The Wisconsin football staff has been focused on improving specific areas of their game this off-season, and particularly during camp.
A season ago, Wisconsin finished with a 7-6 record including a bowl game loss to the LSU Tigers and currently starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. The Wisconsin staff has been vocal about failing to meet their own expectations across the board last season, and now the staff is eager to make serious changes. One particular change the staff is looking for out of the defense involves ‘shifting the momentum back’ after allowing big plays.
Wisconsin Badgers Football Staff Eyeing a Strong, Confident Defense During 2024 Season
One of the areas the Wisconsin football staff has honed in on during off-season camp has been the defense heading into next season. Last season, Wisconsin displayed a formidable defense, but had their moments and struggles in specific areas as well. Wisconsin football Head Coach Luke Fickell stated at the start of camp that he feels the team can improve upon ‘All three phases of football’.
On the defensive side of the ball, Wisconsin has been focused upon getting pressure towards the quarterback and ensuring the pocket does not stay clean like last season. Through the first week of practice, the Badgers have put a focus on the defensive side of the ball.
How Can the Wisconsin Football Team Improve Open Their Defensive Momentum?
One of the key things that Coach Fickell stated during his media availability is that the defense needs to focus upon shifting the momentum ‘back’. However, Fickell never quite stated how he is looking for the defense to accomplish this task. The Coach stated, “We are going to get on the defense about that and find ways to shift the momentum back.”
Perhaps one of the ways the Wisconsin defense can improve upon momentum situations involves their third-down conversion rate. The Badgers allowed a 39.25% conversion rate on third-downs last season, which is not a bad rate, but an area that allows a team to gain momentum. Limiting long yardage third-down conversions especially could be an area Wisconsin focuses on since they allowed multiple conversions that were ten or more yards away.
Another area Wisconsin could improve upon to allow the defense to shift the momentum in their favor involves getting after the quarterback. Wisconsin sacked the opposing quarterback 23 times last season but allowed for their quarterback to be sacked 29 times. The sack numbers for the Wisconsin football defense were tremendously low, and allowed for serious momentum and morale killing plays to occur.
What is Coach Fickell Looking For From the Defense In Regards to Momentum?
What Coach Fickell meant and broke down in his answer is that the Wisconsin football defense needs to be resilient this season. Fickell noted the team as a whole struggled with on field adversity last season, but in particular he found the defense to struggle with bouncing back. Perhaps it is a combination of the lack of pressure applied last season, or the unit that was on the field.
Regardless, Fickell stated that the staff is committed to working with the defense to finds ways to limit the offense from gaining momentum. Fickell stated, “I think it was obvious when you saw the momentum shift to the offense today.” The coach also stressed the importance of shifting the momentum back in favor of the defense, and stated, “That is what we didn’t do there to end practice today.”
Fickell also stressed that these live football practice situations allow for the coaching staff to properly see how momentum can affect a game. The staff plans on working closely with the defense during the next few practices to implement different mental and physical plans.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter (X) @JarrettGuerrera, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on all things Wisconsin sports, click here
Mayfield Sports Marketing
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion. Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows. To learn more about Packers players or alumni appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today. www.MayfieldSports.com
