Local players provide key contributions in Wisconsin's shocker
Several area players were part of the University of Wisconsin's massive upset against LSU on Saturday, taking place at Camp Randall Stadium. The Badgers won the game, 16-14, thanks to a field goal with less than 4 minutes to go and a huge performance overall by the UW defense.
TJ Watt (Pewaukee) had seven tackles and a quarterback hurry on the final series of the game, where the Badgers sealed the outcome after an interception by D'cota Dixon. Alec James (Brookfield East) logged a sack, Chikwe Obasih (Brookfield Central) had three tackles, and Zack Baun (Brown Deer) registered his first NCAA tackle, as well, tackling Derrius Guice short of the 20 on a kickoff when he elected to take a kick out of the end zone.
On offense, Jacob Maxwell (Greendale) and Beau Benzshawel (Grafton) started on the offensive line, and Arrowhead’s Billy Hirschfeld also saw the field.
Brookfield East's Connor Allen, a backup kicker, is the holder and was thus a key part of the go-ahead field goal by Rafael Gaglianone in the final minutes.
While that's the biggest story of the weekend, several area alums are starting their college and pro seasons. Here's a full rundown of players from the coverage area participating on the next level(s).
Ben Bredeson, Michigan (Arrowhead). The highly-regarded recruit challenged to start at left tackle and ultimately started his team’s opener against Hawaii at left guard. Early reviews of his performance were positive. The Wolverines faithful are pretty excited about what he’ll bring to the table for the foreseeable future.
Nate Tanguay, North Dakota State (Mukwonago). Tanguay logged five tackles, including one for loss, in his team’s overtime thriller over Charleston Southern. The defensive tackle is one of the leaders of the powerhouse Bison, unanimously ranked No. 1 in FCS.
Alec Kocour, Illinois State (Catholic Memorial). Kocour logged three tackles as the Redbirds crushed Valparaiso in their opener, 50-13.
Levon Myers, Northern Illinois (Franklin). The starting left tackle at NIU helped his team rack up 329 yards passing and 133 rushing against Wyoming on Sept. 4, but the Cowboys won the game in triple overtime, 40-34.
Drew Patterson, UW-Whitewater (Hamilton). The local empire opened with a 51-3 win over TCNJ, and Sussex Hamilton had a big influence as Patterson had three touchdowns before halftime and Tony Gumina added another. Mitchell Dess of South Milwaukee racked up 79 yards receiving, and Oconomowoc’s Canton Larson and Greendale’s Josh Ringelberg both caught touchdowns.
In the NFL
JJ Watt, Houston Texans (Pewaukee). Fresh off his third NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, Watt was dealing with some offseason back surgery that threw his availability for opening day into question. But it’s looking a little more likely that Watt will, in fact, see the field.
Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns (Brookfield Central). Thomas apparently never sought a trade in the offseason from Cleveland and will soldier on for the Browns, where he is perhaps the NFL’s best player (ever?) to not see the playoffs in his career.
Brad Nortman, Jacksonville Jaguars (Brookfield Central). After appearing in last year’s Super Bowl with the Panthers, Nortman signed a multi-year deal with the Jaguars in the offseason.
Ben Gardner, San Diego Chargers (Homestead). Gardner, who has been limited by injuries in his career and hasn’t yet seen an NFL snap after getting drafted out of Stanford, was placed on the Chargers practice squad.
Marwin Evans, Green Bay Packers (Oak Creek). The unlikely success story has been great to follow for Evans, who was undrafted and worked his way onto the local team’s roster as a safety. My recent podcast with Bob McGinn chatted at length about Evans.
Joe Schobert, Cleveland Browns (Waukesha West). Cleveland media caught on to the canonical story about how Schobert wound up at Wisconsin when he was ticketed to walk on at North Dakota. The rookie linebacker is ready for his first NFL season.
Joel Stave, Minnesota Vikings (Whitnall). For a time, it looked like Stave could have the inside track to become the Vikings’ backup quarterback following an injury to starter Teddy Bridgewater, but the team ultimately released Stave – but the Vikings did sign him to their practice squad.
Others in the NFL: Rick Wagner, Baltimore Ravens (West Allis Hale); Derek Watt, San Diego Padres (Pewaukee); Nick Bellore, San Francisco 49ers (Whitefish Bay)