final third of the season, the Indiana Hoosiers looked to play the role of The Little Engine That Could — both so close to climbing over the mountain, yet so far.

Whether you like writing or math, drawing or video producing, there's a little bit of everything at the Cardinal. You can try it all — and find a welcoming community.

SPORTS

In latest installment of the historic rivalry, Dirty Birds look to knock noses off Gentle Clowns once again

By Foot Bahl | Nov. 2, 2017

Some have called the rivalry between The Daily Cardinal and The Badger Herald the last great newspaper battle in the country. And like every good rivalry, such as the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals, there needs to be one dominant force and one force that lives to be dominated.

Offensive lineman Michael Deiter scored a touchdown last weekend, but David Edwards could have easily had that glory instead.

FOOTBALL

Big men, big play: How Edwards almost had Deiter's glory

By Lorin Cox | Nov. 2, 2017

Michael Dieter finally got to live the glory he was always forced to watch as a bystander. Late in the fourth quarter against Illinois, the Wisconsin Badgers dialed up a trick play.

MEN'S TENNIS

Carranza, Dodridge make UW history, win ITA Regionals, qualify for Nationals

By Kelly Ward | Nov. 2, 2017

When Chema Carranza and Joe Dodridge made history last week, the senior tennis players were both so overcome with emotion that they didn’t know what to say to each other. After missing their chance at qualifying for the ITA Nationals at a tournament in Tulsa last month, Carranza and Dodridge both knew that winning out at the ITA Regionals was their last shot.

Freshman Kobe King has averaged 29 minutes of action in Wisconsin's last two games, and his presence has provided more space for Ethan Happ and the rest of the offense.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

After slow start, freshmen help carry UW to exhibition victory over Northern Iowa

By Ben Pickman | Nov. 1, 2017

It took almost seven minutes for the Wisconsin Badgers to score its second field goal of the game.

Senior linebacker T.J. Edwards will be looking to stop Nebraska's dual threat quarterback Adrian Martinez

COLUMNS

On eve of first playoff ranking, Badger fans need to prepare for rude awakening

By Sebastian van Bastelaer | Oct. 30, 2017

The Chinese philosopher Confucius once said that “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” William Shakespeare echoed him, saying “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” If these erudite thinkers were indeed correct, then I must be the wisest man of all time when it comes to the College Football Playoff rankings.

Even with a regular season title in hand, Baylee Wellhausen and the Badgers are looking to sweep Minnesota this weekend

WOMEN'S HOCKEY

Badgers sweep Golden Gophers in road Border Battle

By Suzie Kazar | Oct. 29, 2017

The No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers (6-0-0-0 WCHA, 12-0-0 overall) continued their undefeated season this weekend against archrival Minnesota Golden Gophers ( 4-3-1-0 ,5-4-1) in the Twin Cities, extending their record on the year to 12-0-0.

Kelli Bates and the Badgers advanced to the Sweet Sixteen after two postseason road sweeps.

VOLLEYBALL

Seniors find redemption as Wisconsin routs Northwestern in straight sets

By David Gwidt | Oct. 29, 2017

Following the loss to top-ranked Penn State on the road this past Wednesday, Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield spoke very candidly about his disappointment with the play of the Badgers’ starting outside hitters, publicly criticizing the lack of production he saw from seniors Kelli Bates and Lauryn Gillis. But the two veteran attackers took the scrutiny in stride and responded to their coach’s call to action with a much-improved performance Saturday night against Northwestern.

MEN'S HOCKEY

Defensive miscues for UW lead to unexpected lackluster loss

By Cameron Lane-Flehinger | Oct. 28, 2017

Call it a letdown, call it a hangover. Whatever its name, the Wisconsin men’s hockey team (1-1-0 Big Ten, 6-3-0 overall) experienced it Saturday night against St. Lawrence.

Illinois had an easy Week 1, but will face tougher tests from here on out.

FOOTBALL

Badgers show backfield depth after injury to Jonathan Taylor

By Ben Pickman | Oct. 28, 2017

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.— Two years ago, when Garrett Groshek first arrived at UW-Madison, he had little to no experience at the running back position.

FOOTBALL

'The ultimate teammate': Dixon leads Badgers defense to victory from the sideline

By Lorin Cox | Oct. 28, 2017

The most important member of the No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers’ defense in their 24-10 win over Illinois might have been the guy who didn’t play a single snap. Redshirt junior safety D’Cota Dixon sat out of the game after testing his injured left leg in warmups, but he still found a way to make a major impact in his team’s victory.

Derrick Tindal Interception vs. Illinois

FOOTBALL

Led by stout defense, Wisconsin continues unbeaten streak with 24-10 win over Illinois

By Ben Pickman | Oct. 28, 2017

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.— After its first nine plays on offense, No. 5 Wisconsin (5-0 Big Ten, 8-0 overall) had amassed a mere 13 yards.

Seamus Malone helped the Badgers earn a win on Saturday after a lackluster loss on Friday.

MEN'S HOCKEY

Powerplay integral in UW's 4-2 win over St. Lawrence

By Ethan Levy | Oct. 27, 2017

Simply, the Badgers dominated St. Lawrence in the opening game of their weekend series. Ultimately, Wisconsin outshot the SLU 42-19, which is an impressive margin — but, more shockingly, UW recorded 84 shot attempts to the Saints 40.

Abby Roque and the Badgers face Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. UW lost to the Gophers 3-1 last week in the WCHA Tournament championship.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY

Badgers look to extend perfect season and sweep Border Battle

By Nathan Denzin | Oct. 27, 2017

The No. 1 Badgers (10-0-0) are heading to Ridder Arena in Minnesota to play the No. 6 Golden Gophers (5-2-1) this weekend, after a sweep Bemidji State at home.

Kyle Hayton played well, but the Badgers couldn't provide enough offensive support in 4-2 loss.

MEN'S HOCKEY

Hayton to face alma mater when Saints travel to Madison this weekend

By Cameron Lane-Flehinger | Oct. 27, 2017

It’s homecoming weekend for Kyle Hayton. But instead of going back to college, the senior goaltender’s college is coming to him. When the former St.

After sitting out a season due to transfer regulations, Nick Nelson has transitioned seamlessly back to the field.

FOOTBALL

'It's Nick City': Transfer cornerback Nick Nelson anchoring Wisconsin's secondary

By Ben Pickman | Oct. 26, 2017

In a few weeks, once winter strikes Madison, Nick Nelson will spend more time figuring out what he’s going to wear around campus than what he was previously used to.

Wisconsin looks to continue its winning ways against Cornell this weekend.

SWIMMING AND DIVING

Finding a new home: After recent cuts at the University of North Dakota, Campbell and Zelen are making a new mark at UW

By Kelly Ward | Oct. 26, 2017

Looking back on it, junior Tyler Zelen seemed destined to swim at the University of North Dakota.

Quintez Cephus has been a spark plug for the Badger offense, and gives them some much needed balance on that side of the ball.

FOOTBALL

Young UW receivers starring for Wisconsin

By Jake Nisse | Oct. 26, 2017

Early in the second quarter against Maryland Saturday, sophomore wide receiver Quintez Cephus caught the ball in the middle of the field and wiggled loose for a 30-yard gain. In the short term, Cephus had set up the Badgers with a scoring opportunity at the Terrapins’ three-yard line, and freshman running back Jonathan Taylor converted the chance on the next play. On a broader level, however, Cephus’ catch was more than just a handy chunk play for Wisconsin.