Weekend Warriors: TJ Watt, Conor Blount, Sean McGuire shine
It was another huge day for the Badgers and one area alumnus in particular over the weekend, with several other local products enjoying fine days in the college and pro level.
Pewaukee's TJ Watt was named Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week, a national award after Watt's superb performance is Wisconsin's stunning 30-6 victory over host Michigan State on Saturday.
The Badgers, now the No. 8 team in the country, delivered a spectacular defensive performance overall. Watt had 3.5 tackles for loss overall (six total), and 2.5 of those were sacks. He now has 4.5 sacks on the season, and he's the first Badger to win the honor since Scott Starks in 2004.
Zack Baun (Brown Deer) and Alec James (Brookfield East) both had two tackles in the win that moved the Badgers to 4-0. Brett Connors (New Berlin West) made his first start at center, joining Jacob Maxwell (Greendale) and Beau Benzschawel (Grafton) on the offensive line.
Blount surprises at Oregon State
Elsewhere, the story of the week for area players was Conor Blount (Waukesha West), a walk-on freshman quarterback at Oregon State, playing for former Wisconsin Badgers coach Gary Andersen. Blount entered the game against Boise State as an injury replacement and impressed with his poise, even in defeat. Blount has made a rapid ascent up the depth chart for the Beavers and will start the team's Pac-12 opener if starter Darell Garretson is unable.
McGuire shines for Leathernecks
Western Illinois is 3-0 after beating Northern Illinois on Saturday, 28-23, and Sean McGuire (Franklin) threw for 315 yards and a touchdown. He also ran five times for 18 yards and a score. For the year, he's thrown for 760 yards and four touchdowns.
Drew Patterson (Sussex Hamilton ) ran for another 103 yards and a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass (2 catches, 51 yards) in a win for UW-Whitewater over Morningside of Iowa on Saturday. Tony Gumina (Sussex Hamilton) and Canton Larson (Oconomowoc) had TD catches, as well, with Matt Seitz (Arrowhead) notching two tackles for loss among his eight tackles, Colin Buck (Franklin) recording an interception and five tackles and Kyle Schiedemeyer (Sussex Hamilton) also getting into the defensive act with six tackles.
Ben Bredeson (Arrowhead) and the University of Michigan will welcome Wisconsin next weekend to the Big House. The Wolverines are now the No. 4 team in the country.
UW-Oshkosh is 3-0 after pounding Morthland College, 77-0. Touchdowns came from Chad Walton (Franklin), Andy Jones (Cedarburg) in the rushing department, and Dom Todarello (Arrowhead) caught two touchdowns. Other receiving scores came from CJ Blackburn (Waukesha North), Robbie Bell (Franklin) and Evan Thammahong (Waukesha West). Landon McDonald (Brookfield East) had a fumble recovery.
In the pros
Ricky Wagner (West Allis Hale) and the Baltimore Ravens are 3-0. Pro Football Focus had a strong grade for the right tackle in the team's 19-17 win over Jacksonville.
Would the Minnesota Vikings pursue Cleveland Browns superstar offensive lineman Joe Thomas (Brookfield Central)?