Wisconsin football coach Gary Andersen spoke with the media Tuesday morning on the Big Ten's weekly coaches teleconference ahead of the Badgers' game against Nebraska.
Andersen briefly cited linebacker Vince Biegel and running back Melvin Gordon for their play in Wisconsin's 34-16 victory against Purdue, looked ahead to Nebraska, discussed his defense's success and praised Cornhuskers running back Ameer Abdullah.
Here is the full transcript of Andersen's conference call:
Andersen: Vince Biegel is one of the kids that I'd like to throw out there real quick. He's gotten better and better every week. Tremendous game and was honored this week with the Big Ten, which was great for him. He's very excited about that.
Melvin, again, over 200 yards rushing. Did a tremendous job for us. The offense always gets clicking, and it starts with him. It doesn't stop with him. But it definitely starts with him. I'm proud of his accomplishments.
Moving into this week's game, I feel a very, very good team. Had an opportunity now to watch a bunch of tape on them in all three phases. As I start defensively with Nebraska, very solid, well coached, very good scheme. Coach (Bo) Pelini, all of his guys do a good job. But the things that jump out at me are the defensive front. I think my eyes are always drawn there because of my coaching background. It's a very stout, physical, talented defensive line. That'll be a tremendous matchup between our offensive line and their defensive line without doubt.
If you flip it over to the offensive side of the football, Abdullah is everything I've heard he's supposed to be he is when you start watching tape on him. We haven't had a whole bunch of crossover tape, at least that I've seen with Nebraska this year. And now sitting back and watching him, he is not a good running back, he's a great running back. I believe we've got the best in the country right here coming at you. The Big Ten has three very, very talented backs. We all know that and up for a lot of honors. But it's going to be fun to watch those two kids tee off against each other this weekend.
The offense is complemented with some very, very good players across the board. Talented wide receivers. Very athletic quarterback that manages the game well and a talented offensive line. It's going to be a great matchup. Looking forward to it. Hopefully we get some good weather, and we'll see what happens.
Question: What was your biggest concern about your defense entering the season? And is there one thing that has surprised you thus far?
Andersen: I'd probably answer both those questions with youth. The youth was a big question mark. They were willing to come in and have the physicality and the mindset, pre-snap awareness, all the things we worry about on defense. That's what the youth has handled the best. That's been very, very encouraging to watch those kids. It's still a long ways to go before you can say what you were at the end of the year. What they are right now is they've done some great things and their mindset has got to be to continue that against a great offense this week as we all know.
That's exactly what I would say. The youth concerned me and now I'm very proud of the way the youth has developed. And the youth has really developed because of the assistant coaches, the youth themselves accepting the role and the leaders of the defense. When I say that, Michael Caputo, Derek Landisch and Warren Herring and Darius Hillary have done a tremendous job of leading the youth. Don't let me forget Marcus Trotter on that too. I can't forget that guy.
Question: On your defense, is it a good problem to have that one person doesn't always lead the team in tackles?
Andersen: I think it is. Different guys are stepping up each week and doing some good things for us. It's great to see. You look at the stats and you're right, one guy has a terrific game one week. The next guy kind of pops up and has a terrific game. They're all contributing.
I think that's kind of a sign of who this defense is. There's a lot of guys that play within the scheme and understand their responsibilities. That's important to them to if it's hold down the A gap, hold down the A gap. If it's not an A gap play, let another guy make that play. I want them to have a little bit of selfishness to want to make every tackle. That's part of being a defender. That's part of being a great athlete, I believe. But these kids have done a nice job of handling their duties for the most part.
Question: There's been talk about the Big Ten schedule in terms of cross-divisional games and how the top-tier teams haven't had a chance to play each other. Will nine conference games help that, or will there always be inequities there?
Andersen: I'm sure there will always be some questions. Year in and year out, who's going to be in the driver's seat when you get late in the year, who's playing well, who's not playing well? But nine games should help that. You'll have more crossover games so you're going to have more whatever you want to call those, the quality matchups or big-time matchups depending on the year as time goes by.
Question: Are you hoping Ameer Abdullah is at full strength when you guys play?
Andersen: Yeah, for him I absolutely do. You can take that for whatever it's worth. But for myself, just being around him, I didn't say more than three words to the young man at the Big Ten. Just listening to him talk and the presentation that he gave, he deserves the opportunity to go through this year and be at the top of his game. He missed one game right now with the injury that he had. You'd hope that kid with the class act that he is, the way he represents the Big Ten, I'd put him right there with Melvin.
Obviously I know Melvin a lot better. But in my opinion, you're talking about two quality young men who play at the highest level and are the best of the best at what they do at their position. But what they do off the field is more important. So because of that, I would truly hope he's 100 percent and he can participate in this game.
Question: Was his most impressive play this year the run against McNeese State or something else?
Andersen: The guy has a highlight reel. There's a bunch of plays. That play is unbelievable because of the timing I would suppose. Also, it makes it even more incredible.
He has some runs that are even five- or six-yard runs where he's cutting and moving and bobbing and weaving and then being physical at the end of the run that are just as impressive to me as a football coach. They may not make the sports highlight reel, but they make a coach's highlight reel.
Follow Jesse Temple on Twitter
