Badgers fans cautiously optimistic as Wisconsin wins Jim Leonhard's debut
Columnist Jim Polzin took the pulse of Badgers fans on Twitter after Wisconsin's 42-7 victory over Northwestern to open the Jim Leonhard era. Here's what they are saying.
Who called the plays?
Seems like PC had more to say about the offensive play calling than we were led to believe.
— Zach Kirchenwitz (@zkirchenwitz) October 8, 2022
Bring the guts
Chimere Dike with an outstanding day coupled with Graham Mertz throwing for five touchdowns. Add the first win for Coach Leonhard and the Badgers set the tone from the beginning that they meant business. Congratulations to the entire team on a gutsy victory!
— Jeff Ostach☮️ (@jeff_ostach) October 8, 2022
What did he say!?
By how many touchdowns will Wisconsin beat Ohio State in Indy? 😁
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) October 8, 2022
Tough week ends great
The team played like they actually cared. What a concept. Kudos to the coaches and players… ended a tough week with a great W against a terrible team. Keep it up!
— Mark Wolfgram (@markwwolfgram) October 8, 2022
Best start
Not only did they win, they won at Northwestern, after a crazy week, throwing the ball all over the field, and they won going away. Wow… seriously impressed. Couldn’t have gone any better for the first game for Coach Leonhard.
— Badger Steve 🧀🍺🦌 (@UW_Steve) October 8, 2022
Have a game
Hard to say against a bad NW team. But it shows that when Mertz has a clean pocket, he's a damn good QB. Still missed on a few, but better decisions were made. Weird to watch them score 42 without a rush TD. Good to win to build confidence going into next week.
— Swagula420 (@LordFrakula) October 8, 2022
See you in New York City
Is it too late for Mertz’s Heisman campaign?
— Average Joe (@signaturedish33) October 8, 2022
Red, red pants
Wisconsin when wearing red pants this season: 2-0
— Blake R. Weiner (@BlakeWeiner) October 8, 2022
Wisconsin when not wearing red pants this season: 1-3
Return to normalcy?
Everyone is going to say it was only Northwestern but today Mertz looked comfortable and like he had more freedom. Defense was more physical than previous games. Still a long season but this looked more like Badgers teams I am used to seeing
— Mark Meddings (@MeddingsMark1) October 8, 2022
Flowing emotions
Emotion showed today from the first snap. It’s been missing most of the year. And, they had fun! Go Badgers!
— Tammy 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@TammyHuskyMom) October 8, 2022
Yet they beat Nebraska ...
Northwestern may be the absolute worst football team in Division I.
— Kevin Everard (@kever3) October 8, 2022
More to prove
Meaningless, I'll wait to see how the team does against better competition under Leonhard.
— Tim Snell (@tj_snell) October 8, 2022
Lost in the fun
I guess it’s fine, although I did miss my Saturday afternoon nap I usually catch during the game.
— numbWIsportsfan (@RIPReggieK) October 8, 2022
Modern look
Finally an offensive game plan that isn't 20 years old!
— Jon Meck - Khash Money Stan (@BleedBadgerRed) October 8, 2022
Great teams cover
They covered the spread. Most important thing of the day
— BrockinSB (@HiuraFan) October 8, 2022
You're saying there's a chance?
Path to the Big Ten West Title still exists.
— Trent Probst (@coachprobst) October 8, 2022
Spartans will?
Spartans may prove a stronger opponent and a better test of Wisconsin’s prowess.
— Michael Olneck (@OlneckMolneck) October 8, 2022
How much?
— Christopher Dalton (@_Chipz) October 8, 2022
Let's not get carried away
I want Alabama !!! :)
— david richard (@drg1961) October 8, 2022
Lost
Leipold
— @birdieparbirdie (@birdieparbirdi1) October 8, 2022
The Badgers offense featured new looks and set a school record in a drubbing of Northwestern. What can fans expect to carry forward in the second half of the season?
Here's how the "start of a new era" played out for Jim Leonhard in his debut as Wisconsin's interim football coach.
The offensive line and linebacking corps were hampered by injuries, calling on a handful of players to step up against Northwestern.
It was an emotional week for Badgers players and staffers. The team overcame them and responded with a win.
Thoughts on a Badgers linebacker stepping into a new role, the wildcat formation, a surprising freshman and more.
The focus may have been on UW's new interim coach, but that doesn't mean the victory didn't shed some light on more than how Jim Leonhard handled the move.
Wisconsin now holds only three healthy quarterbacks on its roster after the California native announced his intentions of entering the transfer portal.
A key member of the Wisconsin backfield is out for at least this week and likely longer.
The junior and Utah transfer is the first Badgers player to earn a weekly Big Ten honor this season.
UW Hall of Famer Joe Thomas went through a half-dozen coaching changes as a player. Here's his advice to the current Badgers.
The Badgers are 41-3 since 2015 when winning the turnover battle, and 11-0 in such games with Graham Mertz as starting quarterback.
BadgerExtra columnist Jim Polzin answers questions from readers in his weekly mailbag.
The second-highest-rated recruit in program history never got his career off the ground after injuries kept him out of practice often.
Badgers interim coach Jim Leonhard told reporters offensive tackle Logan Brown was dismissed from the program.
Hurricane Ian barreled through Southwest Florida late last month near Jake Chaney's hometown. Here's how the inside linebacker continues to separate football from life, and who he's leaning on.
