badgers – MDHQ

Wisconsin Coach Tweets His Starting Quarterback

D. Wash — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 17:28:42 +0000

This has to be a social media first. Instead of putting out a press release or going on television, Bret Bielema decided to simply announce his starter in 140 characters or less:

Also had so many questions about our QB situation that want everyone to know we are going to start Danny O’Brien in our opener against UNI.

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) August 20, 2012

Maybe Montee Ball can tweet what really cost him to get jumped?

Update: Madison Police Determine Montee Ball Was Present at Fight Prior to Attack

D. Wash — Sat, 04 Aug 2012 22:25:52 +0000

If you have been following this story, Montee Ball was attacked a few days ago five-on-one by a few angry guys in Madison, Wisconsin. He tried to play it as a totally unprovoked attack but police didn’t buy it. It just isn’t often your STAR football player on campus gets attacked by five guys for no reason.

If only Montee took my advice of sticking to the Fifth Amendment…

Now the Heisman candidate may be in hot water if he gave any false information to authorities (yes, thats illegal). TMZ reports:

“The Madison Police Department, through information developed by detectives, have determined that there was a fight that occurred Friday night (July 27th-28th) which involved UW students, members of the UW football team, and other individuals that were not affiliated with the University of Wisconsin’s Athletics Department. We have also determined that Montee Ball was present at the location of that fight, but we have no information that leads us to believe that he had any involvement in that particular event.

“There was one individual that did sustain an injury during the fight, and was subsequently treated at a local hospital for that injury. There is a potential for charges to be pursued, related to the investigated fight, but no charges have been filed. As this investigation is ongoing, specific details outlining the identities of either victims or involved parties are not being released.”

Updated Advice to Monty: if you lied, COME CLEAN and play the scared kid card! And if you did ANYTHING illegal to any of those five guys retain a lawyer RIGHT NOW!

Montee Ball Hospitalized After Attack

D. Wash — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:12:03 +0000

Wisconsin running back Montee Ball was attacked last night in Madison in an unprovoked attack. It is sad that these things still happen, but it goes to show just because you are the big man on campus it doesn’t mean that everyone is going to treat you as such. Good thing is that Montee was not seriously harmed. He will be available to start the season for the Badgers.

Here is the police report:

A 21-year old man was attacked while walking in the 500 block of University Ave. early this morning. Witnesses said five men jumped the victim. He was knocked to the ground and kicked. The victim was taken to a hospital with head injuries. It does not appear he knew his attackers and this is being investigated as an unprovoked assault. The criminals were last seen running south on N. Frances St. toward the Kohl Center.

2012 NFL Mock Draft: Montee Ball’s Stock

D. Wash — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 20:33:26 +0000

As we get closer and closer to the 2012 NFL Draft, a prospect I see shooting up the boards here on MDHQ is Wisconsin’s running back Montee Ball. Montee is a great runner, and has some of the best stats in the Nation at the position. As a matter of fact, as write this now he is the Nation’s leader in rushing touchdowns. Ball’s stats right now have compiled up to 248 attempts for 1622 yards and 29 touchdowns. That is no typo. 29.

The thing that I see about Ball is that he is a former fat kid, and that is always a red flag. I call that the “Mike Williams” factor. What happens when he gets that first million dollar check? Does he stay in shape or will he revert back to BIG BOY status? It’s not a dig at him but it’s something to think about.

When I watch Ball play I get reminded a lot of former Packers RB Ahman Green. I think Ball has that similar “one cut and go” style of running and is a deceptively punishing runner. Though Green caught the ball out the backfield better, Montee has time to get better as a pass catcher.

When you watch footage of Montee Ball something pops out at you: Wisconsin’s offensive line is real. In his clips, literally you see NO defenders get a push on the line. Konz and that group up front are no joke!

All in all, I think Montee Ball will come out of school and if I was making my 2012 NFL Mock Draft I’d have him in the 22-40 range to a contender without a consistent threat at the position.

No Heisman For You: Russell Wilson and Wisconsin Lose at Michigan State

D. Wash — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:05:43 +0000

Russell Wilson has 1391 yards, 13 touchdowns and 1 int this year

If you asked me who was going to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy last week, I instantly would have told you Russell Wilson from Wisconsin. After the season that he’s had, all Russ really had to do was find a way to keep the badgers undefeated and they practically would have been forced to hand him the Heisman in New York City.

