![]() Illinois essentially beat Wisconsin at its own game Saturday, outrushing the Badgers 137-2 and collecting five sacks. Wisconsin hasn’t looked like itself so far, piling up penalties and missing consistent production from the offensive line that the Badgers typically get. The wide-open nature of the Big Ten West, where every team has at least one conference loss, means they still have a chance of competing for the division title.įirst they must get back to playing the way they usually do. They want to avoid their first losing season since a 5-7 finish in 2001. The Badgers believe they can still make something of this year. “That's why I came back a number of years ago. “I feel like I can take this opportunity and help this place grow,” Leonhard said. The last seven regular-season games now essentially serve as an audition as Leonhard tries to show he should have the job for keeps. “(For) a majority of these players, a huge determining factor in coming to Wisconsin was coach Chryst,” Leonhard said. Outside linebacker Nick Herbig tweeted, “Still at a loss 4 words, but one thing I do know is we playing this season for you Coach!! Love you beyond measure." Running back Braelon Allen tweeted, “Anyone who wanted Coach Chryst gone isn’t a part of this team.” Wisconsin players conveyed their support of Chryst via social media on Sunday night. Leonhard’s immediate task is to boost the spirits of players stunned by their coach’s abrupt exit as they get ready to visit Northwestern (1-4, 1-1) on Saturday. “I’m confident nobody can do it better at this moment in time than Jim,” McIntosh said. Wisconsin allowed the fewest yards per game and yards per play of any Football Bowl Subdivision team last year. Leonhard’s defenses annually have ranked among the nation’s best, though the Badgers have taken a step back this season after replacing eight of their top 10 tacklers. Leonhard noted he had no coaching experience when Chryst put him on Wisconsin’s staff. Chryst was on the staff during Leonhard’s college playing career. The moment was still difficult for Leonhard because it came at Chryst’s expense. “To have an opportunity to be in this position is not one that I take lightly.” “I really became who I am at the University of Wisconsin and in this football program and around so many people that are still here today,” said Leonhard, who turns 40 on Oct. He joined Chryst’s staff at Wisconsin in 2016 and became defensive coordinator the following year. Leonhard, a former walk-on, developed into an All-American at Wisconsin before beginning a 10-year NFL career. Selecting Leonhard as interim head coach wasn’t nearly as surprising as the decision to make a change in the first place. Wisconsin and Chryst have agreed on an $11 million buyout that the University of Wisconsin Foundation will pay. That led to athletic director Chris McIntosh’s midseason decision to fire Chryst, a former Wisconsin player who had gone 67-26 since taking over in 2015.
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