Connect with us

Wisconsin

Studs and duds from Wisconsin's win over Rutgers: Tawee Walker's big arrival

Published

on

Studs and duds from Wisconsin's win over Rutgers: Tawee Walker's big arrival


Wisconsin delivered a statement performance in its 42-7 win over Rutgers on Saturday.

It is the team’s second blowout victory in as many weeks, signaling possible improvement — if not a full-on resurgence — under head coach Luke Fickell. The 4-2 overall record and 2-1 record in Big Ten play is important, but not as critical as the team’s fantastic form entering a pivotal portion of the schedule.

 Biggest takeaways from Wisconsin Badgers blowout win over Rutgers

Wisconsin’s dominance was led by an offensive unit that finished the afternoon with 549 total yards — 240 passing and 309 rushing. It was another all-around effort from the offensive line to the skill players. It is a real signal that Phil Longo’s air raid attack is gaining some traction in its second season at the program.

Advertisement

For more on the biggest individual contributors to the victory, and some not-so-fantastic performances, here are our studs and duds from Wisconsin’s dominant win over Rutgers:

STUD: Tawee Walker

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Tawee Walker (3) carries the ball during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Tawee Walker had a career afternoon, totaling 198 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 24 carries. His total is the highest for a Wisconsin running back since Braelon Allen in 2021, and the highest road total since Jonathan Taylor’s trip to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2019.

Walker had already emerged as Wisconsin’s clear RB1. He’s now ascending toward becoming one of the best running backs in the conference.

Advertisement

STUD: The offensive line

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Darrion Dupree (13) celebrates his touchdown run with offensive lineman Jake Renfro (57) during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

No rushing performance is complete without strong play from the offensive line. Saturday was just another instance of the position group being the strength of the 2024 Badgers team. It led the offense to 309 total rushing yards, 6.6 yards per carry and allowed only one sack.

Credit to OL coach A.J. Blazek, who has done a fantastic job with the veteran group. It looks like the best Wisconsin offensive line since 2019.

DUD: Nathanial Vakos

Jan 1, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers punter Gavin Meyers (28) holds the ball for Wisconsin Badgers place kicker Nathanial Vakos (90) during the first half against the LSU Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

Advertisement

It’s hard to find true ‘duds’ from an all-around victory. Kicker Nathanial Vakos will qualify after he missed his only field goal attempt of the afternoon.

STUD: Preston Zachman

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) carries the ball as Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Aaron Witt (59) and safety Preston Zachman (14) pursue during the first half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Preston Zachman had his best game of the season on Saturday, finishing with 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. He has been an unsung hero of the Wisconsin defense to date, forming an excellent safety duo with star Hunter Wohler.

Advertisement

DUD: Hunter Wohler (the punt returner)

Wisconsin Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (24) runs through a drill during fall training camp at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023.

Again, it’s hard to find true ‘duds’ from a great team win.

Wohler had a strong afternoon as the leader of the Badgers’ defense. He’s on this list only as a punt returner, as he nearly muffed Rutgers’ second punt of the afternoon. His inclusion on this list is more of a comment on Wisconsin’s general punt unit. It has been a weak point of the team thus far with several players having muffed kicks.

At least Wohler dove on the loose ball, then proceeded to catch each of Rutgers’ remaining punts.

Advertisement

STUD: Nyzier Fourqurean

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean (3) celebrates after a defense stop during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Fourqurean had a fantastic afternoon against Rutgers. He finished with two key solo tackles and one pass deflection. Each of his plays on the ball came at big moments when Rutgers was attempting to extend a drive. He stood out as one of Wisconsin’s best players of the afternoon.

DUD: The entire Rutgers team

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano walks on the field before the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Not sure what else can be said about the Rutgers team that was 4-0 two weeks ago, and just looked the way it did against the Badgers.

Advertisement

Head coach Greg Schiano said postgame the team ‘couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time.’ Whatever that means, I agree.

STUD: Elijah Hills + Wisconsin’s defensive line

Wisconsin defensive lineman Elijah Hills (94) battles with an offensive lineman during the team’s 14th spring practice, which was held Tuesday morning April 30, 2024 at the McClain Center in Madison, Wisconsin. Credit: Mark Stewart / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Hills was a key force on Wisconsin’s defensive line yet again against Rutgers. He finished with just two tackles, but his presence was clear as Rutgers star RB Kyle Monangai struggled to find any consistent running room.

The Badgers’ 4th-and-1 stop inside their own red zone defined the day on defense. Hills was a big part of that effort.

Advertisement

DUD: Athan Kaliakmanis

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) throws the ball during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

A final passing stat line of 12 for 32 completions, 103 yards, 0 touchdowns and one interception is forgettable, to say the least. It is far from the career day that Kaliakmanis had against the Badgers as a Minnesota Golden Gopher two years ago.