His stats have been incredible: 1780 yards, 16 tds, only 3 picks, and 3 rushing tds to top it off. But when you fumble, miss open receivers, and lose the most exciting game of the year it’s hard for Heisman voters to ignore you.

(Blacksportsonline)

However with the loss Wilson slips back behind undefeated passer Andrew Luck, fellow first time loser Landry Jones, and possibly Boise’s undefeated Kellen Moore. Trent Richardson is making it hard to deny him of first place votes as well. Tyrann Mathieu was suspended for testing positive for synthetic marijuana allegedly so his Heisman hopes are probably dashed as well.

Video: Russell Wilson’s TD Catch

D. Wash — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:45:42 +0000

Russell Wilson has 1391 yards, 13 touchdowns and 1 int this year

If you have been following the Heisman Race you know that there is a good crop of college QBs that could win it this year. Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Landry Jones, and Kellen Moore are in that class. The only problem is that none of those QBs have really had a “Heisman Moment” to cement his legendary collegiate status… that may be until now.

We all saw Andrew Luck’s one hander. But it did not go for any yards. Russell Wilson not only caught a pass, he housed it as well. It feels like the Troy Smith all over again. Russell Wilson isn’t the BEST QB in the nation and probably won’t go pro. But he has the best stats on a team that is incredibly dominant.

Check out Russ getting his Chris Johnson on below:

2012 Heisman Watch: Russell Wilson

D. Wash — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:42:53 +0000

Russell Wilson has 1391 yards, 13 touchdowns and 1 int this year

Ask any ACC fan and they will tell you Russell Wilson has been showing game breaking ability for the past two seasons. Finally, however, Wilson has a big stage to do it on with his Wisconsin Badgers. That stage has brought Wilson National attention and Heisman trophy hype!

Consider Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson’s Heisman campaign officially underway. On a grand stage that included a prime time audience and a pair of top-10 teams in what was one of the most-anticipated home games in Wisconsin football history, the Badgers’ graduate transfer quarterback put on a memorable performance.

Wilson threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a third to lead No. 7 Wisconsin to a 48-17 victory over No. 8Nebraska to spoil the Cornhuskers’ Big Ten debut.

Source: Profootballtalk

Im not saying that if the Heisman were to be given out today Wilson would definitely win it. He would be right in the mix with Kellen Moore and Andrew Luck. Every game Wilson gets closer and closer to that #1 spot and ultimately could be the guy the downtown athletic club hands the little bronze statue to at the end of the year.

Russell Wilson Chooses Wisconsin

D. Wash — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:04:15 +0000

Russell Wilson had a decision to make this summer after graduating from NC State. Would he continue playing football, where would he play, or would he choose to play professional baseball instead?

Wilson ultimately decided that this fall, and this is tough, he will be taking his talents to the Wisconsin Badgers. He should fit right in with what they do on offense and make them an early favorite to challenge the throne that Terrelle Pryor and the Ohio State Buckeyes have left open.

I predicted this a few days in a previous article where I wrote:

If you have to make me bet, I’d put my dinero down on Russell throwing passes for the Badgers this fall. I’m not sure if the shoes of an ICON AND ENTERTAINER are those you want to fill.

So time for another prediction?

Your 2011 Big Ten Champions will be….

…….the Michigan State Spartans.

The Rise of JJ Watt Continues

D. Wash — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:59:00 +0000

Just a week ago many people in the draft community were excited over the play of Wisconsin’s Junior DE JJ Watt in their win over Ohio State. Watt was virtually unblockable in that game and constantly pressured Terrelle Pryor throughout the contest.

Many people began to say JJ Watt could be a first rounder off that game alone, and Watt even began to pop up in the first round on a couple mocks here on MDHQ. Though it seemed like hype to begin, Watt’s continuing to dominate Big Ten competition.

Against the Iowa Hawkeyes Watt’s nonstop motor once again became a focal point of the opposition’s pass protection. And again, there was little they could do to outright block the man. Watt for the second week in a row ended the game with a QB pressure.

Will Watt end up in the first round? A week ago it seemed like all hype. But if he continues to play at this pace, there will be no denying that NFL scouts will be salivating should JJ decide to enter the pros early.