Gary Andersen: Badgers must 'sustain' success, finish season strong
Gary Andersen met with local media members following Thursday's practice for the final time before No. 22 Wisconsin plays host to No. 11 Nebraska on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in Camp Randall Stadium. Here's what the Badgers' head coach had to say:
Question: How much time did you spend practicing outside this week?
Andersen: Like today's practice was an hour and 15 minutes, we were out there for 20. We were out there yesterday for seven or eight periods, and then the day before the offense took almost all the reps outside that they needed. Not quite 50-50, but we've been out there quite a bit. It was great today because all special teams in there was snow. So it was nice. Maybe we'll kick the ball in the snow a little bit. I guess that's good. It could snow. We'll see.
Question: Do you have any concerns about the weather affecting what you want to do?
Andersen: It won't play a factor at all. I think our kids are ready to play in whatever weather that comes our way and I think we're built to be able to deal with the weather and we know eventually it's going to come our way.
Question: Have you seen Melvin Gordon extra motivated this week?
Andersen: Nope. I always see a ton out of Melvin in practice. His practice habits are off the charts. I don't know if they could get any better.
Question: Do you have an update on fullback Derek Watt and defensive end Konrad Zagzebski?
Andersen: Both should play.
Question: Do you see the players bubbling up for a big game like this?
Andersen: I think you see that regardless of your opponent in the last three games of the season. I always build up to the last three regular-season games. I think it's important. We talk all the time about anybody in the world can start something, whatever that may be. It may be a diet, it might be a new job, it might be a marriage, whatever. But that's easy to do.
It's hard to sustain it, and we've gone through that part. We've sustained pretty well. But the ability to finish is what gives you the opportunity to be elite in athletics and, in my opinion, in life. We harp on that all year. That's where we're at the last three games. So I would hope that they would start to understand that a little bit.
This is coming to a close and if they want to be special, be elite, be great, they've got to find a way to finish. I think that gets you going a little bit. But it's Nebraska, man. This is a big-time game and it's an opportunity for these kids to compete and it is a game on our schedule. But kids are kids. They know what's going on.
Question: Do you feel better about your kickoff coverage compared to earlier in the week, or do you have to see it on the field?
Andersen: Absolutely, you've got to see it on the field. I need to see us kick it. I need to see us cover it. I know we've had some great moments and we've had some very subpar moments. But right now at a crucial time, end of the season, toward the end of the season here, we've got to be real careful there. And we need to improve. But I've got to see it on the field.
Question: Is there a team you have faced this season that Nebraska compares to that is the total package offensively?
Andersen: No, not the total package. There's some Maryland in them the way they want to (have) multiple formations, the way they spread the field, the way they cause a lot of abnormal situations that you don't normally see in offensive football. I mean that in a good way, from formation types to things that they do, the athletic quarterback.
As you look back, this is the most athletic kid I think we've seen at the quarterback spot. It's very, very multiple. And then their ability to just jump in and say, hey we're going to pound the ball at you like South Florida wanted to do. So nobody we've faced, but different pieces of different teams we've faced.
Question: Do you have an injury update on offensive lineman Aidan McNamara?
Andersen: He's got a leg injury and he should be back for spring ball, but he'll be out for the rest of the season.
Question: Are there any other injuries?
Andersen: Nope. None. Feel good about them.
Question: Do you like the way your quarterbacks have handled the two-quarterback situation?
Andersen: I'm proud of them because they have. They've got a smile on their face. They know the direction that they're headed. They know the expectation level is to compete when they're given the opportunity and perform at a very high level and they've done that. They're in a good spot.
Question: What have you seen in Melvin Gordon and Ameer Abdullah?
Andersen: First of all, from what I know of Ameer is he's a tremendous young man. I know he's a tremendous football player, and Melvin's exactly the same. I've talked long and hard about Melvin and what my thoughts are on him. You've got two of the best in the country. Are they the two best in the country? I often say I don't know. I haven't studied every running back. But these are two young men that I've studied very closely now with Abdullah this last week, and he's a great running back.
He's not a good running back, he's a great running back and he's an elite running back. And I've known that about Melvin for a very long time. So it's going to be fun to watch them go head to head. I'm Melvin's guy. Melvin's in our corner. So I think Melvin's the best. But Mr. Abdullah may be right behind him.
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