STUD: Vinny Anthony

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) catches the ball during the second half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Advertisement

Another week, another batch of explosive receptions from WR Vinny Anthony. He led the team in receiving with 81 yards. His presence on the outside has made a big difference for Phil Longo’s offensive attack.

STUD: Wisconsin’s coaching staff

Oct 12, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Luke Fickell, Phil Longo and Mike Tressel deserve credit after that performance. The team showed signs of struggle, but it got better as the afternoon continued — a sign of good coaching. The biggest takeaway from the win is that the Badgers are turning a corner and improving every week. That, again, is a testament to the coaching staff.

Advertisement

Follow Badgers Wire

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.





Source link

Advertisement

Wisconsin

President Trump endorses Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin governor

Published

on

President Trump endorses Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin governor


President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, in his bid to be the next governor of Wisconsin.

Trump announced the endorsement Tuesday night, writing on his social media platform Truth Social that Tiffany had his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

“He will fight to advance Common Sense Values, and put WISCONSIN, AND AMERICA, FIRST,” Trump wrote.

News with a little more humanity

WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” newsletter keeps you connected to the state you love without feeling overwhelmed. No paywall. No agenda. No corporate filter.

Advertisement

The endorsement puts to bed the questions of whether — and when — Trump would weigh in on the GOP primary for governor.

Tiffany, who has represented northern Wisconsin’s 7th District in Congress since 2020, was considered an early favorite to clinch the Republican nomination against Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann, but recent fundraising numbers suggested Schoemann could put up a fight.

The backing from Trump has proven critical in Republican primaries across the country, and it’s almost certain to give Tiffany a boost. Four years ago, Trump’s endorsement helped propel businessman Tim Michels over former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch in the 2022 GOP primary for governor.

Advertisement

But whether the president’s nod is a help or a hindrance in the general election is an open question, especially in a cycle that polling suggests could favor Democrats. Four years ago, Michels lost to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in the general election. And almost immediately after Trump’s endorsement Tuesday, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin looked to seize on the president’s support of Tiffany as a condemnation.

“We agree with Donald Trump—Tom Tiffany has been by his side for all of it: ICE murdering Americans in the streets, the Big Ugly Bill, ending funding for the Affordable Care Act, invading Greenland, and raising every day costs,” read a statement from state Democratic Party Chair Devin Remiker. “Donald Trump just made Tom Tiffany the general election nominee, and we will stop him from bringing his chaotic and dangerous agenda in November.”

At least seven candidates are running in the Democratic primary for governor, where many of them have made attacking Trump central to their campaigns. The winner of the general election will replace Evers, who is not seeking a third term.

Trump’s announcement came as part of a slate of endorsements posted to his Truth Social platform late Tuesday evening. He also endorsed Michael Alfonso, who is running for Tiffany’s soon-to-be-vacant seat in Congress.

Alfonso is the 25-year-old son-in-law of U.S. Treasury Secretary Sean Duffy, who represented the 7th District before Tiffany. He’s one of four Republicans running to replace Tiffany.

Advertisement

Trump called Alfonso “a young ‘STAR’.”

In a post on X, Alfonso wrote that it is his “greatest honor to accept this endorsement from President Donald J. Trump,” and pledged “to be a steadfast MAGA warrior.”



Source link

Continue Reading

Wisconsin

Polaris to lay off 200 Wisconsin workers, close facility in Osceola

Published

on

Polaris to lay off 200 Wisconsin workers, close facility in Osceola



The move comes after Polaris announced it was separating from Indian Motorcycle.

Powersports company Polaris has announced it plans to wind down the operations at its facility in Osceola which specializes in manufacturing Indian Motorcycle.

The move impacts roughly 200 Wisconsin workers at the facility.

Advertisement

On Jan. 27, during a fourth quarter and full year earnings call for 2025, Polaris said the company expects to sell Indian Motorcycle by the end of the first quarter of 2026 to Carolwood, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles. However the company plans to maintain some stake in the company.

Polaris officials said called the sale of Indian Motorcycle was a “difficult decision” and added it was a “move that we believe is best for Polaris and Indian Motorcycle.”

In a post on X, Wisconsin Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin said:

“We have seen this story in Wisconsin too many times – a private equity firm buys a company, hollows it out, & fires its workers, all to pad their profits. It’s simply wrong.”



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Wisconsin

Prison ordered in western Wisconsin child porn case

Published

on

Prison ordered in western Wisconsin child porn case





















Prison ordered in western Wisconsin child porn case | News | wqow.com

We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which
enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time.

For any issues, contact news@wqow.com or call 715-835-1881.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending